Emergent Computing Methods in Engineering Design


Book Description

The papers in this book show the tremendous potential of emerging computing paradigms such as genetic algorithms, evolutionary computing, and neural networks for solving problems of engineering design.




Evolutionary and Adaptive Computing in Engineering Design


Book Description

Following an introduction to the various techniques and examples of their routine application, this potential is explored through the introduction of various strategies that support searches across a far broader set of possible design solutions within time and budget constraints. Generic problem areas investigated include: - design decomposition; - whole-system design; - multi-objective and constraint satisfaction; - human-computer interaction; - computational expense. Appropriate strategies that help overcome problems often encountered when integrating computer-based techniques with complex, real-world design environments are described. A straightforward approach coupled with examples supports a rapid understanding of the manner in which such strategies can best be designed to handle the complexities of a particular problem.




Adaptive Computing in Design and Manufacture


Book Description

The third evolutionary I adaptive computing conference organised by the Plymouth Engineering Design Centre (PEDC) at the University of Plymouth again explores the utility of various adaptive search algorithms and complementary computational intelligence techniques within the engineering design and manufacturing domains. The intention is to investigate strategies and techniques that are of benefit not only as component I system optimisers but also as exploratory design tools capable of supporting the differing requirements of conceptual, embodiment and detailed design whilst taking into account the many manufacturing criteria influencing design direction. Interest in the integration of adaptive computing technologies with engineering has been rapidly increasing in recent years as practical examples illustrating their potential relating to system performance and design process efficiency have become more apparent. This is in addition to the realisation of significant commercial benefits from the application of evolutionary planning and scheduling strategies. The development of this conference series from annual PEDC one day workshops to the biennial 'Adaptive Computing in Engineering Design and Control' conference and this year's event reflects this growth in both academic and industrial interest. The name change to include manufacture relates to a desire to increase cover of integrated product development aspects, facility layout and scheduling in addition to process I machine control.




Computational Methods in Mechanical Systems


Book Description

The chapters of this book summarize the lectures delivered du ring the NATO Advanced Study Institute (ASI) on Computational Methods in Mechanisms, that took place in the Sts. Constantin and Elena Resort, near Varna, on the Bulgarian Coast of the Black Sea, June 16-28, 1997. The purpose of the ASI was to bring together leading researchers in the area of mechanical systems at large, with special emphasis in the computational issues around their analysis, synthesis, and optimization, during two weeks of lectures and discussion. A total of 89 participants from 23 count ries played an active role during the lectures and sessions of contributed papers. Many of the latter are being currently reviewed for publication in specialized journals. The subject of the book is mechanical systems, Le. , systems composed of rigid and flexible bodies, coupled by mechanical means so as to constrain their various bodies in a goal-oriented manner, usually driven under computer con trol. Applications of the discipline are thus of the most varied nature, ranging from transportation systems to biomedical devices. U nder normal operation conditions, the constitutive bodies of a mechanical system can be consid ered to be rigid, the rigidity property then easing dramatically the analysis of the kinematics and dynamics of the system at hand. Examples of these systems are the suspension of a terrestrial vehicle negotiating a curve at speeds within the allowed or recommended limits and the links of multiaxis industrial robots performing conventional pick-and-place operations.




Soft Computing in Engineering Design and Manufacturing


Book Description

Soft Computing has emerged as an important approach towards achieving intelligent computational paradigms where key elements are learning from experience in the presence of uncertainties, fuzzy belief functioos, and ·evolutioo of the computing strategies of the learning agent itself. Fuzzy, neural and evolutionary computing are the three major themes of soft computing. The book presents original research papers dealing with the theory of soft computing and its applicatioos in engineering design and manufacturing. The methodologies have been applied to a large variety of real life problems. Applicatioo of soft computing has provided the opportunity to integrate human like 'vagueness' and real life 'uncertainty' to an otherwise 'hard' computer programme. Now, a computer programme can learn, adapt, and evolve using soft computing. The book identifies the strengths and Iimitatioos of soft cOOlputing techniques, particularly with reference to their engineering applications. The applications range fran design optimisatioo to scheduling and image analysis. Goal optimisatioo with incomplete infmnatioo and under uncertainty is the key to solving real-life problems in design and manufacturing. Soft computing techniques presented in this book address these issues. Computatiooal complexity and efficient implementatioo of these techniques are also major concerns for realising useful industrial applications of soft computing. The different parts in the book also address these issues. The book cootains 9 parts, 8 of which are based 00 papers fran the '2nd On-line World Conference 00 Soft Computing in Engineering Design and Manufacture (WSC2),.




Genetic Algorithms and Engineering Design


Book Description

The last few years have seen important advances in the use ofgenetic algorithms to address challenging optimization problems inindustrial engineering. Genetic Algorithms and Engineering Designis the only book to cover the most recent technologies and theirapplication to manufacturing, presenting a comprehensive and fullyup-to-date treatment of genetic algorithms in industrialengineering and operations research. Beginning with a tutorial on genetic algorithm fundamentals andtheir use in solving constrained and combinatorial optimizationproblems, the book applies these techniques to problems in specificareas--sequencing, scheduling and production plans, transportationand vehicle routing, facility layout, location-allocation, andmore. Each topic features a clearly written problem description,mathematical model, and summary of conventional heuristicalgorithms. All algorithms are explained in intuitive, rather thanhighly-technical, language and are reinforced with illustrativefigures and numerical examples. Written by two internationally acknowledged experts in the field,Genetic Algorithms and Engineering Design features originalmaterial on the foundation and application of genetic algorithms,and also standardizes the terms and symbols used in othersources--making this complex subject truly accessible to thebeginner as well as to the more advanced reader. Ideal for both self-study and classroom use, this self-containedreference provides indispensable state-of-the-art guidance toprofessionals and students working in industrial engineering,management science, operations research, computer science, andartificial intelligence. The only comprehensive, state-of-the-arttreatment available on the use of genetic algorithms in industrialengineering and operations research . . . Written by internationally recognized experts in the field ofgenetic algorithms and artificial intelligence, Genetic Algorithmsand Engineering Design provides total coverage of currenttechnologies and their application to manufacturing systems.Incorporating original material on the foundation and applicationof genetic algorithms, this unique resource also standardizes theterms and symbols used in other sources--making this complexsubject truly accessible to students as well as experiencedprofessionals. Designed for clarity and ease of use, thisself-contained reference: * Provides a comprehensive survey of selection strategies, penaltytechniques, and genetic operators used for constrained andcombinatorial optimization problems * Shows how to use genetic algorithms to make production schedules,solve facility/location problems, make transportation/vehiclerouting plans, enhance system reliability, and much more * Contains detailed numerical examples, plus more than 160auxiliary figures to make solution procedures transparent andunderstandable




Neural Networks in the Analysis and Design of Structures


Book Description

Neural Networks are a new, interdisciplinary tool for information processing. Neurocomputing being successfully introduced to structural problems which are difficult or even impossible to be analysed by standard computers (hard computing). The book is devoted to foundations and applications of NNs in the structural mechanics and design of structures.




Emerging Methods for Multidisciplinary Optimization


Book Description

This volume provides an up-to-date overview of major advances, emerging trends, and projected industrial applications in the field of multidisciplinary optimization. It concentrates on the current status of the field, exposes commonalities, innovative, promising, and speculative methods. This book provides a view of today’s multidisciplinary optimization environment through a balenced theoretical and practical treatment. The contributors are the foremost authorities in each area of specialisation.




Harmony Search Algorithms for Structural Design Optimization


Book Description

Various structures, such as buildings, bridges, and paved roads play an important role in our lives. However, these construction projects require large expenditures. Designing infrastructure cost-efficiently while satisfying all necessary design constraints is one of the most important and difficult tasks for a structural engineer. Traditionally, mathematical gradient-based optimization techniques have been applied to these designs. However, these gradient-based methods are not suitable for discrete design variables such as factory-made cross sectional area of structural members. Recently, researchers have turned their interest to phenomenon-mimicking optimization techniques because these techniques have proved able to efficiently handle discrete design variables. One of these techniques is harmony search, an algorithm developed from musical improvisation that has been applied to various structural design problems and has demonstrated cost-savings. This book gathers all the latest developments relating to the application of the harmony search algorithm in the structural design field in order for readers to efficiently understand the full spectrum of the algorithm’s potential and to easily apply the algorithm to their own structural problems. This book contains six chapters with the following subjects: standard harmony search algorithm and its applications by Lee; standard harmony search algorithm for steel frame design by Degertekin; adaptive harmony search algorithm and its applications by Saka and Hasançebi; harmony particle swarm algorithm and its applications by Li and Liu; hybrid algorithm of harmony search, particle swarm & ant colony for structural design by Kaveh and Talatahari; and parameter calibration of viscoelastic and damage functions by Mun and Geem.




Computational Intelligence: Soft Computing and Fuzzy-Neuro Integration with Applications


Book Description

Soft computing is a consortium of computing methodologies that provide a foundation for the conception, design, and deployment of intelligent systems and aims to formalize the human ability to make rational decisions in an environment of uncertainty and imprecision. This book is based on a NATO Advanced Study Institute held in 1996 on soft computing and its applications. The distinguished contributors consider the principal constituents of soft computing, namely fuzzy logic, neurocomputing, genetic computing, and probabilistic reasoning, the relations between them, and their fusion in industrial applications. Two areas emphasized in the book are how to achieve a synergistic combination of the main constituents of soft computing and how the combination can be used to achieve a high Machine Intelligence Quotient.