Topology and Size Optimization of Trusses by Bone Remodeling: Primary Force-Based Approach.

Abstract

This study presents an optimization tool inspired by bone remodeling principles to address the high computational costs of truss topology optimization. Additionally, a new structural analysis method based on primary forces is proposed to overcome the kinematic stability problem. The strategy developed to obtain the optimal topology optimizes the initial dense ground structure in two stages. In Phase I, unnecessary members in the system are filtered to determine the "primary candidate members"; in Phase II, the final topology is reached through this refined subset. The algorithm performs an effective search in the design space by simulating biological processes that link the rate of mass change in the bone matrix to mechanical stimuli. Numerical results demonstrate high accuracy, as shown by the analytical solution of the 2D Michell truss, with a difference of 1.02%. The results show high consistency with reference studies, providing, in some cases, alternative topologies with the same weight and stiffness as given in the benchmarks. The proposed method achieves significant improvements in computational efficiency, reducing processing times for larger systems by 10 to over 250 times compared to literature benchmarks.