Reliability-based topology optimization using inverse optimum safety factor approaches

The Deterministic Topology Optimization (DTO) model generates a single solution for a given design space, while the Reliability-Based Topology Optimization (RBTO) model provides several reliability-based topology layouts with high performance levels. The objective of this work is to develop two approaches, which can lead to two new topology categories. The two alternative approaches; namely Objective-Based Inverse Optimum Safety Factor (IOSF) and Performance-Based IOSF, are developed based on the IOSF. When designing a structure, the uncertainty in the input parameters influences the output parameters and thus a sensitivity analysis was carried out for the developed approaches. The analysis shows the influence of each parameter on the structure performance. Two numerical applications are presented to show the effectiveness of the developed approaches. When considering a certain reliability level, unlike the DTO, the RBTO results in different configurations. Unlike the results of the previous studies, the consideration of the geometry uncertainty reveals that the structural volume increases as the reliability level increases. Additionally, the developed approaches can be considered as two generative tools that can produce two different categories/families of solutions.