On Solution to an Optimal Shape Design Problem in 3-Dimensional Linear Magnetostatics

In this paper we present theoretical, computational, and practical aspects concerning 3-dimensional shape optimization governed by linear magnetostatics. The state solution is approximated by the finite element method using Nédélec elements on tetrahedra. Concerning optimization, the shape controls the interface between the air and the ferromagnetic parts while the whole domain is fixed. We prove the existence of an optimal shape. Then we state a finite element approximation to the optimization problem and prove the convergence of the approximated solutions. In the end, we solve the problem for the optimal shape of an electromagnet that arises in the research on magnetooptic effects and that was manufactured afterwards.     

Shape Optimization for Navier–Stokes Equations with Algebraic Turbulence Model: Existence Analysis

We study a shape optimization problem for the paper machine headbox which distributes a mixture of water and wood fibers in the paper making process. The aim is to find a shape which a priori ensures the given velocity profile on the outlet part. The mathematical formulation leads to an optimal control problem in which the control variable is the shape of the domain representing the header, the state problem is represented by a generalized stationary Navier–Stokes system with nontrivial mixed boundary conditions. In this paper we prove the existence of solutions both to the generalized Navier–Stokes system and to the shape optimization problem.     

Coupling of FEM and BEM in Shape Optimization

In the present paper we consider the numerical solution of shape optimization problems which arise from shape functionals of integral type over a compact region of the unknown shape, especially L ²-tracking type functionals. The underlying state equation is assumed to satisfy a Poisson equation with Dirichlet boundary conditions. We proof that the shape Hessian is not strictly H ^1/2-coercive at the optimal domain which implies ill-posedness of the optimization problem under consideration. Since the adjoint state depends directly on the state, we propose a coupling of finite element methods (FEM) and boundary element methods (BEM) to realize an efficient first order shape optimization algorithm. FEM is applied in the compact region while the rest is treated by BEM. The coupling of FEM and BEM essentially retains all the structural and computational advantages of treating the free boundary by boundary integral equations.This research has been carried out when the second author stayed at the Department of Mathematics, Utrecht University, The Netherlands, supported by the EU-IHP project Nonlinear Approximation and Adaptivity: Breaking Complexity in Numerical Modelling and Data Representation     

An Approach to Shape Optimization with State Constraints

We introduce a new approach to solve shape optimization problems with state constraints. The problem is reformulated on a fixed reference domain using conformal pull-back. The shape dependence is then hidden in the conformal parameter. The problem is discretized using FEM and solved as an NLP. Finally the optimal shape can be reconstructed from the optimal conformal parameter. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Shape Optimization for Navier–Stokes Equations with Algebraic Turbulence Model: Numerical Analysis and Computation

We study the shape optimization problem for the paper machine headbox which distributes a mixture of water and wood fibers in the paper making process. The aim is to find a shape which a priori ensures the given velocity profile on the outlet part. The mathematical formulation leads to the optimal control problem in which the control variable is the shape of the domain representing the header, the state problem is represented by the generalized Navier-Stokes system with nontrivial boundary conditions. This paper deals with numerical aspects of the problem.     

Modeling,shape analysis and computation of the equilibrium pore shape near a PEM–PEM intersection

In this paper we study the equilibrium shape of an interface that represents the lateral boundary of a pore channel embedded in an elastomer. The model consists of a system of PDEs, comprising a linear elasticity equation for displacements within the elastomer and a nonlinear Poisson equation for the electric potential within the channel (filled with protons and water). To determine the equilibrium interface, a variational approach is employed. We analyze: (i) the existence and uniqueness of the electrical potential, (ii) the shape derivatives of state variables and (iii) the shape differentiability of the corresponding energy and the corresponding Euler–Lagrange equation. The latter leads to a modified Young–Laplace equation on the interface. This modified equation is compared with the classical Young–Laplace equation by computing several equilibrium shapes, using a fixed point algorithm.     

Error analysis and improvement of first-order design sensitivity relations

This contribution is concerned with novel approaches for error estimation and the improvement of first-order design sensitivities for the state. These approaches are based on an exact representation of the design sensitivity of the state, which is obtained by performing different Taylor expansions with integral remainders. We consider a general variational framework and present the application of the proposed approach to shape sensitivity for the model problem of nonlinear elasticity. (© 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Design sensitivity for arch structures with respect to midsurface shape under static loading

We consider in this paper an example of structural optimization in which the structure is a loaded arch and the design variable is the shape of the arch. We concentrate on differentiability of static response with respect to shape changes. After recalling the arch equation with its functional spaces and the optimization problem, we state a differentiability theorem and provide a detailed proof. Numerical use of this result is finally discussed.     

Shape sensitivity analysis of an elastic contact problem: Convergence of the Nitsche based finite element approximation

In a recent work, we introduced a finite element approximation for the shape optimization of an elastic structure in sliding contact with a rigid foundation where the contact condition (Signorini’s condition) is approximated by Nitsche’s method and the shape gradient is obtained via the adjoint state method. The motivation of this work is to propose an a priori convergence analysis of the numerical approximation of the variables of the shape gradient (displacement and adjoint state) and to show some numerical results in agreement with the theoretical ones. The main difficulty comes from the non-differentiability of the contact condition in the classical sense which requires the notion of conical differentiability.     

