The research and implementation of rule-based layout optimization of highly complex crash structures is carried out with several publicly and industrially funded projects. In the DFG project "Development of a material model suitable for optimization for automated topology and shape finding of crash structures made of thermoplastic fiber-plastic composites", graphene and heuristic-based topology optimization for use with structures made of fiber composites is being researched together with the Institute for Composite Materials at the University of Kaiserslautern. Many research projects carried out within the framework of a closed cooperation agreement with Volkswagen AG support the further development of GHT.
The basic idea of the method is the use of heuristics that concertedly find optimal layouts with mathematical optimization methods. For example, the heuristic "support of rapidly deformed walls" can be mentioned, which improves the topology of the structure with respect to global buckling. For this purpose, numerous heuristics have been developed at the chair during the last years and integrated into the optimization procedure. Figure 1 shows the standard sequence of the nested optimization loops of the GHT.
This type of approach in structural optimization is illustrated by an application example (Fig. 2) of the combined shape and topology optimization of an aluminum sill. The objective is thus to reduce the maximum force on a penetrating pile (Fig. 2-a), taking into account selected restrictions (penetration depth, the mass and manufacturing requirements). Figure 2-d shows the large improvement towards a uniform force progression, which is desired in vehicle applications, e.g. for lower occupant injuries.
- DFG project "Development of an optimization-oriented material model for the automated topology and form finding of crash structures made of thermoplastic fiber-plastic composites"
- Research project "Graphene- and heuristics-based topology optimization of 3D crash structures of passenger cars" funded by the Research Association for Automotive Technology (FAT)
Schumacher, A.; Beyer, F.; Pohl, T. Utilisation of machine learning methods to set model requirements for CAE-based concept definition
In VDI Wissensforum GmbH, Editor, SIMVEC
Seite 157—173
Herausgeber: VDI Verlag
2024
157—173
ISBN: 9783181024454
Schumacher, A.; Beyer, F. Graphen- und heuristikbasierte Topologieoptimierung von 3D-Crash-Strukturen von Personenkraftwagen
FAT-Schriftenreihe, 388
2025
ISSN: 2192-7863
Schumacher, A. How Mechanically Inspired Design Rules Help in the Topology Optimization of Structures with Highly Nonlinear Behavior
In Altenbach, Holm and Hohe, J. and Mittelstedt, C., Editor, Progress in structural mechanics aus Advanced structured materials
Herausgeber: Springer, Cham
2024
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-45554-4_10
ISBN: 978-3-031-45553-7
Trilling, J.; Schumacher, A.; Zhou, M. Reinforcement learning based agents for improving layouts of automotive crash structures
Applied Intelligence (54) :1751--1769
2024
DOI: 10.1007/s10489-024-05276-6
Schumacher, A.; Beyer, F. Topology optimization of inlay structures for crashboxes
14. Freiberger Crashworkshop
2023
Wielens, S.; Benito-Cia, L.; Schumacher, A. Using automatically generated submodels in vehicle body crash optimization
International Journal of Crashworthiness, 28 (4) :560--573
2023
ISSN: 1358-8265
DOI: 10.1080/13588265.2022.2109873
Beyer, F.; Schumacher, A.; Pohl, T. Neue Möglichkeiten der Graphen- und Heuristikbasierte Topologieoptimierung von 3D-Crash-Strukturen durch detaillierte Modellierung der Verbindungsknoten
SIMVEC, aktuelle Herausforderungen bei der Auslegung und Absicherung von Fahrzeugsystemen aus VDI-Berichte
Seite 213--224
Herausgeber: VDI Verlag, Düsseldorf
2022
213--224
ISBN: 978-3-18-092407-6
Schumacher, A.; Beyer, F. Graph and Heuristic based Topology Optimization of 3D crash structures - Presentation of all essential modules of the fully automatic process
16. LS-DYNA-Forum, Seite 196-197
2022
Sperber, J.; Banda, E. B.; Ortmann, C.; Schumacher, A. Graph Based Algorithms to Enhance Mid-Surface Design Fidelity of Finite Element Models of Extrusion Profiles
Seite 366--382
2021
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-62924-6_31
Beyer, F.; Schneider, D.; Schumacher, A. Finding three-dimensional layouts for crashworthiness load cases using the graph and heuristic based topology optimization
Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 63 (1) :59--73
2021
ISSN: 1615-147X
DOI: 10.1007/s00158-020-02768-0
Ortmann, C.; Sperber, J.; Schneider, D.; Link, S.; Schumacher, A. Crashworthiness design of cross-sections with the Graph and Heuristic based Topology Optimization incorporating competing designs
Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 64 (3) :1063--1077
2021
ISSN: 1615-147X
DOI: 10.1007/s00158-021-02927-x
Schumacher, A.; Link, S.; Sperber, J. Crashauslegung von aus Stahlblechen zusammengesetzten Profilen mit der Graphen- und Heuristikbasierten Topologieoptimierung
Umdruck der Hamburger Karosseriebautage
2021
