The effect of reliability index values on resulting reliability-based topology optimization configurations: numerical validation by shape optimization

Introduction. The classical topology optimization leads to structural type and general layout prediction and gives a rough description of the shape of both the external and internal structure boundaries. However, Reliability-Based Topology Optimization (RBTO) model produces multiple reliability-based topologies with high levels of performance. The aim of this work is to study the effect of reliability changes on the obtained topologies. Materials and Methods. The developed Gradient-Based Method (GBM) has been used efficiently as a general method for several applications (statics and dynamics). When considering several reliability levels, several topologies can be obtained. In order to compare the resulting topologies, a shape optimization is considered as a detailed design aspect. Results. Numerical applications are carried out on an MBB (Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm) beam subjected to a distributed load. The DTO model is carried out without consideration of reliability concept. However, for the RBTO model, an interval of reliability is considered that produces several topologies. Here, the randomness is applied on geometry and material parameters. The application of the shape optimization algorithm leads to reduced structural volumes when increasing the reliability levels. Discussion and Conclusion. In addition to its simplified implementation, the developed GBM strategy can be considered as a generative tool to provide the designer with several solutions. The shape optimization is considered as a numerical validation of the importance of the different resulting RBTO layouts.