Dynamic programming approach to structural optimization problem – numerical algorithm

In this paper a new shape optimization algorithm is presented. As a model application we consider state problems related to fluid mechanics, namely the Navier-Stokes equations for viscous incompressible fluids. The general approach to the problem is described. Next, transformations to classical optimal control problems are presented. Then, the dynamic programming approach is used and sufficient conditions for the shape optimization problem are given. A new numerical method to find the approximate value function is developed

Mini-Workshop: Geometries, Shapes and Topologies in PDE-based Applications

The aim of the workshop was to study geometrical objects and their sensitivities in applications based on partial differential equations or differential variational inequalities. Focus topics comprised analytical investigations, numerical developments, issues in applications as well as new and future directions. Particular emphasis was put on: (i) combined shape and topological sensitivity; (ii) extended topological expansions and their numerical realization; (iii) level set based shape and topology optimization

Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations

These lecture notes are devoted to the numerical solution of partial differential equations (PDEs). PDEs arise in many fields and are extremely important in modeling of technical processes with applications in physics, biology, chemisty, economics, mechanical engineering, and so forth. In these notes, not only classical topics for linear PDEs such as finite differences, finite elements, error estimation, and numerical solution schemes are addressed, but also schemes for nonlinear PDEs and coupled problems up to current state-of-the-art techniques are covered. In the Winter 2020/2021 an International Class with additional funding from DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) and local funding from the Leibniz University Hannover, has led to additional online materials such as links to youtube videos, which complement these lecture notes. This is the updated and extended Version 2. The first version was published under the DOI: https://doi.org/10.15488/9248

Optimal Strokes for Driftless Swimmers: A General Geometric Approach

Swimming consists by definition in propelling through a fluid by means of bodily movements. Thus, from a mathematical point of view, swimming turns into a control problem for which the controls are the deformations of the swimmer. The aim of this paper is to present a unified geometric approach for the optimization of the body deformations of so-called driftless swimmers. The class of driftless swimmers includes, among other, swimmers in a 3D Stokes flow (case of micro-swimmers in viscous fluids) or swimmers in a 2D or 3D potential flow. A general framework is introduced, allowing the complete analysis of five usual nonlinear optimization problems to be carried out. The results are illustrated with examples coming from the literature and with an in-depth study of a swimmer in a 2D potential flow. Numerical tests are also provided

Shape derivatives of boundary integral operators in electromagnetic scattering. Part I: Shape differentiability of pseudo-homogeneous boundary integral operators

In this paper we study the shape differentiability properties of a class of boundary integral operators and of potentials with weakly singular pseudo-homogeneous kernels acting between classical Sobolev spaces, with respect to smooth deformations of the boundary. We prove that the boundary integral operators are infinitely differentiable without loss of regularity. The potential operators are infinitely shape differentiable away from the boundary, whereas their derivatives lose regularity near the boundary. We study the shape differentiability of surface differential operators. The shape differentiability properties of the usual strongly singular or hypersingular boundary integral operators of interest in acoustic, elastodynamic or electromagnetic potential theory can then be established by expressing them in terms of integral operators with weakly singular kernels and of surface differential operators