Settings of the Mesh Filter

Similar to topology optimization numerical instabilities resulting in checker-board effects can be controlled using filtering.

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OPT_PARAM

Checkerboard structures cannot be manufactured in practice. The user also wants to obtain a mesh-independent result from the optimization. Because of these demands, SIMULIA Tosca Structure has a filter technique implemented to avoid mesh dependence. A specification of a filter radius (SIZING_FILTER_RADIUS parameter) is required for applying the filter. If the radius of the filter is not specified, the optimization is performed without using a filter. If the given radius is too large, the optimization result does not show a detailed structure. A small value of the radius leads to a finer structure.

Note: It is recommended to choose the filter radius equal to twice the mean element edge length.

The filter radius is defined in OPT_PARAM command as follows:

OPT_PARAM
  ID_NAME       = optimization_control
  OPTIMIZE      = id_of_optimize
  ...
  SIZING_FILTER_RADIUS = 5.
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