Multidisciplinary Design Optimization: A survey of Architectures

Joaquim R. R. A. Martins
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
and
Andrew B. Lambe
University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T6, Canada
AIAA JOURNAL
Vol. 51, No. 9, September 2013
Multidisciplinary design optimization is a field of research that studies the application of
numerical optimization techniques to the design of engineering systems involving multiple
disciplines or components. Since the inception of multidisciplinary design optimization,
various methods (architectures) have been developed and applied to solve multidisciplinary
design-optimization problems. This paper provides a survey of all the architectures that have
been presented in the literature so far. All architectures are explained in detail using a unified
description that includes optimization problem statements, diagrams, and detailed algorithms.
The diagrams show both data and process flow through the multidisciplinary system and
computational elements, which facilitate the understanding of the various architectures, and
how they relate to each other. A classification of the multidisciplinary design-optimization
architectures based on their problem formulations and decomposition strategies is also
provided, and the benefits and drawbacks of the architectures are discussed from both
theoretical and experimental perspectives. For each architecture, several applications to the
solution of engineering-design problems are cited. The result is a comprehensive but
straightforward introduction to multidisciplinary design optimization for nonspecialists and a
reference detailing all current multidisciplinary design-optimization architectures for
specialists.

Multidisciplinary optimization of a transport aircraft wing using

particle swarm optimization
G. Venter and J. Sobieszczanski-Sobieski
Struct Multidisc Optim 26, 121131 (2004)
DOI 10.1007/s00158-003-0318-3
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the application of particle swarm
optimization to a realistic multidisciplinary optimization test problem. The papers new
contributions to multidisciplinary optimization are the application of a new algorithm for
dealing with the unique challenges associated with multidisciplinary optimization problems,
and recommendations for the utilization of the algorithm in future multidisciplinary
optimization applications. The selected example is a bi-level optimization problem that
demonstrates severe numerical noise and has a combination of continuous and discrete design
variables. The use of traditional gradient-based optimization algorithms is thus not practical.
The numerical results presented indicate that the particle swarm optimization algorithm is
able to reliably find the optimum design for the problem presented. The algorithm is capable

of dealing with the unique challenges posed by multidisciplinary optimization, as well as the
numerical noise and discrete variables present in the current example problem.

Multi-Objective Optimization for the Multiphase Design of Active

Polymorphing Wings
D. D. Smithl
University of Bristol,Bristol,England BS8 1TR, United Kingdom
R. M. Ajaj
Swansea University, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
A. T. Isikveren Bauhaus Luftfahrt e.V., 80807 Munich, Germany
And
M. I. Friswell Swansea University, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
JOURNAL OF AIRCRAFT Vol. 49, No. 4, JulyAugust 2012
Advanced studies have been undertaken using multidisciplinary design optimization on the
retrofitting of an outboard morphing-wing system to an existing conventionally designed
commercial passenger jet. Initial studies focusing on the single objective of specific air range
improvement for a number of flight phases revealed increases of approximately 45% over
the baseline aircraft with wing fences across each case. This validated the advantage of
reoptimizing the geometric schedules for off-design conditions in comparison with fixed
winglets, for which negative effects were observed. Because of the high number of design
sensitivities of the outboard wing geometry, it has now become necessary to conduct refined
studies to analyze the effects of the wing system on additional operational performance
metrics, such as takeoff, initial climb, approach climb, and landing performance parameters,
to ascertain a truly holistic representation of the benefits of morphing-wing technology. In
addition, further effort has been expended to couple the effects of each phase within a multiobjective framework. Thus, refined studies have been performed, incorporating a number of
multi-objective optimization methods into a high-end, low-fidelity aerostructural-control
analysis together with a full engine model and integrated operational performance algorithm.
Furthermore, updated aeroelastic functionality and improved aerostructural wing sizing
allows for investigation of C-wing configurations. Results reveal the potential for significant
field-length reductions and climb-performance enhancements while maintaining
improvements in cruise performance throughout the entire flight envelope and across
multiple stage lengths.

Multi-Objective and Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of

Supersonic Fighter Wing
Yushin Kim, Yong-Hee Jeon, and Dong-Ho Lee
Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea
JOURNAL OF AIRCRAFT Vol. 43, No. 3, MayJune 2006

An aerodynamic/structural multidisciplinary design with multiple objectives was carried out

for the supersonic fighter wing using response surface methodology. Through a series of
static aeroelastic analyses of a variety of candidate wings, the aerodynamic performance and
structural strength were calculated. Nine wing and airfoil parameters were chosen for the
aerodynamic design variables, and four structural variables were added to determine the wing
skin thickness. To consider various flight conditions, multipoint design optimization was
performed on the three representative design points. As expected, the single-point design
shows the most improved performance on its own design point, but it produces inferior
results by not satisfying some constraints on other design points. To improve the
performances evenly and moderately at all design points, a multipoint optimal design was
conducted. A genetic algorithm was also introduced to control the weight of the multiple
objectives. The multipoint designed wing features improved performance and satisfies whole
constraints at all design points. It is similar to the real supersonic fighter wing that was
developed through numerous wind-tunnel tests and tradeoff studies. The proposed
multidisciplinary design optimization framework could be adopted as an efficient practical
design tool for the supersonic fighter wing to fix the basic geometry at a conceptual design
stage.

Multi-Agent Task Environment Framework

Multidisciplinary Design and Optimization

to

Support

J. P. T. J. Berends and M. J. L. van Tooren

Delft University of Technology, 2629 HS Delft, The Netherlands
JOURNAL OF AEROSPACE INFORMATION SYSTEMS Vol. 10, No. 6, June 2013

The multidisciplinary design and optimization process of products can be supported by

automation of analysis and optimization steps. A design and engineering engine is a useful
concept to structure this automation. Various discipline analysis tools analyze the particular
instantiation of this product model, and an optimizer (or search engine) provides a strategy to
drive the design toward a desired design, that is, compliant with required performance, a
desired product behavior, or one that is desired by a (human) designer or design team. To
power and orchestrate communication of the automatic analysis in this multidisciplinary
design and optimization setting, an agent-based framework called TeamMate has been
developed and implemented in a design and engineering engine for design and analysis of a
vertical tail of an airliner. To facilitate further development of the agent-based framework, an
analysis of the problem domain is performed, and a use case is discussed and reflected with
literature. From findings, a new set of requirements is proposed for future framework
development. Conclusively, several ideas for the next release of the agent-based framework
are described. The main contributions of this article are 1) the concept of scope levels for the
multidisciplinary design and optimization problem domain, 2) the definition of actor roles in
a hybrid (human computer) multifunctional team to solve the multidisciplinary design and
optimization problem domain, 3) the concept of engineering services and engineering service
specialist actors being directly responsible for it, 4) the concept of a multi-agent task
environment framework to motor the multidisciplinary design and optimization problemsolving environment of the design and engineering engine, and 5) the lessons learned using
the multi-agent task environment framework with suggestions for further work.