DESIGN FOR COMPOSITES: TAILOR-MADE, BIO-INSPIRED TOPOLOGY OPTIMIZATION FOR FIBER-REINFORCED PLASTICS
DS 92: Proceedings of the DESIGN 2018 15th International Design Conference
                        Year: 2018
                        Editor: Marjanović D., Štorga M., Škec S., Bojčetić N., Pavković N.
                        Author: Voelkl, Harald; Wartzack, Sandro
                        Series: DESIGN
                        Section: DESIGN SUPPORT TOOLS
                        Page(s): 499-510
                        DOI number: https://doi.org/10.21278/idc.2018.0126
                        
Abstract
A bio-inspired topology optimization approach with simultaneous fiber orientation optimization for fiber-reinforced plastics is introduced. To scrutinize the optimization potential of the new approach when compared to methods not considering fiber orientation during the optimization process, a case study using a bike rocker arm is presented. In this study, slightly better stiffness behavior of the new approach compared to its counterparts could be observed. However, as far as strength behavior (matrix failure) is concerned, significant gains could be achieved, both in numbers and visually.
Keywords: lightweight design, biologically inspired design, topology optimisation, fiber-reinforced plastics, design tools