An improved multilevel optimization approach for the design of complex engineering systemsMultilevel optimization methods are being considered for the design of complex systems on distributed networks of computers or even parallel processors. An obstacle to the use of multilevel methods is that they can be computationally expensive because of the cycling necessary to account for the coupling between the subproblems. This research effort aims at increasing the efficiency of multilevel optimization by adapting two techniques that are widely used in conventional one-level optimization: constraint approximation and temporary constraint deletion. These improvements are implemented and tested on three-, ten- and 52-bar planar truss designs. The results show that for larger problems (approximately 100 design variables and larger), the cost of analysis dominates the total cost so that multilevel optimization is no more expensive than one-level optimization. If parallel processing is used or the analysis process itself is decomposed, then multilevel optimization stands to become more economical than one-level optimization.
Document ID
19860054215
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Barthelemy, J.-F. M. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, United States)
Riley, M. F. (PRC Kentron, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)