Finite element approximation for optimal shape design. Theory and applications.

The goal in optimal shape design (structural organization, or redesign) is to computerize the design process and therefore shorten the time it takes to design or improve the existing design. In an optimal shape design process one wishes to optimize a criteria involving a solution of a partial differential equation with respect to its domain of definition. The detailed study of this subject is at the interface of four fields - optimal control, partial differential equations, numerical analysis and optimization. This work is devoted to the mathematical basis of optimal shape design as well as to finite element approximation and to numerical realization by applying optimization techniques. The main aim is to see the optimal design problems via the optimal control theory when the state systems are governed by variational equalities. The most characteristic property of variational inequalities is the fact that their solution does not depend smoothly, in general, on the control. Hence the shape sensitivity analysis is a crucial question, especially in the design of the solution procedures, as the objective functional may not be smooth.