Topology Optimization Using Ant Behaviors of Route Selection

Abstract

Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) was inspired by a behavior of ant swarm intelligence. In this study, the principal stress vector was introduced in Ant Colony Topology Optimization (ACTO). Generally, Topology Optimization has applied the volume constraint as a termination condition, and has optimized a mean compliance. On the other hand, as a product design, a weight minimization with the local stress constraint is the most important object to attain it. Moreover, in a mechanical structural design, usually, a weight minimization is performed under the maintaining stiffness through checking the flow of forces (principal stress vector). However, topology optimization for a weight minimization with the local stress constraint is difficult, since the optimization problem has many local optimal solutions. In order to overcome the difficulty, we propose the ACTO method by considering the flow direction of the principal stress as a route, since ACO is a suitable optimization algorithm for route generation like a travel salesman problem.