In the past decade, computational design methods based on formal optimization approaches have gained substantial popularity for solving engineering design problems governed by partial differential equations. Traditional optimization approaches, such as boundary variation and sizing techniques, have been successfully applied to improving and refining designs that were initially found through engineering intuition and/or transfer of previous solutions for similar design problems. In contrast topology optimization is an optimization approach for finding conceptually novel, non-intuitive designs and does not require a close-to-optimal initial design. These features are in particular appealing for complex design problems in emerging technology areas, such as the design of nano-engineered materials, bio-medical devices, and micro-systems. For these applications, as for many others, the systems response is strongly nonlinear and often dominated by the interaction of two or more coupled physical phenomena.

This talk will provide an overview of topology optimization for problems in fluid and solid mechanics, including related coupled multi-physics problems. Generic computational approaches for the analysis and parameter sensitivity analysis of such problems will be presented and their applicability to large-scale computational models discussed. The potential and limitation of topology optimization will be illustrated with selected problems.

Bio

Dr. Maute is an associate professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences and the Department of Mechanical Engineering, by courtesy, and director of the Center of Aerospace Structures (CAS) at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He received his Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering in 1998, and his Bs/Ms. in Aerospace Engineering in 1992, both from the University of Stuttgart, Germany. His research is concerned with computational mechanics and design optimization methods, applied to fundamental problems in solid and fluid mechanics and heat transfer as well as to civil, mechanical and aerospace engineering problems. Dr. Maute has published his work in over 100 journal articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings. He is the managing editor of Structure and Infrastructure Engineering and a senior advisor of Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization.