Taylor-Made Design of Sandwich Structures with Topology-Optimized Core Layers by Using 3D Printers

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K05770
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Design engineering/Machine functional elements/Tribology
• Research Institution: Chiba Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: SUZUKI Kohji 千葉工業大学, 工学部, 教授 (70322427)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 高戸谷 健 国立研究開発法人宇宙航空研究開発機構, 航空技術部門, 研究領域リーダ (40344254)
• Research Collaborator: TSUKADA Morihiro
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: サンドイッチ構造 / 軽量化 / 位相最適化 / 構造最適化 / 複合材料 / 有限要素法 / SIMP法 / X線CT

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, taylor-made design and manufacturing of sandwich structures with topology-optimized core layers were successfully conducted by using the general-purpose finite element code, MSC Nastran, and FDM 3D printers. As case studies in this project, two different materials for the core layer of sandwich structures were chosen and topology-optimization designs were applied to three-point bending problem of sandwich beams. Stiffness maximization (compliance minimization) was selected as an object function under weight constrains. SIMP method was used for finding optimal shape for design regions in sandwich core layers and actual 3D printed objects were manufactured by FDM 3D printers. X-ray CT imaging and mechanical characterization tests were effectively employed to show the validity and usability of the present study.

Free Research Field

複合材料工学