Remixing Functionally Graded Structures: Data-Driven Topology Optimization with Multiclass Shape Blending
This work addresses the problem of efficiently designing complex structures with enhanced functionalities for applications in engineering and materials science, representing an incremental advancement by combining existing approaches.
The paper tackled the challenge of designing heterogeneous, multiscale structures by proposing a data-driven framework for multiclass functionally graded structures, which blends microstructure topologies to create spatially-varying designs with guaranteed feasibility, demonstrating versatility in compliance and shape matching examples.
To create heterogeneous, multiscale structures with unprecedented functionalities, recent topology optimization approaches design either fully aperiodic systems or functionally graded structures, which compete in terms of design freedom and efficiency. We propose to inherit the advantages of both through a data-driven framework for multiclass functionally graded structures that mixes several families, i.e., classes, of microstructure topologies to create spatially-varying designs with guaranteed feasibility. The key is a new multiclass shape blending scheme that generates smoothly graded microstructures without requiring compatible classes or connectivity and feasibility constraints. Moreover, it transforms the microscale problem into an efficient, low-dimensional one without confining the design to predefined shapes. Compliance and shape matching examples using common truss geometries and diversity-based freeform topologies demonstrate the versatility of our framework, while studies on the effect of the number and diversity of classes illustrate the effectiveness. The generality of the proposed methods supports future extensions beyond the linear applications presented.