| Abstract: | Accurate and efficient calculation of second order design sensitivities in a finite element context is often difficult. The semi‐analytical (SA) method is efficient and easy to implement but has accuracy problems even for first order shape design sensitivities. To overcome accuracy problems a refined semi‐analytical (RSA) method has been developed for first order sensitivities. The present paper investigates the application of the RSA method to second order design sensitivities. It is found that second order RSA sensitivities are significantly more accurate than their SA counterparts. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
