ME 392C Design Optimization and Automation Fall 2011

Homework #1 Due: 8/31/11

1. Consult any engineering textbook (except one that is about optimization!) and find an example problem or end-of-
the-chapter problem that you can reformulate as a design problem. For example, the spring example I show in the
text may have come from a machine elements textbook questions such as
In that same spirit, write a report on how to formulate your chosen problem as an optimization problem. You can
be creative in expanding the problem by setting known values as unknown design variables or by including new
variables, constraints, and performance parameters.
The report (words 600 0; pages 8 0) should include the following:
a. a copy of the original problem and its reference
b. a brief statement on why you chose the problem
c. a discussion on how the design of the artifact relates to Section 1.4 (Representing Candidates by Fixed
Set of Design Variables) and to Section 1.5 (Representing Candidates by a System of Production Rules).
How is it similar? How is it different? Which one is more appropriate
d. What simplifications must be made to fit the design representation into a set of fixed variables (ala
Section 1.4) so that it is solvable by optimization. For example, for the spring problem, decisions are
made about the material and the end-type at the beginning of Chapter 2.
e. a table similar to Table 1 in the course text including: 1) knowns, givens, or constants, 2) design or
decision variables, 3) dependent parameters, and 4) performance parameters
f. put the problem in negative null form. Show derivation and briefly describe set-constraints, equality
constraints and inequality constraints.
g. discuss the challenges and open issues
I n choosing a problem, I would ideally like to see 4 or more design variables and at least 4 constraints.
1. An automatically opening umbrella contains a spring to open the
canopy when the user unlatches a trigger on the handle (see Figure 1.1).
The spring has a wire diameter of 1/16 in.; 8.5 active coils that have a
diameter of in.; and is constructed from ASTM A232. When the
umbrella is open, the spring experiences the least applied load of 5 lbs,
and when it is closed it is compressed an additional 1.5 in. What is the
springs static yielding safety factor?