OS-E: 0895 Flat Plate with Thermal Compliance Response

Demonstrates the usage of thermal compliance responses with Topology Optimization in OptiStruct.

A flat plate structure is considered which is subject to a heat flux input on the entire surface (defined by CHBDYE elements). The middle section of the top edge of the plate is maintained at a constant temperature. Topology optimization is performed, and results of element densities are obtained.
Figure 1. Flat Plate with Input Flux in the Entire Surface and Fixed Temperature at the Top Edge


Model Files

Before you begin, copy the file(s) used in this example to your working directory.

Model Description

Element Type
CQUAD4, CHBDYE
The material properties for the plate are:
Material Properties
Value
Young's modulus
210000 Nmm2
Poisson's ratio
0.30
Thermal expansion coefficient
1.0E-05 K-1
Thermal conductivity
401.0 W mm-1 K-1
Free convection heat transfer coefficient
25.0 W mm-2 K-1

Optimization Formulation

Objective
Minimize thermal compliance (TCOMP)
Constraint
Volume fraction (VOLFRAC) ≤ 0.3

Results

Figure 2. Final Optimal Design Results. in a tree-like structure and the plot of element densities