A Method of Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Using Agent-Based Model

The design of highly complex engineering systems often involves several different disciplines. The methods of multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) provide the framework for solving design optimization of complex engineering systems. The current MDO methods are first reviewed briefly. A novel framework of multidisciplinary design optimization is proposed using agent based model, which is called the subspace autonomous optimization. This new MDO method has several advantages: (1) simplicity in organization, (2) disciplinary autonomy and concurrency in design optimization, (3) flexibility for a variety of disciplinary design optimization, and (4) considerable reduction of computational burden for system analysis. Two numerical test problems are used to verify the method. The preliminary results of this method are quite encouraging.