To achieve the optimal design of onshore wind turbine tower structures
a self-similar modular topology optimization method is proposed. Based on the three-field theory
a topology optimization formulation for continuum structures is established
in which the compliance is minimized subject to the prescribed volume fraction. The sensitivity expressions under self-similar modular constraints are derived
while the optimization solution and design variable update are performed through the method of moving asymptotes. The ANSYS software is redeveloped for topology optimization functionality based on Python. Various layer numbers of self-similar structures are obtained. The ultimate stiffness and strength of the calculated structures under three typical loading conditions are computed and analyzed by finite element method. The results reveal that the self-similar structure is superior in mechanical properties such as maximum nodal displacement and stress value
proving the feasibility and superiority of the proposed methodology.
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