Seminar: Novel Topology Optimization Methods for Design of Complex Systems

Topology optimization provides engineers an efficient way to realize innovative designs at an early design stage. It provides the optimum material distribution that achieves prescribed performance objectives simultaneously satisfying a set of design constraints; making it an attractive tool for obtaining non-intuitive mechanical design of complex systems in the area of automotive, aerospace and biomedical industries among others. In this seminar, novel topology optimization methods which expands the potential by incorporating multi-material concepts, multi-resolution schemes and microstructural design will be presented. Interesting designs found in nature can be mimicked using our perimeter control methods. Topology optimization typically generates solutions with complex geometries which sometimes may not be cost-effective from the industrial manufacturing perspective. Projection based restriction approaches that controls the design complexity to satisfy certain manufacturing constraints will also be discussed. The research efforts demonstrate the versatility of the topology optimization for improving the design performance thereby enhancing design options with practicality.

About the Speaker

Alok Sutradhar graduated with a Ph.D. in structural engineering with specialization in computational mechanics and computational science & engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2005. He joined the Department of Plastic Surgery at The Ohio State University to work on mechanical design and modeling of bone implants. Currently, he is a research scientist in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at The Ohio State University. His research interests include topology optimization, bio-inspired design, functionally graded materials, boundary element methods, biomechanical design of medical devices and implants. He is the author of a graduate level textbook on Boundary Element Methods and over 25 journal papers. He has received several awards including best paper awards and a patent.

Hosted by Professor Jami Shah