– The purpose of this paper is to get the topology shape and material distribution of composite rotor beam under the requirement of cross-sectional characteristics.
– A new multi-material topology optimization method is given. Designated shear center (SC) position and stiffness terms are combined as the objective function. Multi-material model including isotropic and anisotropic materials are employed. Sensitivity analysis is given based on gradient-based algorithm, and density filtering scheme is adopted to avoid checkerboard problem.
– The topology design method of composite rotor beam provides innovative cross-sectional shape and material distribution method. The final topology shape like “>” is given for different material types and cross-sectional shape under SC position requirement. The coefficient of stiffness components has great influence on the cross-sectional final topology shape.
– The proposed method is just to give cross-sectional topology shape. To obtain final actual composite rotor beam structure, shape and size optimization should be conducted if the topology shape is given.
– This method is suitable for the preliminary design of helicopter rotor beam to get designated SC position and stiffness terms.
– The proposed method provides a new gradient-based algorithm for multi-material topology optimization design of composite rotor beam.