Shape Optimization in 2D Contact Problems with Given Friction and a Solution-Dependent Coefficient of Friction

The paper deals with shape optimization of elastic bodies in unilateral contact. The aim is to extend the existing results to the case of contact problems, where the coefficient of friction depends on the solution. We consider the two-dimensional Signorini problem, coupled with the physically less accurate model of given friction, but assume a solution-dependent coefficient of friction. First, we investigate the shape optimization problem in the continuous, infinite-dimensional setting, followed by a suitable finite-dimensional approximation based on the finite-element method. Convergence analysis is presented as well. Next, an algebraic form of the state problem is studied, which is obtained from the discretized problem by further approximating the frictional term by a quadrature rule. It is shown that if the coefficient of friction is Lipschitz continuous with a sufficiently small modulus, then the algebraic state problem is uniquely solvable and its solution is a Lipschitz continuous function of the control variable, describing the shape of the elastic body. For the purpose of numerical solution of the shape optimization problem via the so-called implicit programming approach we perform sensitivity analysis by using the tools from the generalized differential calculus of Mordukhovich. The paper is concluded first order optimality conditions.     

On Optimal Control of a Free Surface Flow

We discuss an optimal control approach for a 2D Stokes flow with a free surface. The aim is to optimize the shape of a polymer film by adjusting the ambient pressure in a casting process. The resulting minimization problem is solved by the method of steepest descent. Numerical results will be presented. Furthermore we state the adjoint system for the Lagrangian formalism. (© 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A phase field approach to shape optimization in Navier–Stokes flow with integral state constraints

We consider the shape optimization of an object in Navier–Stokes flow by employing a combined phase field and porous medium approach, along with additional perimeter regularization. By considering integral control and state constraints, we extend the results of earlier works concerning the existence of optimal shapes and the derivation of first order optimality conditions. The control variable is a phase field function that prescribes the shape and topology of the object, while the state variables are the velocity and the pressure of the fluid. In our analysis, we cover a multitude of constraints which include constraints on the center of mass, the volume of the fluid region, and the total potential power of the object. Finally, we present numerical results of the optimization problem that is solved using the variable metric projection type (VMPT) method proposed by Blank and Rupprecht, where we consider one example of topology optimization without constraints and one example of maximizing the lift of the object with a state constraint, as well as a comparison with earlier results for the drag minimization.     

On a Kohn-Vogelius like formulation of free boundary problems

The present paper is concerned with the solution of a Bernoulli type free boundary problem by means of shape optimization. Two state functions are introduced, namely one which satisfies the mixed boundary value problem, whereas the second one satisfies the pure Dirichlet problem. The shape problem under consideration is the minimization of the L ²-distance of the gradients of the state functions. We compute the corresponding shape gradient and Hessian. By the investigation of sufficient second order conditions we prove algebraic ill-posedness of the present formulation. Our theoretical findings are supported by numerical experiments.     

Interface minimisant l'énergie dans un écoulement stationnaire de Navier-Stokes

We study the existence of solution for the minimization of the energy of an incompressible viscous fluid with respect to the shape of the domain occupied by the fluid. We show that the state equations can be relaxed to measurable sets. So an existence result can be obtained in the family of Cacciopoli sets. We present the optimality condition in the smooth case.     

A shape optimization approach for a class of free boundary problems of Bernoulli type

We are interested in an optimal shape design formulation for a class of free boundary problems of Bernoulli type. We show the existence of the optimal solution of this problem by proving continuity of the solution of the state problem with respect to the domain. The main tools in establishing such a continuity are a result concerning uniform continuity of the trace operator with respect to the domain and a recent result on the uniform Poincaré inequality for variable domains.     

Shape optimization for Stokes flow

This paper is concerned with a shape sensitivity analysis of a viscous incompressible fluid driven by Stokes equations. The structures of continuous shape gradients with respect to the shape of the variable domain for some given cost functionals are established by introducing the Piola transformation and then deriving the state derivative and its associated adjoint state. Finally we give the finite element approximation of the problem and a gradient type algorithm is effectively used for our problem.     

Optimal Thickness of a Cylindrical Shell Under a Time-Dependent Force

We discuss thickness optimization problems for cylindrical tubes that are loaded by time-dependent applied force. This is a problem of shape optimization that leads to optimal control in linear elasticity theory. We determine the optimal thickness of a cylindrical tube by minimizing the deformation of the tube under the influence of an external force. The main difficulty is that the state equation is a hyperbolic partial differential equation of the fourth order. The first order necessary conditions for the optimal solution are derived. Based on them, a numerical method is set up and numerical examples are presented.     

Efficient treatment of stationary free boundary problems

In the present paper we consider the efficient treatment of free boundary problems by shape optimization. We reformulate the free boundary problem as shape optimization problem. A second order shape calculus enables us to analyze the shape problem under consideration and to prove convergence of a Ritz–Galerkin approximation of the shape. We show that Newton's method requires only access to the underlying state function on the boundary of the domain. We compute these data by boundary integral equations which are numerically solved by a fast wavelet Galerkin scheme. Numerical results prove that we succeeded in finding a fast and robust algorithm for solving the considered class of problems.     

Shape and Morse theory of attractors

We study the shape (in the sense of Borsuk) of attractors of continuous semi‐dynamical systems on general metric spaces. We show, in particular, that the natural inclusion of the global attractor into the state space is a shape equivalence. This and other results of the paper are used to develop an elementary Morse theory of an attractor. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Une conduite cylindrique n'est pas optimale pour minimiser l'énergie dissipée par un fluide

We consider an incompressible fluid in a three-dimensional cylindrical pipe, following the Navier–Stokes system with classical boundary conditions on the boundary of the cylinder. We are interested in the following question: is the cylinder the optimal shape for the criterion “energy dissipated by the fluid”? We prove that it is not the case. For that purpose, we explicit the first order optimality condition, thanks to adjoint state and we prove that it is impossible that the adjoint state be a solution of this over-determined system. To cite this article: A. Henrot, Y. Privat, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 346 (2008).