Schumacher, A.; Beyer, F. Untersuchung zu den Einsatzmöglichkeiten der Graphen- und Heuristikbasierten Topologieoptimierung zur Entwicklung von 3D-Rahmenstrukturen in Crashlastfällen
FAT-Schriftenreihe (329)
2020
ISSN: 2192-7863
Beyer, F.; Schneider, D.; Schumacher, A. Development of heuristics dealing with material failure of composite profile structures for the Graph and Heuristic based Topology Optimization
Advances in Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization (WCSMO13), Seite 400--406, 2020
Link, S.; Schneider, D.; Schumacher, A.; Ortmann, C. Integration of flange connections in the Graph and Heuristic Based Topology Optimization of crashworthiness structures
In Rodrigues, H. C. and Herskovits, J. and Mota Soares, C. M. and Araújo, A. L. and Guedes, J. M. and Folgado, J. O. and Moleiro, F. and Madeira, J. F. A., Editor, EngOpt 2018 Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Engineering Optimization
Seite 619--631
Herausgeber: Springer International Publishing, Cham
2019
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-97773-7_55
ISBN: 978-3-319-97772-0
Schumacher, A. Expert Rules as a powerful support of the Topology Optimization Procedures of Crash Structures
12th European LS-DYNA Conference
2019
Schneider, D.; Schumacher, A.; Donhauser, Tobias; Huf, A.; Schmeer, S. Flexible Graph Syntax for the Topology Optimization of Crashworthiness Profile Structures Made from Thermoplastic Composites
Key Engineering Materials, 809 :493--499
2019
DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.809.493
Schneider, D.; Schumacher, A. Finding Optimized Layouts for Ribs on Surfaces Using the Graph and Heuristic Based Topology Optimization
In Schumacher, A. and Vietor, T. and Fiebig, S. and Bletzinger, K.-U. and Maute, K., Editor, Advances in Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization aus Springer eBook Collection Engineering
Seite 1615--1628
Herausgeber: Springer, Cham
2018
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-67988-4_121
Schumacher, A. On the current need of Expert Rules for the Topology Optimization of Structures with Non-Linear Behaviors
Proceeding of the 13th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM XIII) and 2nd Pan American Congress on Computational Mechanics (PANACM II)
2018
Schneider, D.; Link, S.; Schumacher, A.; Ortmann, C. Graph and Heuristic Based Topology Optimization of Crashworthiness Composite Profile Structures Manufactured by Vacuum Infusion and Gluing
Proceeding of the 13th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM XIII) and 2nd Pan American Congress on Computational Mechanics (PANACM II)
2018
Ortmann, C.; Schumacher, A. Graphen- und Heuristikbasierte Topologieoptimierung (GHT) von Profilquerschnitten für Crashlastfälle
Zeitschrift für numerische Simulationsmethoden und angrenzende Gebiete (35)
2015
ISSN: ISSN 2311-522X
Ortmann, C.; Schumacher, A. Mathematical Description and Algorithmization of Expert Knowledge for the Support of the Topology Optimization of Crashworthiness Structures
PAMM · Proc. Appl. Math. Mech., 14 (1) :1023--1026
2014
Ortmann, C.; Schumacher, A. Branching strategies for the application of heuristics to the topology optimization of crash loaded structures
Proceedings of the 11th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM XI)
2014
Ortmann, C.; Schumacher, A. Graph and heuristic based topology optimization of crash loaded structures
Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 47 (6) :839--854
2013
ISSN: 1615-147X
DOI: 10.1007/s00158-012-0872-7
Ortmann, C.; Schumacher, A. Kombination von mathematischen Verfahren und aus Expertenwissen abgeleiteten Heuristiken zur topologischen Auslegung crashbelasteter Profilquerschnitte in Karosseriestrukturen
VDI-Berichte (2169) :241--356
2012
Olschinka, C.; Schumacher, A. Graph Based Topology Optimization of Crashworthiness Structures
PAMM, 8 (1) :10029--10032
2008
ISSN: 1617-7061
Schumacher, A.; Olschinka, C.; Hoffmann, B. Topology optimization based on graph theory of crash loaded flight passenger seats
7. LS-DYNA-Forum
Herausgeber: DYNAmore GmbH, Stuttgart
2008
ISBN: 3-9809901-4-1
Eschenauer, H.A.; Kobelev, V.V.; Schumacher, A. Bubble method for topology and shape optimization of structures
Journal of Structural Optimization, 8 :42--51
1994
Dissertations:
- Dr.-Ing. Christopher Ortmann (2015): Entwicklung eines graphen- und heuristikbasierten Verfahrens zur Topologieoptimierung von Profilquerschnitten für Crashlastfälle, Shaker Verlag, ISBN: 978-3-8440-3746-3 Download
- Dr.-Ing. Johannes Sperber (2022): Graphen- und Heuristikbasierte Topologieoptimierung axial belasteter Crashstrukturen, Shaker Verlag, ISBN: 978-3-8440-8634-8 Download
- Dr.-Ing Dominik Schneider (2023): Graphen- und heuristikbasierte Topologieoptimierung von Profilstrukturen aus Faser-Kunststoff-Verbunden in Crashanwendungen. Shaker Verlag, ISBN: 978-3-8440-8884-7 Download
- Dr.-Ing. Florian Beyer (2024): Entwicklung eines Optimierungsverfahrens für crashbelastete 3D-Rahmenstrukturen mit der Graphen- und Heuristikbasierten Topologieoptimierung. Shaker Verlag, ISBN: 978-3-8440-9475-6 Download
- Trilling: Unterstützung der Graphen- und Heuristikbasierten Topologieoptimierung crashbelasteter Strukturen durch Reinforcement Learning Download
