Evaluation of Neural Network-Based Derivatives for Topology Optimization

Neural networks have gained popularity for modeling complex non-linear relationships. Their computational efficiency has led to their growing adoption in optimization methods, including topology optimization. Recently, there have been several contributions toward improving derivatives of neural network outputs, which can improve their use in gradient-based optimization. However, a comparative study has yet to be conducted on the different derivative methods for the sensitivity of the input features on the neural network outputs. This paper aims to evaluate four derivative methods: analytical neural network’s Jacobian, central finite difference method, complex step method, and automatic differentiation. These methods are implemented into density-based and homogenization-based topology optimization using multilayer perceptrons (MLPs). For density-based topology optimization, the MLP approximates Young’s modulus for the solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP) model. For homogenization-based topology optimization, the MLP approximates the homogenized stiffness tensor of a representative volume element, e.g., square cell microstructure with a rectangular hole. The comparative study is performed by solving two-dimensional topology optimization problems using the sensitivity coefficients from each derivative method. Evaluation includes initial sensitivity coefficients, convergence plots, and the final topologies, compliance, and design variables. The findings demonstrate that neural network-based sensitivity coefficients are sufficiently accurate for density-based and homogenization-based topology optimization. The neural network’s Jacobian, complex step method, and automatic differentiation produced identical sensitivity coefficients to working precision. The study’s open-source code is provided through a python repository.