Simultaneous reconstruction of the time-dependent Robin coefficient and heat flux in heat conduction problems

This paper aims to solve an inverse heat conduction problem in two-dimensional space under transient regime, which consists of the estimation of multiple time-dependent heat sources placed at the boundaries. Robin boundary condition (third type boundary condition) is considered at the working domain boundary. The simultaneous identification problem is formulated as a constrained minimization problem using the output least squares method with Tikhonov regularization. The properties of the continuous and discrete optimization problem are studied. Differentiability results and the adjoint problems are established. The numerical estimation is investigated using a modified conjugate gradient method. Furthermore, to verify the performance of the proposed algorithm, obtained results are compared with results obtained from the well-known finite-element software COMSOL Multiphysics under the same conditions. The numerical results show that the proposed algorithm is accurate, robust and capable of simultaneously representing the time effects on reconstructing the time-dependent Robin coefficient and heat flux.     

Optimization of a variable mouth acoustic horn

By using boundary shape optimization on the end part of a semi‐infinite waveguide for acoustic waves, we design transmission‐efficient interfacial devices without imposing an upper bound on the mouth diameter. The boundary element method solves the Helmholtz equation modeling the exterior wave propagation problem. A gradient‐based optimization algorithm solves the resulting least‐squares problem and the adjoint method provides the necessary gradients. The results demonstrate that there appears to be a natural limit on the optimal mouth diameter. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

正交各向异性孔板的材料参数识别

结合优化技术和边界元分析,针对正交各向异性孔板进行了材料参数的识别。材料参数识别的问题转化为极小化目标函数的问题,其中目标函数定义为测量位移与边界元计算相应的位移之差的平方和。采用Levenberg-Marquardt方法解极小化目标函数的问题,其中灵敏度的计算是基于离散的边界元代数矩阵方程对识别材料参数的求导。数值算例中,首先把边界元计算正交各向异性圆孔方板位移的结果与解析解进行比较,两者符合良好;然后采用本文提出的方法识别正交各向异性圆孔方板的材料参数。数值算例表明本文提出的方法是有效的。     

Solution of Inverse Boundary Optimization Problem by Trefftz Method and Exponentially Convergent Scalar Homotopy Algorithm

The inverse boundary optimization problem, governed by the Helmholtz equation, is analyzed by the Trefftz method (TM) and the exponentially convergent scalar homotopy algorithm (ECSHA). In the inverse boundary optimization problem, the position for part of boundary with given boundary condition is unknown, and the position for the rest of boundary with additionally specified boundary conditions is given. Therefore, it is very difficult to handle the boundary optimization problem by any numerical scheme. In order to stably solve the boundary optimization problem, the TM, one kind of boundary-type meshless methods, is adopted in this study, since it can avoid the generation of mesh grid and numerical integration. In the boundary optimization problem governed by the Helmholtz equation, the numerical solution of TM is expressed as linear combination of the T-complete functions. When this problem is considered by TM, a system of nonlinear algebraic equations will be formed and solved by ECSHA which will converge exponentially. The evolutionary process of ECSHA can acquire the unknown coefficients in TM and the spatial position of the unknown boundary simultaneously. Some numerical examples will be provided to demonstrate the ability and accuracy of the proposed scheme. Besides, the stability of the proposed meshless method will be validated by adding some noise into the boundary conditions.     

Solving initial and boundary value problems using learning automata particle swarm optimization

In this article, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is modified to use the learning automata (LA) technique for solving initial and boundary value problems. A constrained problem is converted into an unconstrained problem using a penalty method to define an appropriate fitness function, which is optimized using the LA-PSO method. This method analyses a large number of candidate solutions of the unconstrained problem with the LA-PSO algorithm to minimize an error measure, which quantifies how well a candidate solution satisfies the governing ordinary differential equations (ODEs) or partial differential equations (PDEs) and the boundary conditions. This approach is very capable of solving linear and nonlinear ODEs, systems of ordinary differential equations, and linear and nonlinear PDEs. The computational efficiency and accuracy of the PSO algorithm combined with the LA technique for solving initial and boundary value problems were improved. Numerical results demonstrate the high accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method.     

