This paper presents a practical methodology developed for shape optimization studies of hydraulic structures using environmental numerical modelling codes. The methodology starts by defining the optimization problem and identifying relevant problem constraints. Design variables in shape optimization studies are configuration of structures (such as length or spacing of groins, orientation and layout of breakwaters, etc.) whose optimal orientation is not known a priori. The optimization problem is solved numerically by coupling an optimization algorithm to a numerical model. The coupled system is able to define, test and evaluate a multitude of new shapes, which are internally generated and then simulated using a numerical model. The developed methodology is tested using an example of an optimum design of a fish passage, where the design variables are the length and the position of slots. In this paper an objective function is defined where a target is specified and the numerical optimizer is asked to retrieve the target solution. Such a definition of the objective function is used to validate the developed tool chain. This work uses the numerical model TELEMAC- 2Dfrom the TELEMAC-MASCARET suite of numerical solvers for the solution of shallow water equations, coupled with various numerical optimization algorithms available in the literature.
