On mixed finite element approximations of shape gradients in shape optimization with the Navier–Stokes equation

For shape optimization of fluid flows governed by the Navier–Stokes equation, we investigate effectiveness of shape gradient algorithms by analyzing convergence and accuracy of mixed finite element approximations to both the distributed and boundary types of shape gradients. We present convergence analysis with a priori error estimates for the two approximate shape gradients. The theoretical analysis shows that the distributed formulation has superconvergence property. Numerical results with comparisons are presented to verify theory and show that the shape gradient algorithm based on the distributed formulation is highly effective and robust for shape optimization.