Topology optimization of irregular multiscale structures with tunable responses using a virtual growth rule
Date:
Engineering Mechanics Institute Conference 2024 (EMI 2024)
Numerous applications demand tunable responses through tailored microscale topologies/geometries of unit cells and macroscale distribution of materials. To achieve these controllable behaviors, notable progress has been made in discovering deterministic architected materials featuring periodic patterns. In this presentation, we explore stochastic and non-periodic architected materials with a continuous design space based on the proposed virtual-growth-based topology optimization methodology. The optimized architected materials demonstrate programmed responses that closely match the desired targets. These optimized materials also ensure microstructural connectivity and offer the flexibility to select building blocks with guaranteed minimal features. Consequently, we leverage such connectivity and minimal features to demonstrate the manufacturability of the optimized designs through 3D printing. Our proposed methodology yields optimized architected materials that precisely realize programmed responses and manufacturing feasibility, which can be beneficial for applications that prioritize structures exemplifying disorderliness, non-uniformity, and heterogeneity.