Topological shape optimization of power flow problems at high frequencies using level set approach

Using a level set method we develop a topological shape optimization method applied to power flow problems in steady state. Necessary design gradients are computed using an efficient adjoint sensitivity analysis method. The boundaries are implicitly represented by the level set function obtainable from the "Hamilton-Jacobi type" equation with the "Up-wind scheme." The implicit function is embedded into a fixed initial domain to obtain the finite element response and sensitivity. The developed method defines a Lagrangian function for the constrained optimization. It minimizes a generalized compliance, satisfying the constraint of allowable volume through the variations of implicit boundary. During the optimization, the boundary velocity to integrate the Hamilton-Jacobi equation is obtained from the optimality condition for the Lagrangian function. Compared with the established topology optimization method, the developed one has no numerical instability such as checkerboard problems and easy representation of topological shape variations. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.