Design Sensitivity Analysis for Shape Optimization of Nonlinear Magnetostatic Systems

In this paper, a direct and an adjoint analytic sensitivity analysis for a nonlinear magnetostatic system is obtained, in the context of shape optimization for any design function. The calculations are based on the material derivative concept of continuum mechanics. The resulting sensitivity formula can be expressed as either a volume integral or as a boundary integral along the interface where shape modification occurs. A method for the calculation of the design velocity field and mesh updating scheme is introduced as well. The accuracy of the methodology is analysed on an inductor system, suggesting that the volume integration technique should be preferred. All methods are freely available for further testing in the open source environment GetDP/Gmsh.