EMCH 530– ENGINEERING OPTIMIZATION

Zafer Gürdal

Lecture 1: Course Introduction

EMCH 530 – ENGINEERING OPTIMIZATION

Mathematical formulation and solution of

engineering design problems using optimization
techniques and Artificial Neural Networks . ⌘

⌘
added last year
Course Description
Mathematical formulation of an optimum design problem, introduction
to optimum design concepts and
multi-objective design optimization.
Use of mathematical programming methods for unconstrained and
constrained minimization of engineering design problems, including
linear programming, sequential linear programming, probabilistic and
random search, and gradient based search techniques, and Neural
Networks.
Engineering design problems solved by using methods of mathematical
optimization.
Course Description

 prescribe a design problem into standard mathematical

optimization formulation
 find a suitable solution algorithm and software tool for
the solution
 critically evaluate the optimality of a solution
 find the sensitivity of the optimal solution to variation
in design parameters
THINGS THAT WILL CHALLENGE YOU
• Multi-variable functions and associated calculus
(N-dimensional spaces)
THINGS THAT WILL CHALLENGE YOU
• Computational approach requiring use of computers and algorithms,

in particular Mathematica
Topic To Be Covered: (see the Syllabus on Blackboard for continuous updates)
Help and References
• Mathematica Tutorials
• Singiresu S. Rao, Engineering Optimization: Theory and Practice—4th Edition,
John Wiley & Sons, 2009.
• Garret N. Vanderplaats, Multidiscipline Design Optimization, Vanderplaats
Research & Development, vrand.com.
• P. Venkataraman, Applied Optimization with MATLAB Programming, Wiley
Interscience, John Wiley & Sons, 2002.
• R. T. Haftka and Z. Gürdal, Elements of Structural Optimization, Kluwer Academic
Publishers, Boston, 1993.
• Class notes distributed (posted on BlackBoard)
• The world wide web ? ? ? ? ? ? Lets be careful about it ? ? ? ? ? ?
Grading
Undergrad Graduate
Homework 35% Homework 35%
Test 1 20% Test 1 15%
Test 1 20% Test 1 15%
Final exam 25% Project 15%
Final exam 20%
Project Description
The problems must have at least 4 design variables, 2 constraints, 1 design
parameter, and any of the methods covered in the course might be used to solve
the problem. Multiple starting points should be used to assess the nature of the
optimal solution, and the robustness of the algorithm used. Sensitivity of the
optimal solution to parametric variables needs to be demonstrated.
Electronic Submissions
Email submission in electronic format is encouraged; paper
submission may be accepted when justified.
The ME department copier does automatic PDF scanning and
emailing. (Use code 4321 to access the ME copier.)
The electronic files labels should abide to the following rules:

LASTNAME-HW-X, where X is the homework number

LASTNAME-TEST-Y, where Y is the test number
LASTNAME-Final-Exam
Academic Integrity
All students are obliged to follow the code of academic responsibility.
Cheating in any form will be prosecuted to the full extent possible. Discussing
homework is allowed and encouraged, but blind copying is NOT acceptable.
Working on the same computer file constitutes blind copying. Handing your
homework to someone so they can get the answer is unacceptable. Copying
of solutions from previous semesters is not acceptable. The general rule is
that the work that you hand in must be yours. For further details see:
http://www.housing.sc.edu/academicintegrity/
http://www.housing.sc.edu/academicintegrity/honorcode.html
http://www.sa.sc.edu/creed/
http://www.housing.sc.edu/academicintegrity/tips.html
Additional Detailed Information beyond what was provided is available upon request

Thank You!