On finite element approximations to a shape gradient flow in shape optimization of elliptic problems

Shape gradient flows are widely used in numerical shape optimization algorithms. We investigate the accuracy and effectiveness of approximate shape gradients flows for shape optimization of elliptic problems. We present convergence analysis with a priori error estimates for finite element approximations of shape gradient flows associated with a dis-tributed or boundary expression of Eulerian derivative. Numerical examples are presented to verify theory and show that using the volume expression is effective for shape optimiza-tion with Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions.