Nonlinear programming approach for a transient free boundary flow problem

This paper is devoted to a new numerical technique for the approximation of a free boundary transient flow problem. The stationary problem, obtained from a time discretization of the original transient problem, is formulated as a shape optimal design one [C.R. Acad. Sci., Paris, Ser. 1, Math. 331 (12) (2000) 1005]. The discretized optimal problem, obtained via boundary element discretization, is considered as nonlinear mathematical programming where the state of the system and the design variable are taken as independent variables. To solve this nonlinear mathematical programming we use the sequential quadratic programming (SQP). Numerical results for illustrative earth dam problems are discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.