Introduction to Optimum Design

Introduction to Optimum Design, Fourth Edition, carries on the tradition of the most widely used textbook in engineering optimization and optimum design courses. It is intended for use in a first course on engineering design and optimization at the undergraduate or graduate level in engineering departments of all disciplines, with a primary focus on mechanical, aerospace, and civil engineering courses.

Through a basic and organized approach, the text describes engineering design optimization in a rigorous, yet simplified manner, illustrates various concepts and procedures with simple examples, and demonstrates their applicability to engineering design problems.

Formulation of a design problem as an optimization problem is emphasized and illustrated throughout the text using Excel and MATLAB as learning and teaching aids. This fourth edition has been reorganized, rewritten in parts, and enhanced with new material, making the book even more appealing to instructors regardless of course level.

Includes basic concepts of optimality conditions and numerical methods that are described with simple and practical examples, making the material highly teachable and learnablePresents applications of optimization methods for structural, mechanical, aerospace, and industrial engineering problemsProvides practical design examples that introduce students to the use of optimization methods early in the bookContains chapter on several advanced optimum design topics that serve the needs of instructors who teach more advanced courses

1. Introduction to Design Optimization 2. Optimum Design Problem Formulation 3. Graphical Optimization and Basic Concepts 4. Optimum Design Concepts: Optimality Conditions 5. More on Optimum Design Concepts: Optimality Conditions 6. Optimum Design with Excel Solver 7. Optimum Design with MATLAB 8. Linear Programming Methods for Optimum Design 9. More on Linear Programming Methods for Optimum Design 10. Numerical Methods for Unconstrained Optimum Design 11. More on Numerical Methods for Unconstrained Optimum Design 12. Numerical Methods for Constrained Optimum Design 13. More on Numerical Methods for Constrained Optimum Design 14. Practical Applications of Optimization 15. Discrete Variable Optimum Design Concepts and Methods 16. Genetic Algorithms for Optimum Design 17. Multi-Objective Optimum Design Concepts and Methods 18. Global Optimization Concepts and Methods 19. Nature-Inspired Search Methods 20. Additional Topics on Optimum Design