ISBN 9783843905794

978-3-8439-0579-4, Reihe Ingenieurwissenschaften

Mike Nicolai
Shape Optimization for Fluids Using T-Splines for Shape Representation and Stabilized Finite Elements for the Fluid Flow Simulations

204 Seiten, Dissertation Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen (2012), Softcover, A5

Zusammenfassung / Abstract

Computer simulations of fluid flows have steadily gained acceptance as an effective tool for evaluation of design modifications in the last decades. Shape optimization for fluids additionally offers a mathematical way to find optimal geometries.

This thesis describes first the development of a new shape optimization framework for fluids. The shape representations in the framework are realized by T-splines: this novel approach brings advantages when a further processing of the final shape in CAD programs is needed. The shape modifications are steered by a combination of an optimization algorithm, which is coupled to a flow solver. The framework utilizes as a flow solver the stabilized finite element method for solving the Navier-Stokes Equations and the shape dependent sensitivities.

The framework is successfully validated by means of analytic solutions and various test cases, from different sectors. An example of shape optimization applied to a biomedical problem and a problem from plastics industry is also reported.