Shape optimization of the time-harmonic response of vibroacoustic devices using cut elements

This article presents a method for generalized shape optimization of time-harmonic vibroacoustic problems. The modeling approach utilizes an immersed boundary cut element method in conjunction with a level set representation of the geometry. The cut element method utilizes a fixed background mesh, a dimensionless contrast parameter and an integration scheme to realize complex geometries and obtain accurate physical solutions to the governing problem. The design parameterization is obtained using a nodal level set description, directly linked to the mathematical design variables, and the gradients of the objective and the constraints are obtained with the discrete adjoint approach. The framework is applied to the optimization of three 2D examples. A study on the effect of initial guess for the proposed optimization procedure is presented on a benchmark example of the design of an acoustic partitioner. Further optimization examples include design of a wave splitter to realize prescribed frequency dependent directivity for emitted acoustic waves and a suspension structure design to improve the performance of a simplified 2D model of a hearing instrument. The results demonstrate that, even though the final topology is strongly dictated by the initial design, modifying the shape allows for a significant improvement of the system behavior. •A generalized shape optimization methodology for 2D time-harmonic vibroacoustic problems using cut elements.•A simple, yet accurate, crisp interface cut element method without the need for stabilization.•A numerically stable level set based shape optimization procedure based on density methods.•Three numerical examples that demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed method.