Simultaneous optimisation of structural topology and material grading using level set method

The present paper introduces a new technique for simultaneously optimising the topology and continuous material distribution of a structure. Topology optimisation offers great potential for novel, improved structural designs and is an ideal design tool for additive manufacturing (AM) techniques. Level set based topology optimisation produces solutions with clear, smooth boundaries that can be directly fabricated using AM. Further benefits of AM may be realised by also optimising the material distribution within the structure. The sequential linear programming level set method is used to include material distribution design variables in the topology optimisation problem. This allows the topology and continuous material distribution to be optimised simultaneously. Several compliance minimisation problems are used to demonstrate the proposed approach.