Speaker
Description
Structural optimisation is crucial in modern engineering, especially for ambitious projects like the Future Circular Collider, a proposed 90.6 km high-luminosity electron-positron collider. This contribution focuses on designing a lightweight yet robust support structure for the interaction region, minimising material while achieving mechanical performance criteria.
A three-stage optimisation strategy was applied at both macro and micro scales. In the first stage, the interaction region's main components supporting structure was optimised using the Solid Isotropic Material with Penalisation method and generative design. Mass reductions of 76%, 73%, and 68% were achieved for two, three, and four anchoring point configurations, respectively.
The second stage refined local regions using Solid Isotropic Material with Penalisation method, generative design, and lattice-based, field-driven optimisation, achieving up to 80% mass reduction.
The third phase developed a custom lattice structure based on minimal surfaces. An iterative particle-spring dynamic model was implemented to generate the lattice while satisfying symmetry and boundary conditions. In comparison with the usual method for the minimal surface evaluation, using the Lagrangian equation, the proposed methodology allows to find the minimal surface configuration using iterative steps of equilibrium.
Throughout each phase of this study, various optimisation methods were employed to determine the most effective approach for the analysed support structure, ranging from the overall structure to the individual cell of the lattice structure.