How to interpret results of optimization?

Altair Forum User

Hi,

I performed topology optimization (Upper bound displacement and minimize volfrac).

But I am having problem in interpreting results. Please clear following doubts:

1) Results are very irregular. It doesn't show some material removal in some uniform shape.

2) Which iso-value should I consider? What is the use of it?

3) When I try to export it using OSSmooth, It takes input of .GRID file which I couldn't find anywhere in the folder. How do I get that .grid file.

 

Altair Forum User

Hi Vij,

 

1) Have you used any manufacturing constraints? can you share a picture of the optimized?

 

2)Iso value helps in interpreting designs and understanding load paths. During the course of Optimization the density value continuously changes from 0 to 1 (normalized value). At the end of the last iteration each element would have retained some material density and this is based on the strain energy. Higher the strain energy density inside an element higher is the density value (say closer to 1). You can safely assume that elements with lower density values do not take much part in carrying the loads so elements with density values up to 0.3 or 0.4 can be discarded and the remaining elements with higher values carried forward for design fine tuning. To interpret designs better from a topology run you can use the DISCRETE parameter which pushes all semi dense elements closer to either 0 or 1. This results in a discrete design and avoids the guessing of what density value should be chosen for the Iso Value plot.

 

3) WIth topology optimization, you dont need a grid file. Toggle the field to Autobead to None to remove the grid file field.