Explicit isogeometric topology optimization using moving morphable components

We propose an explicit isogeometric topology optimization approach based on Moving Morphable Components (MMCs). The prescribed design domain is discretized using a NURBS patch and NURBS-based Isogeometric Analysis (IGA) method is adopted for structural response analysis and sensitivity analysis. We employ the MMCs to represent the geometries of structural components (a subset of the design domain) with use of explicit design parameters. The central coordinates, half-length, half-width, and inclined angles of MMCs are taken as design variables. The proposed method not only inherits the explicitness of the MMC-based topology optimization, but also embraces the merits of the Isogeometric Analysis (IGA) such as a tighter link with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and higher-order continuity of the basis functions. Several numerical examples illustrate that the presented method based on IGA is more robust and stable than FEM-based topology optimization using MMCs.