A consistent grayscale‐free topology optimization method using the level‐set method and zero‐level boundary tracking mesh

This paper proposes a level‐set based topology optimization method incorporating a boundary tracking mesh generating method and nonlinear programming. Because the boundary tracking mesh is always conformed to the structural boundary, good approximation to the boundary is maintained during optimization; therefore, structural design problems are solved completely without grayscale material. Previously, we introduced the boundary tracking mesh generating method into level‐set based topology optimization and updated the design variables by solving the level‐set equation. In order to adapt our previous method to general structural optimization frameworks, the incorporation of the method with nonlinear programming is investigated in this paper. To successfully incorporate nonlinear programming, the optimization problem is regularized using a double‐well potential. Furthermore, the sensitivities with respect to the design variables are strictly derived to maintain consistency in mathematical programming. We expect the investigation to open up a new class of grayscale‐free topology optimization. The usefulness of the proposed method is demonstrated using several numerical examples targeting two‐dimensional compliant mechanism and metallic waveguide design problems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A three-dimensional boundary determination problem in potential corrosion damage

In this paper we consider the identification of the geometric structure of the boundary of the solution domain for the three-dimensional Laplace equation. We investigate the determination of the shape of an unknown portion of the boundary of a solution domain from Cauchy data on the remaining portion of the boundary. This problem arises in the study of quantitative non-destructive evaluation of corrosion in materials in which boundary measurements of currents and voltages are used to determine the material loss caused by corrosion. The domain identification problem is considered as a variational problem to minimize a defect functional, which utilises some additional data on certain known parts of the boundary. A sequential quadratic programming (SQP) optimization algorithm is used in order to minimise the objective functional. The unknown boundary is parameterized using B-splines. The Laplace equation is discretised using the method of fundamental solutions (MFS). Numerical results are presented and discussed for several test examples.     

Computational fluid dynamics and interactive multiobjective optimization in the development of low-emission industrial boilers

A CFD-based model is applied to study emission formation in a bubbling fluidized bed boiler burning biomass. After the model is validated to a certain extent, it is used for optimization. There are nine design variables (nine distinct NH₃ injections in the selective non-catalytic reduction process) and two objective functions (which minimize NO and NH₃ emissions in flue gas). The multiobjective optimization problem is solved using the reference-point method involving an achievement scalarizing function. The interactive reference-point method is applied to generate Pareto optimal solutions. Two inherently different optimization algorithms, viz. a genetic algorithm and Powell's conjugate-direction method, are applied in the solution of the resulting optimization problem. It is shown that optimization connected with CFD is a promising design tool for combustion optimization. The strengths and weaknesses of the proposed approach and of the methods applied are discussed from the point of view of a complex real-world optimization problem.     

Direct solution of ill‐posed boundary value problems by radial basis function collocation method

Numerical solution of ill‐posed boundary value problems normally requires iterative procedures. In a typical solution, the ill‐posed problem is first converted to a well‐posed one by assuming the missing boundary values. The new problem is solved by a conventional numerical technique and the solution is checked against the unused data. The problem is solved iteratively using optimization schemes until convergence is achieved. The present paper offers a different procedure. Using the radial basis function collocation method, we demonstrate that the solution of certain ill‐posed problems can be accomplished without iteration. This method not only is efficient and accurate, but also circumvents the stability problem that can exist in the iterative method. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于骨架提取的拓扑优化最小尺寸精确控制

受到可制造性的约束,拓扑优化技术目前多用于结构的概念设计,因此,研究直接面向加工制造的拓扑优化方法很有必要。该文基于启发式BESO(Bi-directional Evolutionary Structural Optimization)算法,提出了一种高效的可精确控制结构最小尺寸的拓扑优化方法。通过灵敏度插值,细化边界单元,改进BESO算法,解决边界不光滑问题;采用拓扑细化方法,提取拓扑结构的骨架构型;以此为基础,判定结构中不满足最小尺寸约束的部位,基于改进的BESO算法,实现拓扑优化结构的最小尺寸精确控制;此外,在优化过程中,通过松弛施加最小尺寸约束的方法,有效避免优化早熟问题。数值算例表明了该拓扑优化方法的有效性。     

