SHAPE DESIGN SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF ACOUSTIC PROBLEMS USING A BOUNDARY-ELEMENT METHOD

A boundary integral equation for shape design sensitivity analysis of acoustic problems is presented. In the derivation of the sensitivity e quation, the material derivative concept is used. To remove the singul aritiess that appear in the conventional sensitivity equation, an inte gral identity which represents the one-dimensional wave propagation is used. Since the sensitivity equation is regularized, one can obtain t he accurate solution using the standard Gaussian scheme. The equation is verified for the pulsating sphere example where an analytical solut ion is available. The boundary was discretized by a six-node triangula r element. As a result, one can obtain the accurate sensitivities of a coustic pressure not only on the boundary but also at the given field points. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.