Anisotropic/ orthotropic materials in topology optimization

KuthanC
KuthanC Altair Community Member
edited August 2023 in Community Q&A

Hi, I am a new user of the Inspire software and I would like to explore topology optimization of aerospace or automotive parts. I was wondering if it is possible to use non-isotropic materials (materials that would require more material properties rather than just one Young's modulus, one poisson ratio, density, yield stress etc.). 

For many materials the direction of the applied load changes the material/ part response as material may be made of different constitutents such as composites with distinct fiber orientations in the layups or extruded Aluminum with grain directions.

It seems like Inspire software does not have this capability. Is it possible to model anisotropic/orthotropic materials, analyze and ALSO optimize their topology/ shape using any other software, perhaps OptiStruct? Are there any features that are unavailable in the other software with this capability but available in Inspire? (in other words would I lose functionality if I switch?).

Thank you,

Kuthan