Topology optimization of modular structures with multiple assemblies and applications to airborne shelves

This work is devoted to the aeronautical application of topology optimization for modular structures with multiple assemblies that consist of repeated standard modules and optional reinforcements. These kinds of structures are widely used owing to their transportability, reconfigurability, low manufacturing and service costs. In this work, the design of airborne shelves with modular structures characterized by the standard module configuration is formulated for the first time as a topology optimization problem of multiple assemblies and multiple load cases subjected to the volume constraint. It is shown that the weighted compliance design of multiple assemblies is a compromising solution compared to the optimization result of each individual assembly of standard modules. Meanwhile, the performance of optimized airborne shelves with the modular structures can effectively be ameliorated with the help of reinforcements.