Topology optimization by a neighbourhood search method based on efficient sensitivity calculations

This paper deals with topology optimization of discretized load-carrying continuum structures, where the design of the structure is represented by binary design variables indicating material or void in the various finite elements. Efficient exact methods for discrete sensitivity calculations are developed. They utilize the fact that if just one or two binary variables are changed to their opposite binary values then the new stiffness matrix is essentially just a low-rank modification of the old stiffness matrix, even if some nodes in the structure may disappear or re-enter. As an application of these efficient sensitivity calculations, a new neighbourhood search method is presented, implemented, and applied on some test problems, one of them with 6912 nine-node finite elements where the von Mises stress in each non-void element is considered. Copyright 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd