Solved with COMSOL Multiphysics 4.

3b

Topology Optimization of an MBB

Beam
Introduction
Topology optimization in a structural mechanics context can answer the question:
Given that you know the loads on the structure, which distribution of the available
material maximizes stiffness? Such investigations typically occur during the concept
design stages.
This topology optimization example demonstrates how to use penalization method
(SIMPS) to obtain the optimal material distribution in the
Messerschmitt-Blkow-Blohm beam (MBB).

Note: This model is also used in Introduction to the Optimization Module.

Model Definition
The model studies optimal material distribution in the beam, which consists of a linear
elastic material, structural steel. The dimensions of the beam region6 meters by 1
meter by 0.5 metersmeans a total weight of 23,550 kg. In the material, the stress
tensor is considered to be a function of Youngs modulus E and the artificial density,
. The structure is defined by
E ( x ) = ( x )E 0 ,

(1)

( x ) = ( x ) 0 ,
x ,
where (x) is 0 (no material) or 1 (material).
The beam is fixed at the bottom left and rests on a roller in the bottom right end. An
edge load affects the beam in the top middle part (Figure 1). The objective functional
for the optimization, which defines the criterion for optimality, is the total strain
energy in this model. Note that the strain energy exactly balances the work done by the
applied load, so minimizing the strain energy effectively minimizes the displacement

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induced at the points where load is applied, effectively minimizing the compliance of
the structure.

Load on boundary

Fixed boundary

Roller

Figure 1: Geometry of the beam with loads and constraints.

To determine the optimal topology, the following SIMPS model for Youngs modulus
E is used
p

E ( x ) = design ( x ) E 0 ,

(2)

where p is a penalty parameter. Penalty parameter values greater than 1 promote the
development of a binary structure. In this model, p is set to 5.
The control variable is design, which can be interpreted as a generalized material
density, is required to satisfy the following constraints:

0 design ( x ) d A,

(3)

0 design ( x ) 1,
where A is the area of the design domain (the entire beam geometry) times an area
fraction, which is set to 0.5.

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Results
The following plot shows the control variable distribution for the optimized solution.
The resultant design is an approximation of a truss structure.

Figure 2: A plot of the control variable design for the optimized solution.

Notes About the COMSOL Implementation

Solid Mechanics interface represents the structural properties of the beam, while an
Optimization interface allows to add the control variable, objective, and constraints for
the optimization problem. The internal strain energy is a predefined variable, solid.Ws
readily available to use as the objective function for the optimization problem.

Model Library path: Optimization_Module/Topology_Optimization/

mbb_beam_optimization

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Modeling Instructions
MODEL WIZARD

1 Go to the Model Wizard window.

2 Click the 2D button.
3 Click Next.
4 In the Add physics tree, select Structural Mechanics>Solid Mechanics (solid).
5 Click Add Selected.
6 In the Add physics tree, select Mathematics>Optimization and Sensitivity>Optimization
(opt).
7 Click Add Selected.
8 Click Next.
9 Find the Studies subsection. In the tree, select Preset Studies for Selected
Physics>Stationary.
10 Click Finish.
GLOBAL DEFINITIONS

Parameters
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Global Definitions and choose Parameters.
2 In the Parameters settings window, locate the Parameters section.
3 In the table, enter the following settings:
Name

Expression

Description

F_load

50[kN/m]

Edge load

area_frac

0.5

Area fraction

Exponent in model for Young's modulus

reg_param

100

Regularization parameter

GEOMETRY 1

Rectangle 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1 right-click Geometry 1 and choose
Rectangle.
2 In the Rectangle settings window, locate the Size section.
3 In the Width edit field, type 6.

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4 Click the Build Selected button.

Point 1
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Geometry 1 and choose Point.
2 In the Point settings window, locate the Point section.
3 In the x edit field, type 0.05.
4 Click the Build Selected button.

Point 2
1 Right-click Geometry 1 and choose Point.
2 In the Point settings window, locate the Point section.
3 In the x edit field, type 2.95.
4 In the y edit field, type 1.
5 Click the Build Selected button.

Point 3
1 Right-click Geometry 1 and choose Point.
2 In the Point settings window, locate the Point section.
3 In the x edit field, type 3.05.
4 In the y edit field, type 1.
5 Click the Build Selected button.

Point 4
1 Right-click Geometry 1 and choose Point.
2 In the Point settings window, locate the Point section.
3 In the x edit field, type 5.95.
4 Click the Build Selected button.
DEFINITIONS

Integration 1
1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1 right-click Definitions and choose Model
Couplings>Integration.
2 In the Integration settings window, locate the Source Selection section.
3 From the Selection list, choose All domains.

