Optimization by decomposition in structural and multidisciplinary applications

An algorithm for a general, multilevel structural optimization by substructuring is derived, based on the linear decomposition concept that is rooted in the Bellman's Optimality Criterion enhanced with the optimum sensitivity derivatives used as a means to account for coupling among the subproblems, each of which is limited to optimization of a substructure. The algorithm applies also to those multidisciplinary problems whose subproblems form a hierarchy similar to that of substructures. In systems where the subproblems communicate with each other at the same level, the decomposition becomes non-hierarchic and the system may be optimized as a whole based on the derivatives of the system behavior with respect to the design variables computed by a method that bypasses finite differencing on the system analysis. When a multidisciplinary system includes a structure as its part, a hybrid, hierarchic/non-hierarchic decomposition applies. Numerical examples and references to computational experience accumulated to date illustrate the discussion.