Structural Optimisation of a Suspension Control Arm Using a Bi-Evolutionary Bone Remodelling Inspired Algorithm and the Radial Point Interpolation Method

Today, topological structural optimisation is a valuable computational technique for designing mechanical components with optimal mass-to-stiffness ratios. Thus, this work aims to assess the performance of the Radial Point Interpolation Method (RPIM) when compared with the well-established Finite El...

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Main Authors: Carlos Oliveira, Ana Pais, Jorge Belinha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/502
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author Carlos Oliveira
Ana Pais
Jorge Belinha
author_facet Carlos Oliveira
Ana Pais
Jorge Belinha
author_sort Carlos Oliveira
collection DOAJ
description Today, topological structural optimisation is a valuable computational technique for designing mechanical components with optimal mass-to-stiffness ratios. Thus, this work aims to assess the performance of the Radial Point Interpolation Method (RPIM) when compared with the well-established Finite Element Method (FEM) within the context of a vehicle suspension control arm’s structural optimisation process. Additionally, another objective of this work is to propose an optimised design for the suspension control arm. Being a meshless method, RPIM allows one to discretise the problem’s domain with an unstructured nodal distribution. Since RPIM relies on a weak form equation to establish the system of equations, it is necessary to additionally discretise the problem domain with a set of background integration points. Then, using the influence domain concept, nodal connectivity is established for each integration point. RPIM shape functions are constructed using polynomial and radial basis functions with interpolating properties. The RPIM linear elastic formulation is then coupled with a bi-evolutionary bone remodelling algorithm, allowing for non-linear structural optimisation analyses and achieving solutions with optimal stiffness/mass ratios. In this work, a vehicle suspension control arm is analysed. The obtained solutions were evaluated, revealing that RPIM allows better solutions with enhanced truss connections and a higher number of intermediate densities. Assuming the obtained optimised solutions, four models are investigated, incorporating established design principles for material removal commonly used in vehicle suspension control arms. The proposed models showed a significant mass reduction, between 18.3% and 31.5%, without losing their stiffness in the same amount. It was found that the models presented a stiffness reduction between 5.4% and 9.8%. The obtained results show that RPIM is capable of delivering solutions similar to FEM, confirming it as an alternative numerical technique.
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spelling doaj-art-ad204b07d2bc465eb74c921373942f4e2025-01-24T13:19:35ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-01-0115250210.3390/app15020502Structural Optimisation of a Suspension Control Arm Using a Bi-Evolutionary Bone Remodelling Inspired Algorithm and the Radial Point Interpolation MethodCarlos Oliveira0Ana Pais1Jorge Belinha2ISEP, Polytechnic of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, n.431, 4200-072 Porto, PortugalINEGI—Instritute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 400, 4200-465 Porto, PortugalINEGI—Instritute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 400, 4200-465 Porto, PortugalToday, topological structural optimisation is a valuable computational technique for designing mechanical components with optimal mass-to-stiffness ratios. Thus, this work aims to assess the performance of the Radial Point Interpolation Method (RPIM) when compared with the well-established Finite Element Method (FEM) within the context of a vehicle suspension control arm’s structural optimisation process. Additionally, another objective of this work is to propose an optimised design for the suspension control arm. Being a meshless method, RPIM allows one to discretise the problem’s domain with an unstructured nodal distribution. Since RPIM relies on a weak form equation to establish the system of equations, it is necessary to additionally discretise the problem domain with a set of background integration points. Then, using the influence domain concept, nodal connectivity is established for each integration point. RPIM shape functions are constructed using polynomial and radial basis functions with interpolating properties. The RPIM linear elastic formulation is then coupled with a bi-evolutionary bone remodelling algorithm, allowing for non-linear structural optimisation analyses and achieving solutions with optimal stiffness/mass ratios. In this work, a vehicle suspension control arm is analysed. The obtained solutions were evaluated, revealing that RPIM allows better solutions with enhanced truss connections and a higher number of intermediate densities. Assuming the obtained optimised solutions, four models are investigated, incorporating established design principles for material removal commonly used in vehicle suspension control arms. The proposed models showed a significant mass reduction, between 18.3% and 31.5%, without losing their stiffness in the same amount. It was found that the models presented a stiffness reduction between 5.4% and 9.8%. The obtained results show that RPIM is capable of delivering solutions similar to FEM, confirming it as an alternative numerical technique.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/502meshless methodsradial point interpolation methodstructural optimisationbone remodelling algorithmvehicle suspension
spellingShingle Carlos Oliveira
Ana Pais
Jorge Belinha
Structural Optimisation of a Suspension Control Arm Using a Bi-Evolutionary Bone Remodelling Inspired Algorithm and the Radial Point Interpolation Method
Applied Sciences
meshless methods
radial point interpolation method
structural optimisation
bone remodelling algorithm
vehicle suspension
title Structural Optimisation of a Suspension Control Arm Using a Bi-Evolutionary Bone Remodelling Inspired Algorithm and the Radial Point Interpolation Method
title_full Structural Optimisation of a Suspension Control Arm Using a Bi-Evolutionary Bone Remodelling Inspired Algorithm and the Radial Point Interpolation Method
title_fullStr Structural Optimisation of a Suspension Control Arm Using a Bi-Evolutionary Bone Remodelling Inspired Algorithm and the Radial Point Interpolation Method
title_full_unstemmed Structural Optimisation of a Suspension Control Arm Using a Bi-Evolutionary Bone Remodelling Inspired Algorithm and the Radial Point Interpolation Method
title_short Structural Optimisation of a Suspension Control Arm Using a Bi-Evolutionary Bone Remodelling Inspired Algorithm and the Radial Point Interpolation Method
title_sort structural optimisation of a suspension control arm using a bi evolutionary bone remodelling inspired algorithm and the radial point interpolation method
topic meshless methods
radial point interpolation method
structural optimisation
bone remodelling algorithm
vehicle suspension
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/502
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AT anapais structuraloptimisationofasuspensioncontrolarmusingabievolutionaryboneremodellinginspiredalgorithmandtheradialpointinterpolationmethod
AT jorgebelinha structuraloptimisationofasuspensioncontrolarmusingabievolutionaryboneremodellinginspiredalgorithmandtheradialpointinterpolationmethod