Abstract
Topology optimization for structures with linear behaviors has been very well studied but the number of studies on this optimization is relatively small when the structure is subjected to elasto-plastic deformations. One reason may be the computational cost to determine the design variables, however, this problem is getting less crucial due to the rapid development of computers. In this paper the density method is applied to the topology optimization of thin walled structures subjected to crashing deformations and availability of it is discussed through several numerical examples conducted with the explicit time integration scheme and the one point quadrature shell element.
