Sensitivity analysis for non‐linear constrained elastostatic systems

Adjoint and direct differentiation methods are used to formulate design sensitivities for non‐linear constrained elastostatic systems. Variations of a general response functional are expressed in explicit form with respect to all design field variations, including shape. The response functional is expressed over the undeformed configuration; however, the displacement gradient is included so that field quantities that are defined over the deformed configuration, such as Cauchy stress, may be modelled. The finite element method is used to evaluate the sensitivities in an example problem.