Topology optimization of lattice structures for target band gaps with optimum volume fraction via Bloch-Floquet theory

Abstract

In this work, a topology optimization algorithm has been developed to design bi-material lattice structures showing a band gap around a target frequency, using just one unit cell through the application of Bloch-Floquet theorem. The Bidirectional Evolutionary Structural optimization (BESO) method has been employed, based on bi-material interpolation. A new objective function has been defined, which uses only the natural frequencies closest to the target one, regardless of their position with respect to the fundamental natural frequency. This reduces the computational cost by limiting the number of frequencies considered, and improves the robustness of the optimization process, as these frequencies adapt to changes in the distribution of materials within the domain, constantly encompassing the target frequency. In addition, a novel approach has been implemented to determine the optimal volume fraction of the materials forming the structure, a parameter typically predefined in other works before starting the optimization process. Consequently, the algorithm can autonomously identify the volume that produces the widest band gap around the target frequency. The algorithm has been evaluated for different cases of lattice structures formed by the periodic repetition of a unit cell in both 1D (1D-CR) and 2D (2D-CR), comparing some results with those obtained in other works through different approaches.