Efficient topology optimization in MATLAB using 88 lines of code

This paper presents an efficient 88 line MATLAB code for topology optimization. It has been developed using the 99 line code presented by Sigmund (2001) as a starting point. The original code has been extended by a density filter, and a considerable improvement in efficiency has been achieved, mainly by preallocating arrays and vectorizing loops. A speed improvement with a factor of 100 is achieved for a benchmark example with 7500 elements. Moreover, the length of the code has been reduced to a mere 88 lines. These improvements have been accomplished without sacrificing the readability of the code. The 88 line code can therefore be considered as a valuable successor to the 99 line code, providing a practical instrument that may help to ease the learning curve for those entering the field of topology optimization. The complete 88 line code is included as an appendix and can be downloaded from the web site www.topopt.dtu.dk. This is uncorrected version of the paper: Efficient topology optimization in MATLAB using 88 lines of code, E. Andreassen, A. Clausen, M. Schevenels, B. S. Lazarov and O. Sigmund, Struct Multidisc Optim, 43, pp 1-16, 2011