Topology Optimization Using the Constrained Natural Element Method

Abstract

This paper focuses on a new topology optimization method for structures combining the solid isotropic material with penalization method (SIMP) and the constrained natural element method (CNEM). Common numerical instabilities such as checkerboard pattern and mesh dependency are studied and a new filter based on natural neighbors is proposed. Several 2D and 3D numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.