Multiple materials layout optimization in a layered structure

Abstract

To obtain the optimal layout of multiple materials in a layered continuum with clear interfaces between materials, the series solid isotropic material with penalization (S-SIMP) method is proposed in this work. In practical engineering, many types of materials could be used simultaneously in a structure for reducing either cost or weight of structure. For the convenience of manufacturing, the inter-material boundaries should be simple and clear. Supposing m types of material in a structure to be layout, in the present method, in each sub-optimization, there are only k(