Applications of Topology Optimization Techniques in Seismic Design of Structure - Structural Seismic Design Optimization and Earthquake Engineering - page 232

Chapter 10

Applications of Topology
Optimization Techniques in
Seismic Design of Structure

Kazem Ghabraie
University of Southern Queensland, Australia

ABSTRACT

During the last two decades, topology optimization techniques have been successfully applied to a wide
range of problems including seismic design of structures. This chapter aims to provide an introduction
to the topology optimization methods and a review of the applications of these methods in earthquake
engineering. Two well-established topology optimization techniques are introduced. Several problems
including eigenfrequency control of structures, compliance minimization under periodic loading, and
maximizing energy absorption of passive dampers will be addressed. Numerical instabilities and ap-
proaches to overcome them will be discussed. The application of the presented approaches and methods
will be illustrated using numerical examples. It will be shown that in seismic design of structures, topol-
ogy optimization methods can be useful in providing conceptual design for structural systems as well as
detailed design of structural members.

1. INTRODUCTION function subject to some constraints. In struc-

tural optimization, depending on the nature of
the design variables, three different optimization
categories can be recognized. Sizing optimization
arises when the design variables are connected to
the dimensions of the elements. It can be useful
where the layout and the shapes of the members

Solving optimization problems is an inherent part
of engineering design where one seeks the best
design to minimize or maximize an objective