A PSO-based isogeometric singular boundary method for shape optimization of sound barriers

Qingya Zhang; Fajie  Wang; Hanqing Liu; Lin Qiu; Xingxing Yue

doi:10.59400/sv3872

A PSO-based isogeometric singular boundary method for shape optimization of sound barriers

Qingya Zhang
College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
Fajie Wang
College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
Hanqing Liu
College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
Lin Qiu
College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
Xingxing Yue
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China

Article ID: 3872

Keywords: singular boundary method; isogeometric analysis; particle swarm optimization; sound barriers; shape optimization

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a novel meshless method for shape optimization of sound barriers by combining the Burton-Miller singular boundary method, the isogeometric analysis (IGA), and the particle swarm optimization (PSO). The method addresses th+e spurious frequency issue by introducing the Burton-Miller formulation. The geometric features of sound barriers are accurately described by means of non-uniform rational B-splines, while the PSO algorithm is adopted as the optimization solver. The proposed method only requires the external boundary information of sound barriers. It constructs sound barrier models using NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines) and achieves the optimal layout of boundary control points by optimizing the objective function. This method features three distinct advantages: (1) It integrates the IGA technique, enabling the generation of optimization models with only control points; (2) it eliminates the need for sensitivity analysis and avoids tedious mathematical derivations, allowing for the direct shape optimization of sound barriers with complex geometric structures; (3) its numerical calculation process naturally obviates the inherent mesh generation requirement of the finite element method and completely circumvents the common singular integral calculation in the boundary element method. It can seamlessly integrate with computer-aided design systems, bringing convenience to engineers. Numerical experiments confirm its accuracy and effectiveness, showing its obvious advantages as a simple and efficient new way for sound barrier structural optimization design.

Published

2026-03-16

How to Cite

Zhang, Q., Wang, F., Liu, H., Qiu, L., & Yue, X. (2026). A PSO-based isogeometric singular boundary method for shape optimization of sound barriers. Sound & Vibration, 60(2). https://doi.org/10.59400/sv3872

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Issue

Vol. 60 No. 2 (2026)

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Article

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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