Seminar: Topology Optimization Methods for 3D Printed Architected Structures and Materials

Abstract

Layer-by-layer material joining process in 3-D printing has added another dimension to manufacturing, which provides unmatched flexibility to engineering designers. Additional structural features in the internal architectures or complex geometries can be easily implemented and manipulated which could potentially enhance the performance of the final structure. However, effective and systematic optimized design methodologies that can fully utilize the potential of additive manufacturing printing is still in its infancy. 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 the non-intuitive mechanical design of complex systems in the area of automotive, aerospace and biomedical industries among others. This seminar includes discussion of novel topology optimization methods which expand the potential by incorporating multi-material concepts, multi-resolution schemes and architected design. Non-intuitive designs found in nature can be mimicked using 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 control the design complexity to satisfy manufacturing constraints will also be presented. Finally, formulation that may seamlessly integrate the additive printing into the optimal engineering design will be discussed.

About the speaker

Alok Sutradhar is an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at The Ohio State University. Sutradhar obtained his PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the area of computational mechanics and computational methods. His research interests are in the areas of topology optimization, bio-inspired and biomimetic designs, additive manufacturing, computer-aided design and biomedical modeling. His research employs computer modeling and simulation for design, analysis and synthesis of mechanical and biological structures.

Hosted by Professor Jami Shah.