Abstract: The finite element method to form Michell truss in three-dimensions is presented.The orthotropic composite with fiber-reinforcement is employed as the material model to simulate Michell truss.The orientation and densities of fibers at nodes are taken as basic design variables.The stresses and strains at nodes are calculated by finite element method.An iteration scheme is suggested to adjust the orientations of fibers to be along the orientations of principal stresses, and the densities of fibers according to the strains in the orientations of fibers.The strain field satisfying Michell criteria and truss-like continuum are achieved after several iterations. Lastly, the Michell truss is showed by continuous lines, which are formed according to the orientations of fibers at nodes. Several examples are used to demonstrate the efficiency of the presented approach.

Key words: structural optimization, finite element method, topology optimization, Michell truss, stress constraint