Topology optimization

Topology optimization  can be defined as:

A mathematical process whereby the location and number of voids within a structure is defined given a prescribed set of limitations and a clear objective. Topology optimization is widely used in the concept design stage of a product design process due to its efficiency.

See Optimization (mathematics) for a definition of optimization

Distinction
Topology Optimization is distinct from shape optimization since typically shape optimization methods work in a subset of allowable shapes which have fixed topological properties, such as having a fixed number of holes in them. Therefore topology optimization is used to generate concepts and shape optimization is used to finetune a chosen design topology.

There are various methods used to perform Topology Optimization, Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) and Evolutionary Structural Optimization (ESO) being two.

Softwares

 * HyperWorks OptiStruct - Topology optimization software from Altair Engineering