A Study of Optimization Techniques and Their Applications to Design

Abstract

This thesis consists of a general survey of existing mathematical optimization techniques and of an attempt to apply such techniques to various design situations. Several analytical and numerical techniques of determining extrema of univariable and multivariable known or unknown functions subjected to equality and inequality constraints are investigated when such extrema lie either in the interior or on the boundary of a given region. Design examples are worked out to illustrate the applicability and the limitations of the methods and the procedure of attacking a problem for solution. Some of these applications are original with the author. An extensive survey of applications of optimization techniques to several design situations is also included. No such design orientated survey seems to have ever been taken. Comments, regarding the applicability of these techniques to various design situations and suggestions for further research are made.