Topology design of thermomechanical actuators

The paper deals with topology design of thermomechanical actuators. The goal of shape optimization is to maximize the output displacement in a given direction on the boundary of the elastic body, which is submitted to a thermal excitation that induces a dilatation/contraction of the thermomechanical device. The optimal structure is identified by an elastic material distribution, while a very compliant (weak) material is used to mimic voids. The mathematical model of an actuator takes the form of a semi-coupled system of partial differential equations. The boundary value problem includes two components, the Navier equation for linear elasticity coupled with the Poisson equation for steady-state heat conduction. The mechanical coupling is the thermal stress induced by the temperature field. Given the integral shape functional, we evaluate its topological derivative with respect to the nucleation of a small circular inclusion with the thermomechanical properties governed by two contrast parameters. The obtained topological derivative is employed to generate a steepest descent direction within the level set numerical procedure of topology optimization in a fixed geometrical domain. Finally, several finite element-based examples for the topology design of thermomechanical actuators are presented.