Topology Optimization of Lightweight Simply Supported Beams under Nonlinear Impact Loading

Topology Optimization of Lightweight Simply Supported Beams under Nonlinear Impact Loading | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Topology Optimization of Lightweight Simply Supported Beams under Nonlinear Impact Loading Mahmoud Fadhel Idan This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7754674/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study addresses the topology optimization of lightweight simply supported beam structures subjected to nonlinear dynamic impact loading. A density-based Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) method was integrated with a finite element formulation in MATLAB to minimize compliance under a prescribed volume fraction constraint. The transient impact was modeled as a sudden excitation induced by a rigid mass with an initial velocity, capturing the nonlinear dynamic response. The optimization framework was applied to an Euler–Bernoulli beam configuration, where results highlighted the dominance of fundamental vibration modes. Numerical simulations demonstrated that optimized beam topologies achieved up to a 40% reduction in structural mass while maintaining adequate stiffness, acceptable stress levels, and energy absorption capacity. The findings confirm that SIMP-based topology optimization not only enhances the stiffness-to-mass ratio but also improves impact resistance, establishing a robust framework for designing lightweight and resilient structures. These outcomes highlight significant potential for applications in aerospace, automotive, and defense engineering, where weight efficiency and impact resistance are critical design requirements. Topology optimization SIMP method finite element analysis nonlinear dynamics impact loading lightweight structures Euler–Bernoulli beam aerospace engineering automotive design defense applications Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7754674","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":523684970,"identity":"aed579fd-6886-4633-8992-bcabb60a747f","order_by":0,"name":"Mahmoud Fadhel 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