Distributed-parameter optimization and topology design for nonlinear thermoelasticity (Q1372795)

A new method for making the compliance optimization problem well-posed has recently been proposed. This method introduces an additional constraint on the perimeter of the solid regions in the design, to make the problem well-posed. We show that the perimeter method can be used even when the material behavior involves material and geometric nonlinearities. We formulate the distributed-parameter optimization and topology design problems (using the perimeter method) for nonlinear thermoelasticity. Finite element optimization procedures based on this formulation are developed and numerical solutions for the distributed-parameter optimization problem are presented. Though we use the compliance as the objective function, one could optimize any objective function by making minor modifications in the method outlined here.