Optimal loading of solids by the boundary element method

Material and Load Optimization of Thermoelastic Solids. Part I: Sensitivity Analysis

“…For a generally shaped thermoelastic solid body spatial discretization of the variables must be done in order to solve the primary and adjoint problems and evaluate the sensitivity coefficients. Finite-difference, finite-element, or boundary element methods may be used for this purpose [4][5][6][7].…”

“…Within the class of static (or steady-state) optimization problems, optimal configuration of material properties (e.g., Young's modulus, mass density, thermal conductivity) [7,9] and loading functions (e.g., boundary surfacetractions and heat fluxes) [4][5][6] may be important in structural and thermal systems. With the increased emphasis on savings in materials and energy in general, the need exists for optimization of engineering systems.…”

“…,. The study represents a generalization of previous work done by the same author [4][5][6][7]. In those studies only unconstrained optimization problems were examined; Refs.…”

“…In those studies only unconstrained optimization problems were examined; Refs. [4][5][6] dealt with the load optimization of isothermal elastic solids, and Ref. [7.] contained a material optimization study of thermally conducting bodies.…”