THE TOPOLOGICAL DERIVATIVE FOR THE POISSON'S PROBLEM

Abstract

The Topological Derivative has been recognized as a powerful tool in obtaining the optimal topology of several engineering problems. This derivative provides the sensitivity of a problem when a small hole is created at each point of the domain under consideration. In the present work the Topological Derivative for Poisson's problem is calculated using two different approaches: the Domain Truncation Method and a new method based on Shape Sensitivity Analysis concepts. By comparing both approaches it will be shown that the novel approach, which we call Topological-Shape Sensitivity Method, leads to a simpler and more general methodology. To point out the general applicability of this new methodology, the most general set of boundary conditions for Poisson's problem, Dirichlet, Neumann (both homogeneous and nonhomogeneous) and Robin boundary conditions, is considered. Finally, a comparative analysis of these two methodologies will also show that the Topological-Shape Sensitivity Method has an additional advantage of being easily extended to other types of problems.