Multidisciplinary Engineering Design Optimization

(MCE 540 Graduate Course – Mechanical Engineering Department)

Instructor:

Dr.-Ing. Mostafa Ranjbar

• Ph.D. (Dr-Ing.), Multidisciplinary Engineering Design Optimization of Structures,Technische Universität Dresden, Germany, 2011

• M.Sc., Vibration Monitoring and Fault Diagnosis of Structures, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran, 2000

• B.Sc., Mechanical Engineering, Shiraz university, Iran, 1998

LECTURE OUTLINE
(see the course outline as well!)
2

 Course Introduction

 Introduction to (Multidisciplinary) (System) Design Optimization

 Systems

 Evolution of Design Process

 Optimization
 HOW DO WE INTEND TO DELIVER
LECTURES, LABS, QUIZ AND EXAM
• LECTURES
• Lecture notes will be on Power Point Slides in pdf
format
• We will have them available in class and you are
welcome to take them after the class
• Students can bring anything they are comfortable
with for taking the class notes
• Please equip your Laptops with ANSYS along with
MATLAB, or we may use them in Computer Room

3
 EXAM METHODS
• EXAMS
• There will be Assignments and Quizzes in most of the
lectures with appropriate weightage.
• Absentees in Quizzes will be marked ZERO.
• All students will submit their assignments either as a hard or
soft copy (Instructor would specify in all the assignments).
We expect professional reports.
• Late assignments without prior approval of the instructor
will not be accepted.
• Mid Term and End Term Exams as per Department’s policy.
4
EVALUATIONS (TENTATIVE)

Evaluation Scheme %

Presentation 10
Assignments 10
Mid Term 30
Final Exam 50
5
 CLASS PARTICIPATION

• Class Participation is highly recommended as this

would be an interactive class.
• – Add on whenever you like.
• – Ask question as soon as it comes to mind, keeping in
mind the flow of lecture.
• – We will write down questions that come and we would
review them at the end of the semester as to what we
think today and how does this change over the course of
the semester.
6
 KEEP IN MIND
 This is not a classic optimization class…….

 The aim is not to teach you the details of optimization

algorithms, but rather
 To expose you to different methods
 To increase the understanding of optimization methods

 We will utilize optimization techniques – the goal is to

understand enough to be able to utilize them wisely
 MSDO
INTRODUCTION
TEXT BOOKS
 TEXT BOOKS
 Lecture notes will be handed out in class ?? But various books for
reference are:
 TEXT BOOK:
 Engineering Optimization: Theory and Practice, 4th ed., Singiresu S. Rao, John Wiley,
2009.
 REFERENCE BOOK(S):
 Modern Heuristic Optimization Techniques, Kwang Y Lee, Mohamed A El-Sharkawi,
John Wiley, 2008.
 Numerical Optimization Techniques for Engineering Design, Vanderplaats, Garret N,
3rd ed., Colorado Springs: Vanderplaats Research & Development Inc., 2001.
 Optimization Techniques, George Leitmann, Academic Press, NY
 BOOKS
 Belegundu, A. and Tirupathi, R., Optimization Concepts and Applications in Engineering, Prentice Hall, 1999.
 Onwubiko, C., Introduction to Engineering Design Optimization, Prentice Hall, 2000.
 Venkataraman, P., Applied Optimization with MATLAB programming. Interscience, 2001.
 Goldberg, David E. Genetic Algorithms – in Search, Optimization & Machine Learning. MA: Addison-Wesley, 1989.
ISBN: 0201157675
 Murray B. Anderson, Genetic Algorithms In Aerospace Design: Substantial Progress, Tremendous Potential, Sverdrup
Technology Inc./TEAS Group Eglin Air Force Base, FL 32542, USA.
 Kennedy J, Eberhart R. and Shi, Y.H., Swarm Intelligence, [M] Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 2001.
 Kwang Y Lee, Mohamed A El-Sharkawi, Modern Heuristic Optimization Techniques, [M] John Wiley and Sons, 2008.
 Vanderplaats, Garret N. Numerical Optimization Techniques for Engineering Design. 3rd ed. Colorado Springs:
Vanderplaats Research & Development Inc., 2001. ISBN: 0944956017
 Gill, P. E., W. Murray and M. H. Wright. Practical Optimization. Academic Press, 1986
 Blair J.C., Ryan R.S., Schutzenhofer L.A. Launch Vehicle Design Process: Characterization, Technical Integration, and
Lessons Learned, Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama NASA/TP2001–210992, 2001
 Phadke, M. S., Quality Engineering Using Robust Design. Prentice Hall. 1989.
 Taguchi, G., Elsayed, E., Hsiang, T., Quality Engineering in Production Systems. McGraw-Hill, NY. 1989.
BOOKS
BOOKS
BOOKS
BOOKS
 SUMMARY OF LEARNING OBJECTIVES
 Learning Objectives:
 decompose and integrate multidisciplinary design models
 formulate meaningful problems mathematically
 explore design space and understand optimization
 critically analyze results, incl. sensitivity analysis
 Understand current state of the Art in MDO
 see depth and breadth of applications in industry & science
 get a feel for interaction of quantitative-qualitative design
 understand limitations of techniques
 good overview of literature in the field
 Research … and have fun !
 MULTIDISCIPLINARY
SYSTEM DESIGN OPTIMIZATION

