Beniamin BOGOSEL

The optimization of functionals depending on shapes which have convexity, diameter or constant width constraints is difficult from a numerical point of view. We show how to use the support function in order to approximate solutions to such problems by finite dimensional optimization problems under various constraints. After constructing the numerical framework, we present some applications from the field of convex geometry. We consider the optimization of various functionals depending on the volume, perimeter and Dirichlet Laplace eigenvalues under the constraints presented earlier. In particular we confirm numerically Meissner's conjecture, regarding three dimensional bodies of constant width with minimal volume, by directly solving an optimization problem.

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In this paper we explore the asymptotic enumeration of three-dimensional excursions confined to the positive octant. As shown in [29], both the exponential growth and the critical exponent admit universal formulas, respectively in terms of the inventory of the step set and of the principal Dirichlet eigenvalue of a certain spherical triangle, itself being characterized by the steps of the model. We focus on the critical exponent, and our main objective is to relate combinatorial properties of the step set (structure of the so-called group of the walk, existence of a Hadamard factorization, existence of differential equations satisfied by the generating functions) to geometric or analytic properties of the associated spherical triangle (remarkable angles, tiling properties, existence of an exceptional closed-form formula for the principal eigenvalue). As in general the eigenvalues of the Dirichlet problem on a spherical triangle are not known in closed form, we also develop a finite-elements method to compute approximate values, typically with ten digits of precision.

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In additive manufacturing process support structures are often required to ensure the quality of the final built part. In this article we present mathematical models and their numerical implementations in an optimization loop, which allow us to design optimal support structures. Our models are derived with the requirement that they should be as simple as possible, computationally cheap and yet based on a realistic physical modeling. Supports are optimized with respect to two different physical properties. First, they must support overhanging regions of the structure for improving the stiffness of the supported structure during the building process. Second, supports can help in channeling the heat flux produced by the source term (typically a laser beam) and thus improving the cooling down of the structure during the fabrication process. Our optimization algorithm is based on the level set method and on the computation of shape derivatives by the Hadamard method. In a first approach, only the shape and topology of the supports are optimized, for a given and fixed structure. In second and more elaborated strategy, both the supports and the structure are optimized, which amounts to a specific multiphase optimization problem. Numerical examples are given in 2-d and 3-d.

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In this paper we look for the domains minimizing the $h$-th eigenvalue of the Dirichlet-Laplacian $\lambda_h$ with a constraint on the diameter. Existence of an optimal domain is easily obtained, and is attained at a constant width body. In the case of a simple eigenvalue, we provide non standard (i.e., non local) optimality conditions. Then we address the question whether or not the disk is an optimal domain in the plane, and we give the precise list of the 17 eigenvalues for which the disk is a local minimum. We conclude by some numerical simulations showing the 20 first optimal domains in the plane.

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