Parameterization and Multiobjective Optimization

Abstract

One of the core ideas in this thesis is to determine how single- and multiobjective design optimization can be applied and implemented to improve products. The background for this thesis is an EC research project named SuPLight. The purposes is to develop a practical approach by introducing an aircraft component from Hellenic Aerospace Industry. The objective is to reduce the weight/mass of this component by 10 %, without sacrificing stiffness in the load direction. This proved to be impossible with such stringent conditions. However, it was possible to reduce the mass by 6.26 %, and still maintain the same stiffness. In Chapter 1, the reader is introduced to design optimization and the main objective of this thesis. Chapter 2 covers the base line for the aircraft component. Further, it will be presented how the model should be prepared in order to capture design intent, a so called parameterization. This is covered in Chapter 3. In Chapter 4, a demonstration is presented of how a sensitivity analysis can be performed. A sensitivity analysis helps the validation of the design parameters before performing an single-objective optimization in Chapter 5. In addition to the single-objective optimization, the multiobjective approach will be thoroughly considered in Chapter 6. Beside the thesis, a set of detailed descriptions realted to the use of the software in A3 format, have been made. These can also be found in the appendices.