A Comparison of Equality Constraint Formulations for Concurrent Design Optimization

Abstract

Abstract This paper investigates a concurrent approach for design optimization. The method of Simultaneous ANalysis and Design (SAND) is tested in application to three Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) test problems. A Generalized Reduced Gradient (GRG) optimizer and a Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) optimizer are compared with respect to their efficacy in handling three different forms of equality constraints referred to as compatibility constraints in the SAND based optimization procedure. Results highlight the need for both strategies in application of SAND based design to different engineering test problems. More importantly significant savings in the number of analyses required for design optimization are observed when using the SAND approach of concurrent design. SAND based design delivers on the promise of concurrent engineering, namely to develop optimal designs, working concurrently, while reducing design cycle time.