Accelerating topology optimization codes using mesh refinement continuation

Abstract

A new concept for an algorithm accelerating topology optimization programs is introduced and explained in detail, which involves a continuation of increasing mesh resolutions to achieve low-compliance solutions with largely reduced computation times. Comparisons with examples from relevant literature show speedups of up to approximately 60% on discretizations up to the order of 106 elements for common benchmark problems. Improvements in speed can be attributed to taking advantage of running code on coarse meshes as a faster way to generate smart initial guesses to be reused as inputs for subsequent runs on finer meshes. A MATLAB script for the new algorithm and associated modifications to existing topology optimization code is included.

Keywords: Topology Optimization, Mesh Refinement, Computational Efficiency, MATLAB