INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN
OPTIMIZATION
WHAT IS DESIGN OPTIMIZATION
The process of determining the best design is called
optimization. This may involve maximizing a desired
quantity or minimizing an undesired one. For
example a designer may want to maximize the
power obtainable from an engine or to minimize the
cost of production of a machine or to minimize the
size of a heat exchanger that accomplishes the
desired heat transfer.
ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS OF OPTIMIZATION
• Design of aircraft and aerospace structures for minimum
weight.
• Optimum design of linkages, cams, gears, machine tools,
and other mechanical components.
• Design of material handling equipment, such as conveyors,
trucks, and cranes, for minimum cost.
• Design of pumps, turbines, and heat transfer equipment for
maximum efficiency.
• Optimum design of control systems.
• Optimal production planning, controlling, and scheduling
• Optimum design of electrical machinery such as motors,
generators, and transformers
Steps for design optimization set up
• Identify and define the variables e.g. x1 ,x2 …. xn
• Determine the objective function, e.g. U (x1 ,x2 …. xn
)=U
• Determine the constraints
(i) Functional constraints e.g. x1 +x2 + …. + xn =0
(ii) Regional constraints e.g. x1 ≤ L1 , x2 ≤ L2
• Simplify the objective function
• Optimization (by minimization or maximization)
using differential calculus, linear programing etc.
Optimization by differential Calculus
• Step 1: after setting up the problem to obtain the
objective function and the constraints
• Step 2: Substitute the constraint equation into the
objective function equation and simplify.
• Step 3: Take the first derivative of this simplified
equation and set it equal to zero to find optimized
values.
• Step 4: Verify that the optimized values will yield
the desired optimized result (i.e., maximum or
minimum value) by taking the second derivative
and noting the signs.
Example 1
The manager at a landscaping store wants to build a
600 square metre rectangular enclosure to display
Engineering equipment. Three sides of the enclosure
will be made from wood fending at the cost of $7 per
metre, whereas the fourth side of the enclosure will
be built of bricks at the cost of $14 per metre. Find
the dimensions of the least costly enclosure.
Solution.
Area of the Rectangular Enclosure is as shown in the
figure with three sides as wood, and one side is
brick.
Objective function
the area of the enclosure is given as
(1)
Considering the Cost Materials for the Rectangular Enclosure with the cost for the
wood as $7 and brick is $14, the cost for the enclosure is
Thus the objective function is
(2)
Constraints and simplifying objective function
Functional and regional constraints respectively are:
600
𝑥 . 𝑦 = 600 or 𝑥= (3)
𝑦
x>0, y>0 (4)
Substitute equation (3) into equation (2) (the equation we want to optimize) and simplify,
-1
C= 14y + 21(600y )
-1
C=14y + 12600y (4)
Taking derivatives
Take first derivative with respect to y,
𝑑𝐶
𝑑𝑦
= 14 − 12600𝑦 −2 = 0 (6)
Solving eq.5 gives y= ±30 (applying EQ 3, we take the positive value)
Using the second derivative test, to ensure that this will yield a minimum value, since we are looking
for the least costly enclosure.
𝑑2 𝐶 25200 25200
𝑑𝑦 2
= 𝑦3
= 30 3
>0 (6)
The second derivative is positive at y = 30, so we have a local minimum!
substitute value of y into equation 2,
x = 20.
This means that the dimensions of the least costly enclosure are 20 metres long and 30 metres wide
Example2
Design a minimum-cost cylindrical tank closed at
both ends to contain a fixed volume of fluid V. The
cost is found to depend directly on the area of sheet
metal used. Use the method of differential calculus.
For a volume of fluid of 30 m3 , determine, the
radius, height and the minimum cost of tank at this
cost.
solution
C is the Naira cost per unit area of sheet metal.
The design variables are.
R = radius of the rank
H = height of the tank
: Objective function
Total surface area of the sheet metal consisting of the end plates and hipline is
A 2 R 2 2 RH (1)
Therefore, the cost function of objective functions for the problem is
f C (2 R 2 2 RH ) (2)
constraints
Constraints
V R2 H (3)
Rmin R Rmax
} (4)
H min H H max
Optimization using differential calculus
f C (2 R 2 2 RH )
It can be simplified to
f ! R 2 RH (5)
The volume constraint is transformed to can equally
h R2 H V 0 (6)
from equation (3)
𝑉
𝐻= (7)
πR 2
Substituting (7) in (5)
𝑓" = 𝑅2 + 𝑉
𝜋𝑅
(8)
Differentiating
𝑑𝑓" 𝑉
= 2𝑅 − =0 (9)
𝑑𝑅 𝜋 𝑅2
The solution to the necessary condition gives
1
* V 3
R (10)
2
Using eqn: 7.
1
4V 3
H* (11)
The second derivative of eqn. 9
d 2 f !! 2V
2 (12)
dR 2 R3
which is positive for all R, hence a local minima: using egn (8) optimum cost function
2
V
f ! R* , H * 3
3
(13)
2
Putting in the given value
) using equations 18, 19 and 20
V = 30m3
R* = 1.68m
H * = 3.37m
*
f = #8.51
