1.1.1. Governing Equations

The solved problems must include fluid flow, meaning that at least one governing equation for fluid flow must be solved, such as:


Therefore, papers treating only hydrostatic fluid loading (Laplace equation for pressure) and acoustics (Helmholtz equation for sound pressure) are omitted. In addition to this, for fluid–structure interaction problems, where only the structural part is optimised (so-called "dry optimisation") has also been left out.

In addition to the governing equations for fluid flow, any number of additional physics can be solved. The additional physics can be uncoupled, loosely coupled (one-way) or fully coupled (two-way), as long as a fluid problem is included in the optimisation formulation in the form of the objective functional or constraints. Examples are:

