Constrained Minimax Optimization in Computer-Aided Design ofEngineering Systems

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The classical nonlinear programming problem formulation is often too rigid to adequately describe an engineering design problem. A design methodology is developed based on a problem formulation featuring three types of specifications: hard constraints, soft constraints, and objectives. In relation with this methodology, two central issues are addressed: the need for powerful optimization algorithms in an engineering context and the need for efficient ways of conveying to the designer information about the possible tradeoff designs. The effort in algorithm development will focus on superlinearly convergent algorithms. Existing methods will be adapted to minimax problems and modified to take into account various requirements arising in an engineering design context. The work on enhancing the communication between computer and designer will investigate ways of evaluating potential tradeoffs without performing costly simulation runs. Also, efficient ways will be sought for graphically conveying to the designer the information obtained. Finally, the various techniques thus developed will be implemented in the DELIGHT system and tested on various types of design problems.