126 3 Approximation Concepts
3.1 General Approximations
SAL Design Sensitivity Analysis
Calculation of derivatives of the constraint functions with respect to design
variables, often called design sensitivity analysis, is required in using most of the
optimization methods. This operation is necessary also in applying explicit
approximations of the constraint functions, Since caiculation of derivatives often
involves a major computational cost of the optimization process, efficient
computational techniques are essential in most applications. Considering the
displacement analysis equations (1.26)
Kr=R G1)
the object is to find derivatives of the displacements r. Derivatives of the stresses
‘6-can then be obtained by differentiation of the stress displacement equations (1.29)
o=Sr @2)
Before taking up the topic of sensitivity analysis, it is instructive to note that
efficient solution of (3.1) for the displacements requires often decomposition of the
stiffness matrix K into a product of the upper triangular matrix U and the lower
triangular matrix U?
K=UTU G3)
This can be done by a simple recursion algorithm. The displacements are then
‘computed by forward and backward substitutions.
For a problem with n design variables X; (i= 1,... m), finite difference