PLATO-N : A PLAtform for Topology Optimisation incorporating Novel, Large-Scale, Free Material Optimisation and Mixed Integer Programming Methods

PLATO-N aims to overcome the limitations of current state-of-the-art topology optimisation tools in order to enable integration of optimisation assistance into the conceptual design process of the European aerospace industry.

The following operational parameters, performance criteria and novel features are targeted:
a) a reduction of turn-around time for practical solutions
b) an increase of manageable problem size
c) an increase in the number of manageable load cases
d) consideration of composite materials, and post-processing tailored to exploit composite material features
e) extension to multidisciplinary design criteria (stress, displacements, etc.)
The strategic decisions that have been taken in terms of research goals are that:
[1] The platform should be flexible with respect to the inclusion of new optimization algorithms and visualization tools, and it should provide a range of tools and modelling approaches geared to aeronautical needs.
[2] The large-scale optimization algorithms should employ some form of algorithm based on a development of dedicated first-order methods.
[3] The method should be extended to plate and shell problems and should be able to handle multiple objectives such as stiffness, vibration, and buckling problems.
[4] An algorithm should be developed in order to handle local constraints.
[5] Benchmark examples should be generated using mixed-integer convex models.
[6] The results should be interpreted and visualized in a manner consistent with aerospace needs, e.g., shell structures using laminate lay-ups.
[7] The platform should be tested on examples of industrial origin.