Sensitivity analysis of heat conduction for functionally graded materials

A sensitivity analysis is presented for the steady-state and transient heat conduction of functionally graded materials (FGMs). Based on the finite element method, the sensitivity equations of heat conduction are presented by using the direct method and the adjoint method. In the solution of transient problem, the precise time integration (PTI) is employed. The spatial volume fractions of materials of FGM (size problem) and the shape design parameters are considered. Detailed formulations especial for the FGMs are provided. The numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the precision and applicability of the proposed method.