Level Set Topology Optimization in OpenMDAO

The goal of this study is to simplify the sensitivity calculation for level set topology optimization (LSTO) by using OpenMDAO. OpenMDAO is an open-source platform for multi-disciplinary design optimization (MDO). It is capable of calculating total derivatives given just partial derivatives of small units of code. This differs from the typical process for calculating sensitivities in topology optimization (TO), which consists of first deriving the analytic expression of the sensitivity and then implementing it into computer code. OpenMDAO avoids the need for deriving a total sensitivity calculation, which can become laborious for complex models, such as coupled multi-physics models. We demonstrate the use of OpenMDAO as means to calculate sensitivities through three numerical examples: mean compliance minimization for linear elastostatics, thermal compliance minimization for steady-state heat transfer, and mean compliance minimization for coupled physics.