Topology optimization of load-carryingstructures using three different typesof finite elements

This thesis deals with topology optimization of load-carrying structures, in particular compliance minimization subject to a constraint on the total amount of material to be used. The main purpose of the work was to compare the following three types of finite elements for the above topology optimization problems: Four node square elements with bilinear shape functions, nine node square elements with quadratic shape functions, and six node hexagonal elements with Wachspress shape functions. The SIMP approach (Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization) was used to model the topology optimization problem for different load and support conditions, and the method of moving asymptotes (MMA) was used to solve the formulated optimization problems. On the considered test problems, it turned out that the results obtained by using six node hexagonal elements were in general better than the corresponding results using nine node square elements which in turn were better than the results using four node square elements. The price paid for the improvements were increased computation times