Create a design area for topology optimization

The following procedure creates a design area modeling object and adds it to the solution. To create a design area without adding it to a solution, use the Modeling Objects command.

1. In the Simulation Navigator, under an active topology optimization solution node, right-click the Design Area container and choose New Design Area.

2. In the Name box, type a unique name for the design area.

3. In the Label box in the Modeling Object group, type a unique integer for the modeling object.The dialog box automatically displays the next available modeling object number. However, you might want to change this if you use a particular series of numbers to identify certain types of modeling objects.

4. (Optional) In the Description box, type a description of this design area.You can also click Description to open the Description dialog box. This lets you see more of the text that you type, as well as cut, copy, or paste text.

5. From the Area Type list, select the type of area that you are creating:Optimization Area—The elements in this area will be optimized.Frozen Area—The elements in this area will be omitted from the optimization process.

6. In the Properties group, in the Label box, type the design area identifier to write to the .dat file when you solve the model.

7. From the Element Selection Method list, select the method to use to add elements to the optimization or frozen area:Entire Model—Include all of the elements in the model in the optimization area.Note: If you select Frozen Area from the Area Type list and select Entire Model from the Element Selection Method list, no topology optimization will occur.Specified Elements—Include only the selected elements in the optimization or frozen area.

8. If you selected Specified Elements, do one of the following:Select the elements in the graphics window.Select the Group Reference check box and then select a group from the list. The selected group must include elements, meshes, or polygon bodies.From the Filter Type list, select the type of objects to include in the optimization or frozen area. For example, if the selected group includes both a mesh and individual elements, and you select Elements from the Filter Type list, then only the elements in the group are included in the area.The Select Elements option indicates the number objects that are selected. For example, if you select a group that contains one mesh and 20 elements, and you select Mesh from the Filter Type list, the dialog box displays Select Elements (1). If you select Elements from the Filter Type list, the dialog box displays Select Elements (20).

9. Click OK.

How do I

Create a topology optimization solution

Create the design objective for topology optimization

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Create a design area for topology optimization, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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