HoneyTop90: A 90-line MATLAB code for topology optimization using honeycomb tessellation

Abstract

This paper provides a simple, compact and efficient 90-line pedagogical MATLAB code for topology optimization using hexagonal elements (honeycomb tessellation). Hexagonal elements provide nonsingular connectivity between two juxtaposed elements and, thus, subdue checkerboard patterns and point connections inherently from the optimized designs. A novel approach to generate honeycomb tessellation is proposed. The element connectivity matrix and corresponding nodal coordinates array are determined in 5 (7) and 4 (6) lines, respectively. Two additional lines for the meshgrid generation are required for an even number of elements in the vertical direction. The code takes a fraction of a second to generate meshgrid information for the millions of hexagonal elements. Wachspress shape functions are employed for the finite element analysis, and compliance minimization is performed using the optimality criteria method. The provided Matlab code and its extensions are explained in detail. Options to run the optimization with and without filtering techniques are provided. Steps to include different boundary conditions, multiple load cases, active and passive regions, and a Heaviside projection filter are also discussed. The code is provided in Appendix~A, and it can also be downloaded along with supplementary materials from \url{https://github.com/PrabhatIn/HoneyTop90}.

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• An improved Material Mask Overlay Strategy for the desired discreteness of pressure-loaded optimized topologies
• Towards topology optimization of pressure-driven soft robots
• PyHexTop: a compact Python code for topology optimization using hexagonal elements
• Soft Pneumatic Grippers: Topology optimization, 3D-printing and Experimental validation