Interactive Design Optimization with Modern Database Management Concepts

摘要

An interactive design optimization software system IDESIGN5 is developed with modern database management concepts to solve nonlinear programming problems. Four promising algorithms are included to overcome the lack of unanimous choice on an algorithm. Tuning parameters and procedures of algorithms are implemented through extensive numerical experimentation. The interactive process is well designed with menu displays, advice for decisions, and applicable messages. Input data can be created interactively and the designer can change problem parameters, algorithm, and design variable data at any point of the execution. Linear extrapolation from the relation between cost function improvement and constraint violations is employed for the advice pertaining to design variable data change. If a design variable does not affect the optimization process, it can be given a fixed value interactively. Discrete variable optimization can be performed by using design variable status capability of the system. Graphics facilities are provided for decision making. The trend or history of design parameters are displayed on the graphics terminal.