______________________________________
AN INTRODUCTION

LECTURE #1
MULTIDISCIPLINAR
Y SYSTEM
LECTURE #1
DESIGN
OPTIMIZATION
 MULTIDISCIPLINARY
SYSTEM DESIGN OPTIMIZATION
______________________________________
INTRODUCTION TO SYSTEM

LECTURE #1
SYSTEMS
19

 System: A system is a physical or virtual object that is composed of

more than one element and that exhibits some behavior or performs
some function as a consequence of interactions between these
constituent elements.

 A system is a collection of interacting components.

 THE WORLD AROUND US

“All modern products are designed as a SYSTEM”

 THE WORLD AROUND US

AIRCRAFT SPACECRAFT AUTOMOBILES BUILDINGS

Aerodynamics Astrodynamics Engines Structure & Seismology

Propulsion Structures Body/chassis Space and Aesthetics

Structures Communications Aerodynamics Aerodynamics/Wind

Controls Payload & Sensor Electronics HVAC

Avionics/Software Optics Hydraulics Networking

Manufacturing Guidance & Control Industrial design Fire & Safety

Others Others Others Others

 THE WORLD AROUND US

AIRCRAFT SPACECRAFT AUTOMOBILES BUILDINGS

Aerodynamics Astrodynamics Engines Structure & Seismology

Propulsion Structures Body/chassis Space and Aesthetics

Structures Communications Aerodynamics Aerodynamics/Wind

Controls Payload & Sensor Electronics HVAC

Avionics/Software Optics Hydraulics Networking

Manufacturing Guidance & Control Industrial design Fire & Safety

Others Others Others Others

 THE WORLD WITHIN US
SYSTEMS?
MORE EXAMPLES OF SYSTEMS
 MORE EXAMPLES OF SYSTEMS
SYSTEMS?
Level Specific Name
 System Launch vehicle
 Subsystem Propulsion
 Element SRM
 Component Ignition Device
 Part Igniter
Relationships System

Components

 A Component can itself be a SYSTEM.

System .

Subsystem
 SYSTEM COMPLEXITY
Analysis codes should reside
with experts ?
System analysis should execute
analysis codes on experts’
Aerodynamics Expert
computers or … ?

Structures Expert System Analysis Controls Expert

27
 MORE EXAMPLES OF SYSTEMS
COMPARTMENTALIZATION
• Helicopter as an example of
a Multidisciplinary Complex
System

“Helicopters don’t fly.

They beat the air into submission.”
Dr. Ed Smith 28
 RS Model
MODELING
The Modeling Space

Meta Model
y  b0   bi xi   bii xi   bii xi x j
2

f(t) + mx 1 x 1 x 1 x

x(t)
- m s s
input -
Model c
x

kx c
x

x
output

k
mx  cx  kx  f (t )
World

Physical system
29
 MULTIDISCIPLINARY
SYSTEM DESIGN OPTIMIZATION

______________________________________
DESIGN

LECTURE #1
EVOLUTION OF DESIGN PROCESS
31

 HOW DO WE DEFINE DESIGN??????????

 Design of a product is an iterative focused activity that requires application of

various techniques and scientific principles in fulfilling human needs with
technically perfect, economically favorable and esthetically satisfactory
solution.

