Design sensitivity for arch structures with respect to midsurface shape under static loading (Q1094666)

We consider in this paper an example of structural optimization in which the structure is a loaded arch and the design variable is the shape of the arch. We concentrate on differentiability of static response with respect to shape changes. After recalling the arch equation with its functional spaces and the optimization problem, we state a differentiability theorem and provide a detailed proof. Numerical use of this result is finally discussed.