Topology Options

The Topology Options dialog box sets the analysis options for Topology studies.

To access the Topology Options dialog box:

  • Right-click the top study icon of a Topology study, and click Properties.

Solver

  Automatic Solver Selection The software selects the solver to run a topology study.
  • The recommended solver with faster performance for multiple load cases is the Intel Direct Sparse
  • The Intel Network Sparse is not supported for Topology studies
  Run Static analysis before running topology study Selected by default. The software runs a static analysis before running the topology optimization algorithm.
  Use inplane effect Considers the effect of in-plane loading on the calculation of the stiffness.
  Use soft spring to stabilize model Adds soft springs attached to the ground to prevent instability. If you apply loads to an unstable design, it can translate and rotate as a rigid body. You should apply adequate restraints to prevent rigid body motion.
  Use inertia relief Applies inertial forces to counteract unbalanced external loading. When selected, you can solve structural problems without having to apply restraints or activate the soft spring option to stabilize the model against rigid body motions.
  Use Min Max formulation (for load cases) Select when multiple load cases can act on a component independently (defined with the Load Case Manager).

The optimization algorithm seeks to minimize the compliance (reciprocal of stiffness) for each applied load independently. The final shape of the component has the maximum stiffness for the applied load cases that can act independently.

Preserved (Frozen) Regions settings

  Regions with loads only Select to exclude from optimization the faces where loads are applied.
  Regions with fixtures only Select to exclude from optimization the faces where fixtures are applied.
  Regions with loads and fixtures Default option. The faces where loads and fixtures are applied are preserved during optimization.
  None (user-defined) You can select which regions to preserve. To select the faces that are preserved during optimization, right-click Manufacturing Control, and select Add Preserved Region.
  Results folder Sets the folder location where the analysis results are stored.

Advanced

  Convergence Check (Draft quality) If selected, for each iteration the solver checks if either the objective or the constraint has converged to stop the solution. The numerical tolerances between subsequent iterations for reaching convergence are relaxed. By default, the solver uses a smaller numerical tolerance (higher precision), and both the objective and constraint need to be satisfied for the solver to stop.
  Maximum number of Iterations

Automatic

The maximum number of iterations needed for convergence is set automatically.

User-defined

Set the maximum number of iterations for the optimization algorithm to reach convergence.