 The process of conceiving and planning an object or process with a specific

goal in mind.
 DEFINITIONS AND OVERVIEW
DESIGN
 Taylor (1959): Engineering design is the process of
applying various techniques and scientific principles Engineering design is a process that
requires application of various
for the purpose of defining a device, a process, or a
system in sufficient detail to permit its physical techniques and scientific problems
realization.

 Asimow (1962): Engineering design is a purposeful

activity directed towards the goal of fulfilling human
needs, particularly those which can be met by the Goal of Engineering design is
technology factors of our culture. fulfilling of Human Needs
 DEFINITIONS AND OVERVIEW
DESIGN
 Feilden (1963): Mechanical engineering design is the use Performing pre-specified functions
of scientific principles, technical information and with the maximum economy and
imagination in the definition of a mechanical structure, efficiency
machine or system to perform pre‐specified functions with
the maximum economy and efficiency.

 Kesselring (1964): Designing means to find a technically Finding a technically perfect,

perfect, economically favorable and esthetically economically favorable and
satisfactory solution for a given task. esthetically satisfactory solution for
a given task
 DEFINITIONS AND OVERVIEW
DESIGN
 Booker (1964): Simulating what we want to make (or do) Iterative process
before we make (or do) it as many times as may be necessary
to feel confident in the final result.

 Archer (1964): A goal‐directed problem‐solving activity. Very focused activity

 Reswick (1965): A creative activity ‐‐ it involves bringing into

being something new and useful that has not existed previously. Creative activity

 Hansen (1966): Developing a technical construct is determined

through prior visual thinking out.
Designing is visualizing an object
 DEFINITIONS AND OVERVIEW
 The design of any system involves several diverse disciplines with strong
interaction between each other.
 The overall activity is therefore a typical Multidisciplinary Design and
Optimization (MDO) process.
 MDO problems typically involve a large number of design constraints and
variables. The analysis required to compute the objective and constraint functions
are usually highly complex, coupled and imprecise.
 In such problems, traditional optimization techniques based on principles of
mathematical programming have shown to be inadequate.
 DEFINITIONS AND OVERVIEW
DESIGN
 This course focuses on engineering design problems (e.g. vehicles, transportation
systems, communication networks) and not primarily management problems
(resource allocation, supply chain optimization, revenue management, etc.).

 As such, students should have a background and interest in engineering and

system or product design and have had previous exposure to optimization. The
course will present many quantitative methods and tools.
 DEFINITIONS AND OVERVIEW
DESIGN----FINAL WORDS
 Design of a product is an iterative focused activity that requires application of various
techniques and scientific principles in fulfilling human needs with technically perfect,
economically favorable and esthetically satisfactory solution.

 The process of conceiving and planning an object or process with a specific goal in
mind.

 In the context of this class this refers to the conceiving of a system that will subsequently be
implemented and operated for some beneficial purpose.

“WHAT DO YOU THINK???????????”

 MULTIDISCIPLINARY
SYSTEM DESIGN OPTIMIZATION

______________________________________
EVOLUTION OF THE DESIGN PROCESS

LECTURE #1
 EVOLUTION OF DESIGN PROCESS

Trial & Error Empirical Mathematical Probabilistic

Deterministic Stochastic
(Factors of Safety) (Risk Quantified)

Random
Experimentation
``
Experience-based Graphical Approaches Computer models Computer
based on system Simulations based on
Systematic physics system physics
Experimentation
Point estimates Robust Solutions 39
 EVOLUTION OF DESIGN PROCESS
CONCEPTUAL PRELIMINARY
DESIGN DESIGN DETAIL
DESIGN
PRODUCT
ATTRIBUTES
100:1
10:1
1:1

Conceptual design is crucial to the success of the overall design

process and resulting system. It has been estimated that “at least
80% of a Mission’s life-cycle cost is locked in by the concept that is
chosen” and “conceptual design decision have a 100:1 leverage 40
 EVOLUTION OF DESIGN PROCESS

CONVENTIONAL OPTIMAL
1. Specification 1. Specification
2. Baseline design 2. Baseline design
3. Analysis (or experiment) 3. Analysis
4. Check performance or 4. Check constraints
failure criteria 5. Does design satisfy the
5. Is design satisfactory? optimality
(If yes, then stop) conditions? (If yes, then
41
 SYSTEM DESIGN
OPTIMIZATION

____________________________
__________
OPTIMIZATION
LECTURE #1
 WHAT IS OPTIMIZATION?
● “Making things better”
● “Generating more profit”
● “Determining the best”
● “Do more with less”
 WHAT IS OPTIMIZATION?

“The determination of values for design variables

which minimize (maximize) the objective, while
satisfying all constraints”
Principles of Optimal Design: Modeling and Computation
2d Ed. by Panos Y. Papalambros and Douglass J. Wilde, Cambridge University Press, New York, 1988,
2000.
 OPTIMIZATION

Design Space: The space of working (Hill in this case)

Objective: Find the Highest Point.
Design Variables: Longitude and latitude.
OPTIMIZATION
OPTIMIZATION

Objective Function
Constraints
Bounds

Design Variables
 SOLVING OPTIMIZATION PROBLEMS

• Optimization problems are typically solved

using an iterative algorithm:
Design variables Responses
x Model f , g, h

Derivatives of
responses
Optimizer (design sensitivities)
f g h
, ,
xi xi xi
 LOCAL AND GLOBAL OPTIMA
LOCAL maxima
OPTIMA

Local Local
maxima minima
minima
GLOBAL
MINIMA
 OPTIMIZATION PROBLEMS
Global Local

Multi-Objective
Single-Objective

Constrained Un-Constrained

Gradient Based Non-Gradient

OPTIMIZATION PROBLEMS
 MSDO

• Optimization: Optimization is a mathematical method and gives

rise to a number of algorithmic tools.
• As such it represents a bridge, which enables the use of integrated
multidisciplinary models to do more effective design engineering
work. It should be stressed that the use of optimization is not
intended to remove the human from the design loop.
• Rather, optimization enables engineers and system architects to
explore vast design spaces, often resulting in non-intuitive insights.
This may result in system designs that exhibit higher performance or
are more cost-effective compared to previously considered
traditional designs.
 DEFINITIONS AND OVERVIEW
OPTIMIZATION
• To find a system design that will minimize some objective function.
The objective function can be a vector comprising measures of
system behavior (“performance”), resource utilization (“time,
money, fuel ...”) or risk (“stability margins…”).
 OPTIMIZATION

____________________________
__________
ENGINEERING DESIGN
OPTIMIZATION
LECTURE #1
 DEFINITIONS AND OVERVIEW
Engineering Design Optimization
• The “DO” in MDO.
• In industry, problems routinely arise that require making the best
possible design decision.
• However, optimization is still underused in industry. . .
• Aerospace is one of the leading applications of engineering
design optimization.
 DEFINITIONS AND OVERVIEW
Engineering Design Optimization
• Engineering design optimization is an emerging technology whose application both
shortens design-cycle time and finds new designs that are not only feasible, but
optimal, based on the design criteria.
• Traditional engineering design processes begin with formulating design
requirements. Then, an initial design is synthesized which must be tested against the
requirements.
• Such testing can involve building a prototype and performing an experiment. It
may entail building a computer model using one of many engineering analysis
codes.
• Of course, the design is usually validated experimentally since analysis codes are
not infallible. When the design is found to be deficient in some requirement, it is
changed.
• The change process typically involves strategies such as trial & error, use of previous
experience, etc. The new design is again subjected to the test phase. The process
 DEFINITIONS AND OVERVIEW
Engineering Design Optimization
• Engineering design optimization can both reduce the cycle time for the design
iteration loop and find the best (optimal) design for the specifications.
• This process differs from the traditional process in that the iteration loop is
computerized.
• An optimization problem is posed for which the design variables, the design
objective and all constraints are specified.
• An optimizing algorithm, which serves as the design modifier, is coupled with an
appropriate engineering analysis code such as a computational fluid dynamics
(CFD) code.
• The analysis code performs the test phase of the iteration loop.
• The optimizer may function by perturbing each design variable to determine how
each affects the performance and then seek a solution that optimizes the
 DEFINITIONS AND OVERVIEW
Engineering Design Optimization
• An example is the design of an automobile air-conditioning duct that connects the
air conditioner in the engine compartment to the air registers in the dashboard.
• The objective is to minimize the overall pressure drop while evenly delivering the air.
• The shape of the duct cross-section and the severity of the duct bends are
important factors.
• However, changes in geometry are limited by the presence of other components
behind the dashboard.
• The optimizer may change the shape of the initial duct design and see if the
pressure is increased
or reduced. It finds this out by sending a call to the analysis code.
• By iterating the above process, the optimizer not only finds a feasible design, but an
optimal one based on the given constraints.
• Optionally, the designer may wish to relax constraints or otherwise modify
 DEFINITIONS AND OVERVIEW
Engineering Design Optimization
• Optimization, in its broadest sense, can be applied to solve any
engineering problem e.g.
• 1. Running a business to maximize profit, minimize loss, maximize efficiency, or minimize risk.
• 2. It might mean designing a bridge to minimize weight or maximize strength. It might mean
selecting a flight plan for an aircraft to minimize time or fuel use.
• 3. Design of water resources systems for maximum benefit
• 4. Planning the best strategy to obtain maximum profit in the presence of a competitor
• 5. Planning of maintenance and replacement of equipment to reduce operating costs
• The power of optimization methods to determine the best case without actually
testing all possible cases comes through the use of a modest level of mathematics
and at the cost of performing iterative numerical calculations using clearly defined
logical procedures or algorithms implemented on computing machines.
 DEFINITIONS AND OVERVIEW
OPTIMIZATION
• Modern computers, with their incredibly fast computational power,
have turned optimization theory into a rapidly growing branch of
applied mathematics.
• Methods such as
• Genetic Algorithm
• Tabu Search Method
• Simulated Annealing
• ….

