TOPress: a MATLAB implementation for topology optimization of structures subjected to design-dependent pressure loads

In a topology optimization (TO) setting, design-dependent fluidic pressure loads pose several challenges as their direction, magnitude, and location alter with topology evolution. This paper offers a compact 100-line MATLAB code, TOPress, for TO of structures subjected to fluidic pressure loads using the method of moving asymptotes. The code is intended for pedagogical purposes and aims to ease the beginners' and students' learning toward the TO with design-dependent fluidic pressure loads. TOPress is developed per the approach first reported in Kumar et al. (Struct Multidisc Optim 61(4):1637-1655, 2020). The Darcy law, in conjunction with the drainage term, is used to model the applied pressure load. The consistent nodal loads are determined from the obtained pressure field. The employed approach facilitates inexpensive computation of the load sensitivities using the adjoint-variable method. Compliance minimization subject to volume constraint optimization problems is solved. The success and efficacy of the code are demonstrated by solving benchmark numerical examples involving pressure loads, wherein the importance of load sensitivities is also demonstrated. TOPress contains six main parts, is described in detail, and is extended to solve different problems. Steps to include a projection filter are provided to achieve loadbearing designs close to 0-1. The code is provided in Appendix 2 and can also be downloaded along with its extensions from https://github.com/PrabhatIn/TOPress.

Automated summary

This paper introduces a compact MATLAB code, TOPress, for topology optimization of structures subjected to fluidic pressure loads. The code utilizes the Darcy law and drainage term to model the applied pressure load and calculates load sensitivities using the adjoint-variable method. Benchmark numerical examples are solved to demonstrate the success and efficacy of the code.