Maximizing the fundamental eigenfrequency of geometrically nonlinear structures by topology optimization based on element connectivity parameterization

This paper pertains to the use of topology optimization based on the internal element connectivity parameterization (I-ECP) method for nonlinear dynamic problems. When standard density-based topology optimization methods are used for nonlinear dynamic problems, they typically suffer from two main numerical difficulties, element instability and localized vibration modes. As an alterative approach, the I-ECP method is employed to avoid element instability and a new patch mass model in the I-ECP formulation is developed to control the problem of localized vibration modes. After the I-ECP based formulation is developed. the advantages of the proposed method are checked with several numerical examples. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.