Topology optimization of gravity retaining walls

In this study, the topology optimization process for the elastic and plastic situation was carried out with the ABAQUS/CAE program by placing a built-in support at the base and restrictions on their offset in the x direction on square retaining walls with a unit edge of 3 m, 4 m and 5 m, subjecting a 50 kPa triangular distributed load. Optimization process for the elastic situation was performed from the optimization module within the ABAQUS/CAE program. Our optimization criteria set through the program, our objective function is to minimize the stress energy and the determined constraint is to prevent the total volume from falling below 30% as a result of optimization. For the plastic situation, the optimization was run through the ABAQUS scripting interface by writing a code in Phyton language. Parts with low strain energy were removed from the system with iterations. When a logical inference is made by looking at the topologies that have emerged, the retaining walls used today and the optimum topographies resulting from the ABAQUS/CAE program are largely similar. Therefore, ABAQUS / CAE program can be used in optimization processes in the field of civil engineering.