Reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces and variable metric algorithms in PDE constrained shape optimisation

In this paper we investigate and compare different gradient algorithms designed for the domain expression of the shape derivative. Our main focus is to examine the usefulness of kernel reproducing Hilbert spaces for PDE constrained shape optimisation problems. We show that radial kernels provide convenient formulas for the shape gradient that can be efficiently used in numerical simulations. The shape gradients associated with radial kernels depend on a so called smoothing parameter that allows a smoothness adjustment of the shape during the optimisation process. Besides, this smoothing parameter can be used to modify the movement of the shape. The theoretical findings are verified in a number of numerical experiments

Distributed shape derivative via averaged adjoint method and applications

The structure theorem of Hadamard-Zol\'esio states that the derivative of a shape functional is a distribution on the boundary of the domain depending only on the normal perturbations of a smooth enough boundary. Actually the domain representation, also known as distributed shape derivative, is more general than the boundary expression as it is well-defined for shapes having a lower regularity. It is customary in the shape optimization literature to assume regularity of the domains and use the boundary expression of the shape derivative for numerical algorithms. In this paper we describe several advantages of the distributed shape derivative in terms of generality, easiness of computation and numerical implementation. We identify a tensor representation of the distributed shape derivative, study its properties and show how it allows to recover the boundary expression directly. We use a novel Lagrangian approach, which is applicable to a large class of shape optimization problems, to compute the distributed shape derivative. We also apply the technique to retrieve the distributed shape derivative for electrical impedance tomography. Finally we explain how to adapt the level set method to the distributed shape derivative framework and present numerical results

Shape optimisation for a class of semilinear variational inequalities with applications to damage models

The present contribution investigates shape optimisation problems for a class of semilinear elliptic variational inequalities with Neumann boundary conditions. Sensitivity estimates and material derivatives are firstly derived in an abstract operator setting where the operators are defined on polyhedral subsets of reflexive Banach spaces. The results are then refined for variational inequalities arising from minimisation problems for certain convex energy functionals considered over upper obstacle sets in $H^1$. One particularity is that we allow for dynamic obstacle functions which may arise from another optimisation problems. We prove a strong convergence property for the material derivative and establish state-shape derivatives under regularity assumptions. Finally, as a concrete application from continuum mechanics, we show how the dynamic obstacle case can be used to treat shape optimisation problems for time-discretised brittle damage models for elastic solids. We derive a necessary optimality system for optimal shapes whose state variables approximate desired damage patterns and/or displacement fields

Optimal actuator design based on shape calculus

An approach to optimal actuator design based on shape and topology optimisation techniques is presented. For linear diffusion equations, two scenarios are considered. For the first one, best actuators are determined depending on a given initial condition. In the second scenario, optimal actuators are determined based on all initial conditions not exceeding a chosen norm. Shape and topological sensitivities of these cost functionals are determined. A numerical algorithm for optimal actuator design based on the sensitivities and a level-set method is presented. Numerical results support the proposed methodology.Comment: 41 pages, several figure

Lagrange method in shape optimization for non-linear partial differential equations: A material derivative free approach

This paper studies the relationship between the material derivative method, the shape derivative method, the min-max formulation of Correa and Seeger, and the Lagrange method introduced by Céa. A theorem is formulated which allows a rigorous proof of the shape differentiability without the usage of material derivative; the domain expression is automatically obtained and the boundary expression is easy to derive. Furthermore, the theorem is applied to a cost function which depends on a quasi-linear transmission problem. Using a Gagliardo penalization the existence of optimal shapes is established