25. Comparison of Different Topology Optimization Algorithms to Optimize Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Beam

Topology optimization algorithms aim to optimize material layout in design space for a given set of loads and constraints. This work focuses on analysing the difference in structural design exploration approaches and comparing the performance of the different algorithms used for topology optimization. The performance of three topology optimization algorithms, namely Solid-Isotropic Material Penalization (SIMP), Sequential Elemental Rejection and Admission Method (SERA), and Level Set Method (LSM), is compared by implementations of these algorithms in MATLAB to optimize a benchmark design problem—Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Beam (MBB Beam). Various parameters such as input domain size, compliance, run time, and the number of iterations are used to compare the performance of the algorithm as well as the performance of the optimized structures generated using identical computational facilities. SERA is observed to produce the best structural designs compared to the other two algorithms. Compared to SIMP, the structures generated by the SERA method had 1.95% less compliance (or more stiffness) while taking 2.27 times less time. Compared to LSM, the structures by SERA had 10.11% less compliance (or more stiffness) while taking 2.49 times less time. Hence, this comparative study forwards the Bi-Directional Evolutionary Structural Optimization (BESO)-based SERA algorithm for topology optimization applications.