Inverse problems for estimating bottom boundary conditions of natural waters

Unknown boundary conditions for natural waters are estimated using an inverse problem methodology. In the formulation of the inverse problem, expressed as a non‐linear constrained optimization problem, its objective function is given by a square difference term, between experimental and computed data, added to a regularization operator. The computed data are obtained by solving the radiative transfer direct problem using the LTS_N method. A key aspect to get a good reconstruction is played by observed data quality. The reconstruction strategy is examined for in situ radiance and irradiance data for many arrangements of the experimental grid of the measurement devices, in order to plan good designs for experimental works. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of the inverse elasticity problem to identify irregular interfacial configurations

An inverse elasticity problem is solved to identify the irregular boundary between the components of a multiple connected domain using displacement measurements obtained from an uniaxial tension test. The boundary elements method (BEM) coupled with the particle swarm optimization (PSO) and conjugate gradient method (CGM) are employed. Due to the ill-posed nature of this inverse elasticity problem, and the need for an initial guess of the unknown interfacial boundary when local optimization methods are implemented, a Meta heuristic procedure based on the PSO algorithm is presented. The CGM is then employed using the best initial guess obtained by the PSO to reach convergence. This procedure is highly effective, since the computational time reduces considerably and accuracy of the results is reasonable. Several example problems are solved and the accuracy of obtained results is discussed. The influence of material properties and the effect of measurement errors on the estimation process are also addressed.     

基于密度聚类和圆外切线斜率拟合的埋地排水管道声呐点云去噪技术

针对环扫声呐扫描结果受到排水管道内混合水声的影响问题,提出一种声呐扫描点云数据去噪的方法:在环扫声呐扫描得到的三维点云数据基础上,通过密度聚类优化算法,去除点云数据中的噪声,然后采用类圆外切线斜率拟合的方式,识别出管道内壁界限和淤泥淤积线,最终得出包含排水管道内壁界限和淤积线特征的模型。为验证有效性,以武汉市某排水管道为例进行分析,基于现场采集的98万个点云坐标进行数据去噪和特征提取,结果表明:采用密度聚类优化算法进行点云数据初筛后,通过圆外切线斜率拟合算法能有效识别出排水管道内壁界限和淤积线,拟合半径均方误差0.0071m,相较于单一密度聚类算法拟合精度更高,去噪效果更好。     

Material characterization and interfacial boundary identification by solving an inverse elasto statics boundary elements problem

An inverse geometry problem of identifying simultaneously two irregular interfacial boundaries along with the mechanical properties of the interface domain located between the components of multiple (three) connected regions is investigated. A discrete number of displacement measurements obtained from a uniaxial tension test are used as extra information to solve this inverse problem. A unique combination of global and local optimization method is used, that is, the imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA) to find the best initial guesses of the unknown parameters to be used by the local optimization methods, that is, the conjugate gradient method (CGM) and the simplex method (SM). The CGM and SM are used in series. The performance of these local optimization methods is dependents on the initial guesses of the unknown boundaries and the mechanical properties, that is, Poisson’s ratio and Young’s modulus, so ICA provides the best initial guesses. The boundary elements method is employed to solve the direct two-dimensional (2D) elastostatics problem. A fitness function, which is the summation of squared differences between measured and computed displacements at identical locations on the exterior boundary, is minimized. Several example problems are solved and the accuracy of the obtained results is discussed. The influence of the value of the material properties of the subregions and the effect of measurement errors on the estimation process are also addressed.     

Trajectory optimization of spacecraft high-thrust orbit transfer using a modified evolutionary algorithm

This article introduces a new method to optimize finite-burn orbital manoeuvres based on a modified evolutionary algorithm. Optimization is carried out based on conversion of the orbital manoeuvre into a parameter optimization problem by assigning inverse tangential functions to the changes in direction angles of the thrust vector. The problem is analysed using boundary delimitation in a common optimization algorithm. A method is introduced to achieve acceptable values for optimization variables using nonlinear simulation, which results in an enlarged convergence domain. The presented algorithm benefits from high optimality and fast convergence time. A numerical example of a three-dimensional optimal orbital transfer is presented and the accuracy of the proposed algorithm is shown.     

