Figure. Finite elements in ProTOp are highly specialized for topology optimization; they may be cut by a material border and their material properties are numerically adjusted.
The response fields available with the optimization result are the one computed in the last optimization cycle. Note that these response fields suffer from rather moderate accuracy because they are intended to drive efficiently a highly specialized optimization process. Namely, all finite element analyses in ProTOp are based on special finite elements, custom developed for optimal performance in topology optimization. These elements are fully specialized to support only the underlying optimization procedure.
Figure. Finite elements in ProTOp are highly specialized for topology optimization; they may be cut by a material border and their material properties are numerically adjusted.
The special finite elements used in ProTOp may be cut numerically and their material properties are adjusted to enable a smooth material-to-void transition. Consequently, the delivered response fields accuracy is rather moderate and this is especially exposed within the cut elements. At this point it is important to note that the cut elements are those that define the cut surfaces which are of primal interest in topology optimization.
Figure. Stress levels on cut surfaces are not highly accurate.
IMPORTANT. The response fields offered by ProTOp represent valuable information, but they should not be regarded as high-accuracy response fields. Therefore, the final FEA response verification should always be done with conventional finite elements by using a specialized FEA response software.