Natural Frequency Based Topology Optimization of an Aircraft Engine Support Frame

Abstract The multi-stage design space refinement (MSDSR) technique increases the likelihood of convergence of topology optimization (TO) with large volume fraction constraints. This work considers MSDSR TO of an aircraft engine support frame with a natural frequency-based objective function. The problem statement maximized the first natural frequency, effectively maximizing the stiffness to mass ratio of the frame. The problem statement considered natural frequency constraints, which eliminated all natural frequencies within 5% of the engine excitation frequency times a safety factor of two. The design space did not consider the initial geometry; therefore, allowing for the determination of the optimal stiffener location on the initial geometry. The results of this work increased the first natural frequency of the engine support frame by 25.9%, eliminated all natural frequencies within 11.3% of the engine excitation frequency, and added only 0.253 kg of mass to the frame. The results of this work further demonstrate the advantages of MSDSR TO and the impact that it can have on the aerospace industry. Specifically, the design space considered in this work allows for the structural reinforcement of a pre-existing design, which is easier to implement and easier to regulate than similar results from the literature.