Level set method for shape and topology optimization of contact problems

Abstract

This paper deals with simultaneous topology and shape optimization of elastic contact problems. The structural optimization problem for an elastic contact problem is formulated. Shape as well as topological derivatives formulae of the cost functional are provided using material derivative and asymptotic expansion methods, respectively. These derivatives are employed to formulate necessary optimality condition for simultaneous shape and topology optimization and to calculate a descent direction in numerical algorithm. Level set based numerical algorithm for the solution of this optimization problem is proposed. Numerical examples are provided and discussed. © 2009 IFIP International Federation for Information Processing.