ABSTRACT
Experimental and analytical research is underway to determine the optimum topology of a hard target penetrating warhead. Topology optimization is a concept-level design tool allowing an engineer to determine proper material distribution for a structure in response to given loading conditions. Every topology optimization problem in Optistruct must define four quantities: the design variable, the response or responses, the optimization constraints, and the objective of the optimization. Weighted compliance is a method used to consider multiple load steps in a topology optimization. Additive manufacturing is utilized in the production of the topology optimized penetrator design, as the internal structural layout of such designs is prohibitively difficult to manufacture by traditional manufacturing methods. Topology optimization within Optistruct utilizes the power-law approach known as the simple isotropic material with penalization method. Determination of the proper weights for each load step was conducted via an optimization test matrix similar to determining proper member size constraints.
