A novel topology optimization method for composite beams

A new topology optimization design method for aircraft composite beam under various loads is proposed. The cross-sectional stiffness characteristics of composite beam with arbitrary geometry are obtained using finite element method. Both of the warping and shear deformation are considered. To obtain better beam cross section, a multi-material optimization model including anisotropic and isotropic materials is employed. The density of candidate material at each element is designated as the design variables and updated with Sequence Linear Programming (SLP) of accurate gradient-based sensitivity. To avoid checkerboard problem, sensitivity filtering approach is used. Topology design of composite beam cross section with weight constraint is presented for square and airfoil cross section under various loads. The results show that the proposed method is suitable for the optimization design of composite beam, and innovative structures could be given. The external loads have great influence on the final topology shape of beam cross section.