Two-Dimensional Topology Optimization Approach for Designing Bicycle Frames

This paper describes, the use of the topology optimization method for designing a bicycle frame depending directly on the forces applied to it, and not only on the aesthetic parameters. For this, BESO 2D software (Bi-directional Evolutionary Structure Optimization) was used for doing FEM simulation of the frame structure seen by the side, and the topology optimization in itself. Two different approaches for extrapolating the two-dimensional results into threedimensional designs were proposed, and these results were finally shown by using freeCAD software. The results show four different bicycle frame designs obtained by defining in the topology optimization algorithm two different percentages of volume (area) reduction. Finally, to make it easier the future manufacturing these last designs were reinterpreted using pipes like the regular bicycle frames.