About Cluster Groups

For sensitivity-based topology optimization, elements can be clustered to have equal pseudo densities in certain areas during the optimization (CHECK_TYPE = CLUSTER_GROUPS).

Define a cluster group as follows:

DVCON_TOPO
  ID_NAME    = DVCON_CLUSTER
  EL_GROUP   = CLUSTER_1
  EL_GROUP   = CLUSTER_2
  EL_GROUP   = CLUSTER_3
  EL_GROUP   = CLUSTER_4
  ...
  ...
  EL_GROUP   = CLUSTER_143
  EL_GROUP   = CLUSTER_144
  CHECK_TYPE = CLUSTER_GROUPS
END_

Note: Elements within one referred element group will have the same values for pseudo densities. But two different element groups will have different values for pseudo densities.

Reference the DVCON_TOPO ID name in the OPTIMIZE command in order to activate this restriction: 

OPTIMIZE
  ID_NAME = ...
  ...
  DVCON   = DVCON_CLUSTER
  ...
END_

To give an example the following model is considered:

Model Displacements Stresses






To obtain an extrudable profile as the optimization result cluster groups are utilized:

Mesh Clustering groups




The corresponding optimized structures are shown in the following figures:

Optimization without clustering Optimization with clustering groups