Topology optimization for minimizing the maximum temperature of transient heat conduction structure

In this paper, a topology optimization model is proposed for transient heat conduction structure design. In this model, a new performance index, named as the Regional Temperature Control Function (RTCF), was introduced as the objective function for representing the maximum temperature of specific areas during the whole working time, in this way the effect of the transient heat conduction on the topology is considered. An analytical expression is derived for the sensitivity analysis. Numerical examples demonstrate that the optimized topological solutions of the transient heat conduction structure exhibit the remarkable transient effect. That is to say, the optimal topology is closely related to the working time, and the different working time will lead to completely different topology designs for the same problem. Results also indicate that the proposed topology optimization model can exactly reflect the transient effect and achieve satisfactory topological solutions. In addition, compared with the transient thermal compliance as the objective function, the proposed RTCF can gain the design results with the obvious decrease of maximum temperature, which also implicates that the proposed topology optimization model for transient heat conduction structures is highly effective.