A Generalized Shape Function Approach for Multimaterial Topology Optimization

doi:10.1002/nme.70401

Return

A Generalized Shape Function Approach for Multimaterial Topology Optimization

2026-09-18

PRE

Swagatam Islam Sarkar

Nikhil Singh

Anupam Saxena

Prabhat Kumar *

DOI：10.1002/nme.70401

Original

Original request for help

Save

Abstract

En 中文

This paper presents a generalized shape function (gSF) approach for multi-material topology optimization that utilizes a compact design space to produce optimized configurations featuring a large number of materials. Building upon 1D (linear), 2D (bilinear), and 3D (trilinear) shape functions, generalized nD (n-linear) shape functions are conceptualized to map the multi-material simplex domain. Natural coordinates of these shape functions are considered the design variables used to determine the material densities. These densities are mathematically proven to satisfy the essential barycentric properties, guaranteeing a physically valid material interpolation space. Furthermore, we demonstrate that applying density filtering directly to the natural coordinates is mathematically equivalent to filtering the densities themselves, and that the tailored projection scheme preserves these vital barycentric properties in the projected states. The versatility, efficacy, and success of the gSF approach are demonstrated across various 2D and 3D stiff-structure (SS) and compliant-mechanism (CM) design problems. Strain energy is minimized for SS, whereas a multicriteria objective is minimized for CMs with given volume constraints. Sensitivity analysis is performed using the adjoint variable method, and the optimization problem is solved using the method of moving asymptotes. Results for SSs and CMs in 2D and 3D, respectively, up to 24 and 15 different materials, are presented. Objective history plots indicate smooth convergence. The proposed approach removes practical restrictions on the number of candidate materials, offering excellent scalability for large-scale engineering applications.

Keywords:

compliance minimization

compliant mechanisms

hypercube

material simplex

multimaterial

shape functions

structural optimization