Refined second order semi‐analytical design sensitivities

Abstract

SUMMARYAccurate and e cient calculation of second order design sensitivities in a ÿnite element context is often di cult. The semi-analytical (SA) method is e cient and easy to implement but has accuracy problems even for ÿrst order shape design sensitivities. To overcome accuracy problems a reÿned semianalytical (RSA) method has been developed for ÿrst 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 signiÿcantly more accurate than their SA counterparts.