Scope
Connections in topology optimization with screws are typically considered as fixed boundaries on the contact surface of the screw heads. By doing so, the boundary of the optimization is limited, and the design space cannot be fully exploit. The formulation here utilize the force coming from the screws to apply pressure on structural parts which are connected to the boundary. The approach is carried out in a two-step procedure where at first the best attachment points of the global loads are calculated. The second step involves both global loads and screw loads to determine
the final structure.
Results
Computational methods to simultaneously optimize structural load paths and screw connections.