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MATERIALS

Material Browser
1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1 right-click Materials and choose Open
Material Browser.
2 In the Material Browser settings window, In the tree, select Built-In>Structural steel.
3 Click Add Material to Model.
SOLID MECHANICS

1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1 click Solid Mechanics.

2 In the Solid Mechanics settings window, locate the 2D Approximation section.
3 From the 2D approximation list, choose Plane stress.
4 Locate the Thickness section. In the d edit field, type 0.5.

Linear Elastic Material 1

1 In the Model Builder window, expand the Solid Mechanics node, then click Linear
Elastic Material 1.
2 In the Linear Elastic Material settings window, locate the Linear Elastic Material

section.
3 From the E list, choose User defined. In the associated edit field, type E_SIMP.

Boundary Load 1
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Solid Mechanics and choose Boundary Load.
2 Select Boundary 5 only (the short middle segment of the top boundary).
3 In the Boundary Load settings window, locate the Force section.
4 From the Load type list, choose Load defined as force per unit length.
5 In the FL table, enter the following settings:
0

-F_load

Fixed Constraint 1
1 Right-click Solid Mechanics and choose Fixed Constraint.
2 Select Boundary 2 only (the left segment of the lower boundary).

Roller 1
1 Right-click Solid Mechanics and choose Roller.
2 Select Boundary 7 only (the right segment of the lower boundary).

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OPTIMIZATION

Control Variable Field 1

1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1 right-click Optimization and choose
Control Variable Field.
2 In the Control Variable Field settings window, locate the Domain Selection section.
3 From the Selection list, choose All domains.
4 Locate the Control Variable section. In the Control variable name edit field, type
rho_design.

5 In the Initial value edit field, type area_frac.

6 Locate the Discretization section. From the Element order list, choose Linear. This is

to make sure that the changes in the design variable can be sharp.

Pointwise Inequality Constraint 1

1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Optimization and choose Pointwise
Inequality Constraint.
2 In the Pointwise Inequality Constraint settings window, locate the Domain Selection

section.
3 From the Selection list, choose All domains.
4 Locate the Constraint section. In the Constraint expression edit field, type
rho_design.

The lower bound of the interval should be zero. However, this would cause the
stiffness matrix of the Solid Mechanics interface to become singular.
5 Locate the Bounds section. In the Lower bound edit field, type 1e-4.
6 In the Upper bound edit field, type 1.

Integral Inequality Constraint 1

1 Right-click Optimization and choose Integral Inequality Constraint.
2 In the Integral Inequality Constraint settings window, locate the Domain Selection

section.
3 From the Selection list, choose All domains.
4 Locate the Constraint section. In the Constraint expression edit field, type
rho_design.

5 Locate the Bounds section. In the Upper bound edit field, type
area_designdomain*area_frac.

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Integral Objective 1
1 Right-click Optimization and choose Integral Objective.
2 In the Integral Objective settings window, locate the Domain Selection section.
3 From the Selection list, choose All domains.
4 Locate the Objective section. In the Objective expression edit field, type solid.Ws.

Add an integral inequality constraint that adds regularization to avoid a checkerboard

pattern in the optimized solution.

Integral Inequality Constraint 2

1 Right-click Optimization and choose Integral Inequality Constraint.
2 In the Integral Inequality Constraint settings window, locate the Domain Selection

section.
3 From the Selection list, choose All domains.
4 Locate the Constraint section. In the Constraint expression edit field, type
d(rho_design,x)^2+d(rho_design,y)^2.

5 Locate the Bounds section. In the Upper bound edit field, type reg_param.
GLOBAL DEFINITIONS

Variables 1
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Global Definitions and choose Variables.
2 In the Variables settings window, locate the Variables section.
3 In the table, enter the following settings:
Name

Expression

Description

E_SIMP

2e11[Pa]*
mod1.rho_design^p

Penalized Young's
modulus

area_designdomain

mod1.intop1(1)

Area of design domain

MESH 1

1 In the Model Builder window, under Model 1 click Mesh 1.

2 In the Mesh settings window, locate the Mesh Settings section.
3 From the Element size list, choose Extra fine.
4 Click the Build All button.

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STUDY 1

Before starting the optimization process, it is generally recommended that you check
that the model is correctly set up and can be solved for the initial values of the control
variables.
1 In the Model Builder window, right-click Study 1 and choose Compute.

Optimization
1 Right-click Study 1 and choose Optimization.
2 In the Optimization settings window, locate the Optimization Solver section.
3 From the Method list, choose SNOPT.
4 Right-click Study 1 and choose Compute.
RESULTS

The default plots show the stress distribution in the optimized structure and the
control variable (Equation 2).

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