Towards shape optimization of steady-state fluid-structure interaction problems using vertex morphing

The paper discusses the application of vertex morphing in the context of shape optimization of fluid-structure interaction problems under steady-state conditions. The objective function is given by lift and drag considerations at a flexible body within an incompressible viscous flow. Gradient-based optimization is employed to handle the large number of de- sign variables. For the necessary coupled sensitivity analysis a modified strictly continuous adjoint approach is presented in which the computation of expensive partial derivatives, such as the coupling terms, is avoided. Instead only boundary integral expressions need to be exchanged. This shows to be converging, efficient and easy to integrate in a given co-simulation environment. The Vertex Morphing method is finally applied to optimize the shape of a cylinder shell immersed in a laminar flow. The results indicate that vertex morphing is a suitable and effective method for preliminary design studies of coupled fluid-structure interaction problems.