have all been successfully used in finding optimum solutions.

 DEFINITIONS AND OVERVIEW
CONVENTIONAL OPTIMAL
1. Specification 1. Specification
2. Baseline design 2. Baseline design
3. Analysis (or experiment) 3. Analysis
4. Check performance or failure criteria
4. Check constraints
5. Is design satisfactory?
5. Does design satisfy the optimality
(If yes, then stop)
6. Change design parameters based on conditions? (If yes, then stop)
intuition and heuristics, return to 3. 6. Change design parameters using an
optimization strategy, return to 3.
MULTIDISCIPLINAR
Y SYSTEM
LECTURE #1
DESIGN
OPTIMIZATION
 MSDO
• Design technique is a significant element in product development process.
For example, effect of design of the performance and productivity of new
product is about 70% while design technique requires just 5% of product
cost.
• Importance of design technique has more emphasis as complexity of
product is getting increased.
• However, the most of product design rely on the experience and intuition of
designer and trial and error method. So, the application of advanced
design techniques is insufficient.
• In recent years, scale of simulation model and design problem is getting
greatly increased and design and analysis environments more demand
multidisciplinary simulation and design optimization instead of the
conventional single-disciplinary simulation.
 MSDO
• Since interaction effects exit in the complex system such as airplane,
automobile, optimization of such a complex system is hard to be
solved by conventional optimization technique which considering just
single disciplinary. So, multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO)
techniques which consider a number of conflicting design
requirements have been developed.
• MDO technique is an integrated design technique which enables an
efficient and accurate design. So, study about MDO is active in
recent year.
• To treat a number of conflicting design requirements from the various
disciplines, development of a MDO technique which enables
integration, automation and optimization of analysis procedures and
its application to engineering design problem is required
 MSDO
• We actively study about a decomposition method, MDO
methodology, and application of MDO to design of industrial
product. To effectively perform multidisciplinary analysis (MDA)
and MDO by applying parallel computing, a decomposition
technique which decomposes a complex system into a number of
subsystems is developed.
• Also, MDO technique has been successfully applied to the real
world engineering design problem such as airplane, automobile,
home appliance and ship
 MSDO

• Multidisciplinary System Design Optimization (MSDO) deals with

the optimization of several engineering disciplines simultaneously.
• MSDO gives the engineer the opportunity to find the optimal
solution of some system accounting for the interactions between
the different disciplines.
• It should be noted that the multidisciplinary solution might not be
the solution for any one discipline analyzed separate from the
other disciplines, but is the best solution accounting for the
interactions.
 MSDO

• Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) deals with the optimal

design of complex engineering systems which requires analysis
that accounts for interactions amongst the disciplines (or parts of
the system) and seeks to synergistically exploit these interactions.
• MDO has become vital in design environments in the past
decades as designs are becoming more and more complex.
 MSDO
• Industry, government, and academic collaborations have
advanced multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) while
broadening its applications.
• SGI and Ford use MDO and response surface models for rapid visualization of design
alternatives
• Penn State collaborated with Boeing and Lockheed Martin Space Systems to develop
visualization interfaces to support design decision-making
• Sandia National Labs continues investigating optimization under uncertainty and surrogate-
based optimization
• NASA-Langley is developing robust optimization methods for aerodynamics and
multidisciplinary aero-structural design
• University of Utah is developing an approach to optimize structural problems
• Georgia Tech is using MDO to design energetic materials
• Russia’s Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute is using MDO to develop new concepts for
different types of airplanes
• Boeing is using MDO to help design the next generation hypersonic aircraft
 MSDO
• Multidisciplinary: A key component of this course is learning how to
integrate different models from various disciplinary fields together into
a single macro-model.
• All too often specialists in different fields (structures, fluids, propulsion,
controls etc.) exert a great deal of effort modeling and designing
within their area of expertise with little understanding of how their
design decisions affect other subsystems within the entire macro-
system.
• Also frequently lacking is an understanding of how such design
decisions impact system lifecycle cost and program risk.
• Understanding of and fluency in integrated, multidisciplinary modeling
is essential to the success of contemporary and future complex
systems.
 DEFINITIONS AND OVERVIEW
MULTIDISCIPLINARY
 Comprised of more than one traditional disciplinary area described by
governing equations from various physical, economic, social fields.

 A key component of this course is learning how to integrate different

models from various disciplinary fields together into a single macro-
model. (MDO FORMULATIONS)

 All specialists in different fields (structures, fluids, propulsion, controls

etc.) exert a great deal of effort modeling and designing within their
area of expertise with little understanding of how their design decisions
affect other subsystems within the entire macro-system.
 DEFINITIONS AND OVERVIEW
MULTIDISCIPLINARY
• Also frequently lacking is an understanding of how such design
decisions impact system lifecycle cost and program risk.

• Understanding of and fluency in integrated, multidisciplinary modeling

is essential to the success of contemporary and future complex
systems.
 DEFINITIONS AND OVERVIEW
SYSTEM
• A system is a physical or virtual object that is composed of more
than one element and that exhibits some behavior or performs
some function as a consequence of interactions between these
constituent elements.

• A system is a collection of interacting components.

INTRODUCTION
TO
MSDO
HISTORICAL
PERSPECTIVE
 MDO: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
• The need for MDO can be better understood by considering the
historical context of progress in aerospace vehicle design.

• 1903 – Wright Flyer makes the first manned and powered flight.
• 1927 – Charles Lindbergh crosses the Atlantic solo and nonstop
• 1935 – DC-3 enters service
• 1958 – B707enters service
• 1970 – B747 enters service
• 1974 – A300 enters service
• 1976 – Concorde enters service
 MDO: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
(1970-1990 COLD WAR AND
MATURITY)
• Big slump in world economy (“oil crisis” 1973), airline industry and end
of Apollo program leads to a reduction of engineering workforce
around 25%.
• Two major new developments: Computer aided design (CAD),
Procurement policy changes for airlines and the military.
• Earlier quest for maximum performance has been superseded by
need for a “balance” among performance, life-cycle cost, reliability,
maintainability and other “-ilities”
• Reflected by growth in design requirements. Competition in airline
industry drives operational efficiency.
MDO: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
(GROWTH IN DESIGN
REQUIREMENTS)
 MDO: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
(1990-
PRESENT)
 Multidisciplinary design extended to other industries:
 spacecraft,
 automobiles,
 electronics and computers,
 transportation, energy and architecture

 Thrusts in government and industry to improve

productivity and quality in products and processes
 MDO: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
(1990-
PRESENT)
• Design process: Globalization results in distributed, decentralized
design teams, high performance PC has replaced centralized
super-computers, disciplinary design software (Nastran,
CAD/CAM) very mature, Internet and LAN’s allow easy information
transfer.

• Advances in optimization algorithms: e.g. Genetic Algorithms,

Simulated Annealing, Particle Swarm Optimization, MDO software,
e.g. iSIGHT, Model Center …
INTRODUCTION
TO
MSDO
OVERVIEW
 MDO: OVERVIEW
• Multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) deals with the optimization
of several engineering disciplines simultaneously.
• MDO gives the engineer the opportunity to find the optimal solution of
some system accounting for the interactions between the different
disciplines.
• It should be noted that the multidisciplinary solution might not be the
solution for any one discipline analyzed separate from the other
disciplines, but is the best solution accounting for the interactions.
• The MDO field has become vital in design environments in the past
decades as designs are becoming more and more complex.
 MDO: OVERVIEW
• Most modern engineering systems are multidisciplinary and their
analysis is often very complex, involving hundreds computer
programs, many people in different locations. This makes it difficult
for companies to manage the design process.