基于分段常数水平集方法的声振耦合系统拓扑优化

针对结构与无限大声场的声振耦合系统中结构的双材料拓扑优化问题进行了研究。采用有限元与边界元方法分别对结构和声场进行离散。基于分段常数水平集(piecewise constant level set,PCLS)方法,构造了结构的刚度阵、质量阵与阻尼阵。优化目标选为最小化结构指定位置的振幅平方,采用伴随变量法进行灵敏度分析。引入二次罚函数方法来实现体积约束,基于灵敏度信息对优化参数进行重新定义,克服了参数的问题依赖性。数值结果表明优化设计可以显著降低结构的振幅,证实了优化方法的有效性。不同算例下体积约束在相同优化参数下均得到很好满足,说明了重新定义参数的优越性。     

Physics-constrained non-Gaussian probabilistic learning on manifolds

An extension of the probabilistic learning on manifolds (PLoM), recently introduced by the authors, has been presented: In addition to the initial data set given for performing the probabilistic learning, constraints are given, which correspond to statistics of experiments or of physical models. We consider a non-Gaussian random vector whose unknown probability distribution has to satisfy constraints. The method consists in constructing a generator using the PLoM and the classical Kullback-Leibler minimum cross-entropy principle. The resulting optimization problem is reformulated using Lagrange multipliers associated with the constraints. The optimal solution of the Lagrange multipliers is computed using an efficient iterative algorithm. At each iteration, the Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm developed for the PLoM is used, consisting in solving an Itô stochastic differential equation that is projected on a diffusion-maps basis. The method and the algorithm are efficient and allow the construction of probabilistic models for high-dimensional problems from small initial data sets and for which an arbitrary number of constraints are specified. The first application is sufficiently simple in order to be easily reproduced. The second one is relative to a stochastic elliptic boundary value problem in high dimension.     

The identification of a Robin coefficient by a conjugate gradient method

This paper investigates a non‐linear inverse problem associated with the heat conduction problem of identifying a Robin coefficient from boundary temperature measurement. The variational formulation of the problem is given. The conjugate gradient method combining with the discrepancy principle for choosing the suitable stop step are proposed for solving the optimization problem, in which the finite difference method is used to solve the direct problems. The performance of the method is verified by simulating four examples. The convergence with respect to the grid refinement and the amount of noise in the data is also investigated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Level set topology optimization of fluids in Stokes flow

We propose the level set method of topology optimization as a viable, robust and efficient alternative to density‐based approaches in the setting of fluid flow. The proposed algorithm maintains the discrete nature of the optimization problem throughout the optimization process, leading to significant advantages over density‐based topology optimization algorithms. Specifically, the no‐slip boundary condition is implemented directly—this is accurate, removes the need for interpolation schemes and continuation methods, and gives significant computational savings by only requiring flow to be modeled in fluid regions. Topological sensitivity information is utilized to give a robust algorithm in two dimensions and familiar two‐dimensional power dissipation minimization problems are solved successfully. Computational efficiency of the algorithm is also clearly demonstrated on large‐scale three‐dimensional problems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Piecewise constant level set method for structural topology optimization

In this paper, a piecewise constant level set (PCLS) method is implemented to solve a structural shape and topology optimization problem. In the classical level set method, the geometrical boundary of the structure under optimization is represented by the zero level set of a continuous level set function, e.g. the signed distance function. Instead, in the PCLS approach the boundary is described by discontinuities of PCLS functions. The PCLS method is related to the phase‐field methods, and the topology optimization problem is defined as a minimization problem with piecewise constant constraints, without the need of solving the Hamilton–Jacobi equation. The result is not moving the boundaries during the iterative procedure. Thus, it offers some advantages in treating geometries, eliminating the reinitialization and naturally nucleating holes when needed. In the paper, the PCLS method is implemented with the additive operator splitting numerical scheme, and several numerical and procedural issues of the implementation are discussed. Examples of 2D structural topology optimization problem of minimum compliance design are presented, illustrating the effectiveness of the proposed method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.