Inverse optimum safety factor method for reliability-based topology optimization applied to free vibrated structures

Introduction. The classical topology optimization leads to a prediction of the structural type and overall layout, and gives a rough description of the shape of the outer as well as inner boundaries of the structure. However, the probabilistic topology optimization (or reliability-based topology optimization) model leads to several reliability-based topologies with high performance levels. The objective of this work is to provide an efficient tool to integrate the reliability-based topology optimization model into free vibrated structure. Materials and Methods. The developed tool is called inverse optimum safety method. When dealing with modal analysis, the choice of optimization domain is highly important in order to be able to eliminate material taking account of the constraints of fabrication and without affecting the structure function. This way the randomness can be applied on certain boundary parameters. Results. Numerical applications on free vibrated structures are presented to show the efficiency of the developed strategy. When considering a required reliability level, the resulting topology represents a different topology relative to the deterministic resulting one. Discussion and Conclusion. In addition to its simplified implementation, the developed inverse optimum safety factor strategy can be considered as a generative tool to provide the designer with several solutions for free vibrated structures with different performance levels.