• In the early days, design teams tended to be small an were

managed by a single chief designer who knew most about the
design details and could make all the important decisions.

• Modern design projects are more complex and problem has to be

decomposed and each part tackled by a different team. The way
these teams should interact is still being debated by managers,
MDO: FRAMEWORK
 MDO: OVERVIEW
AIRCRAFT DESIGN
• Aircraft design can start with
very rough sketches, as did
the human powered
airplane, the Gossamer
Condor, or Wright Flyer.
 MDO: OVERVIEW
AIRCRAFT DESIGN
• Practical development
often proceeds without
detailed simulation.
 MDO: OVERVIEW
AIRCRAFT DESIGN
• Modern aircraft design is
strongly dependent on
computational simulation:
computation-based design.

• Significant challenge:
integration of high-fidelity
modeling in multiple
disciplines.
 MDO: OVERVIEW
AIRCRAFT DESIGN
• Problem formulation is not
obvious and requires
engineering judgment.

• One can only make one

thing best at a time.”
 MDO: OVERVIEW
ATC: ROUTE OPTIMIZATION
 WHY MDO???

• Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) can be defined as a

formal methodology for the design of complex coupled systems in
which the synergistic effects of coupling between various
interacting disciplines/phenomena are explored and exploited at
every stage of the design process.
 WHY MDO???

• To enable the design of high performance products.

• Balance product performance considerations with

manufacturing, economics, and life cycle issues.

• Achieve design process timetable compression.

• Achieve Economic competitiveness

ABOUT THE COURSE
 ABOUT THE COURSE
• This course is focused on developing a deeper understanding of
“Multidisciplinary Design and Optimization” as a Discipline that requires a
well defined set of design methods and procedures.
• The objective of the course is to present tools and methodologies for
performing system optimization in a multidisciplinary design context.
• The focus will be equally strong on all three aspects of the problem:
• 1. The multidisciplinary character of engineering systems;
• 2. Design of these complex systems, and
• 3. Tools for optimization
• Using a decision‐making framework, emphasis is placed on understanding
basic quantitative methods employed for making design decisions,
building mathematical models, and accounting for interdisciplinary
interactions.
 OBJECTIVES
 To learn how MDO can support the product development process
of complex, multidisciplinary engineered systems.
 To learn how to rationalize and quantify a system architecture or
product design problem by selecting appropriate objective
functions, design variables, parameters and constraints
 To subdivide a complex system into smaller disciplinary models,
manage their interfaces and reintegrate them into an overall
system model.
 OBJECTIVES

• To be able to use
• various gradient based optimization techniques such as
Sequential Quadratic Programming
• various Heuristic Optimization Techniques such as
• Genetic Algorithm
• Simulated Annealing
• Particle Swarm Optimization
• Ant Colony Optimization
• Tabu Search
• Hybrid optimization methods
• Hyper heuristic search methods.
 OBJECTIVES
• To make the selection of the optimization method which is most
suitable to the problem at hand.
• Perform a critical evaluation and interpretation of simulation and
optimization results, including
• sensitivity analysis and exploration of performance, cost and risk
tradeoffs.
• To get familiar with the basic concepts of multi-objective
optimization, including the conditions for optimality and the
computation of the Pareto front.
• To acquire critical reasoning with respect to the validity and fidelity
of MDO models.
 OBJECTIVES
• Fundamental objectives of the course will be;
• 1. To learn how optimization as a methodology can support the design of of
complex, multidisciplinary engineered systems.
• 2. To learn how to rationalize and quantify a system architecture problem by
selecting appropriate objective functions, design variables, parameters and
constraints.
• 3. To subdivide a complex system into smaller disciplinary models, manage their
interfaces and reintegrate them into an overall system model.
• 4. To be able to use various optimization techniques from various classes of
optimization.
• 5. To make the selection of the optimization technique this is most suitable to the
problem at hand.
• 6. Perform a critical evaluation and interpretation of simulation and optimization
results, including sensitivity analysis and exploration of performance, cost and risk
tradeoffs.
• 7. To get familiar with the basic concepts of multi-objective optimization, including
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR
INTEREST