Multidisciplinary Design Optimization
Multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) focuses on optimizing the performance and reducing the costs of complex systems involving multiple interacting disciplines, such as those found in aircraft, spacecraft, automobiles, industrial manufacturing equipment, various consumer products, and on the development of related mathematical, computational and design methodologies.

MDO is a broad area that encompasses design synthesis, sensitivity analysis, approximation concepts, single and multi-objective optimization methods and strategies, rule-based design, and mathematical programming-all in the context of integrated design dealing with multiple disciplines and/or subsystem interactions.

Our contributions to multidisciplinary design optimization include:

  • Isoperformance - a method for obtaining sets of designs that meet a vector of performance targets within some numerical tolerance, while minimizing secondary objectives
  • Adaptive Weighted Sum (AWS) multiobjective optimization
  • Integrated System Level Optimization for Concurrent Engineering (ISLOCE) - including results from trials with human teams of designers
  • Coupled vehicle design and network flow optimization for complex transportation systems
  • Variable chromosome length genetic algorithm
  • A modular state-vector based modeling and optimization approach. Application to Diesel exhaust after-treatment architectures

Links

AIAA Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Technical Committee
http://www.aiaa.org/portal/index.cfm?GetComm=80&tc=tc

2006 European-U.S. Multi-Disciplinary Optimization Colloquium
17-19 May 2006 German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aeroelasticity Göttingen, Germany
http://www.ae.go.dlr.de/mdoc06/

Publications

  • Taylor C., de Weck O., “Coupled Vehicle Design and Network Flow Optimization for Air Transportation Systems”, Journal of Aircraft, 44 (5), 1478-1486, September-October 2007
  • Kim I.Y. and de Weck, O., “Adaptive weighted sum method for multiobjective optimization”, Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 31 (2), 105-116, February 2006 PDF
  • Kim I.Y. and de Weck O.L., “Adaptive weighted-sum method for bi-objective optimization: Pareto front generation”, Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 29 (2), 149-158, February 2005 PDF
  • de Weck, O.L. and Jones M. B., “Isoperformance: Analysis and Design of Complex Systems with Desired Outcomes”, Systems Engineering, 9 (1), 45-61, January 2006
  • de Weck O., “Multiobjective Optimization: History and Promise”, Invited Keynote Paper, GL2-2, The Third China-Japan-Korea Joint Symposium on Optimization of Structural and Mechanical Systems, Kanazawa, Japan, October 30-November 2, 2004 PDF
  • Cohanim B. E., Hewitt J. N., and de Weck O.L., “The Design of Radio Telescope Array Configurations using Multiobjective Optimization: Imaging Performance versus Cable Length”, The Astrophysical Journal, Supplement Series, 154, 705-719, October 2004 PDF
  • Graff C., de Weck O., “A Modular State-Vector Based Modeling Architecture for Diesel Exhaust System Design, Analysis and Optimization”, AIAA-2006-7068, 11th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference, Portsmouth, Virginia, 6 - 8 Sep 2006 PDF
  • Usan M., de Weck O.L., Whitney D., “Exhaust System Manifold Development Enhancement through Multi-Attribute System Design Optimization”, AIAA-2005-2066, 1st AIAA Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Specialist Conference, Austin, Texas, April 18-21, 2005 PDF
  • Schuman T., de Weck O.L., Sobieski J., “Integrated System-level Optimization for Concurrent Engineering with Parametric Subsystem Modeling”, AIAA-2005-2199, 1st AIAA Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Specialist Conference, Austin, Texas, April 18-21, 2005 PDF
  • Chung S.J., Miller D.W., de Weck O.L., “ARGOS Testbed: Study of Multidisciplinary Challenges of Future Spaceborne Interferometric Arrays”, Optical Engineering, 43 (9), 2156-2167, September 2004 PDF
  • de Weck, O. L. and Chang D., “Architecture Trade Methodology for LEO Personal Communication Systems “, 20th International Communications Satellite Systems Conference, Paper No. AIAA-2002-1866, Montréal, Québec, Canada, May 12-15, 2002. PDF
  • Miller, D. W., de Weck, O.L. and Mosier G.E., “Framework for Multidisciplinary Integrated Modeling and Analysis of Space Telescopes”, SPIE Proceedings: First International Workshop on Integrated Modeling of Telescopes, Vol. 4757, SPIE, pp. 1-18, July 2002 PDF