Geometric width control in topology optimization using level set method and a quadratic energy functional

A variational approach to geometric width control in topology optimization is presented in this paper. Different from conventional topology optimization approaches which only consider optimizing performance-describing objective functions, a quadratic energy functional governing the feature characteristic of geometric width is employed. In this manner, the geometric feature of the designed structure as well as its functional performance is accounted for. In addition, the quadratic energy function can be seamlessly integrated into the level set model that represents the geometry of the structure implicitly. The approach is demonstrated with benchmark examples of structure optimization and compliant mechanism optimization. The preliminary results show that this method is capable of generating strip-like (or beam) designs with specified feature width, which is a highly desirable characteristic and uniquely distinguishes the proposed method.