RE: Design Optimization

[Phil Brubaker]

> From: Raoul <Roel.S...@gmail.com>
> Date: 3/19/2006 11:57:53 PM
>
> i'm writing my thesis on the optimization of foundation structures for
> offshore wind turbines. Generally speaking the objective is to reduce
> the weight of the foundation structure as much as possible constraint
> by several types of structural analysis. Right now I've written a
> program which can alter several design variables and I want to use an
> optimization routine which can help in finding the optimal solution. My
> question is if my design problem can be classed as some kind of
> standard optimization problem and I can make use of some available
> routines: as said the design is checked by multiple structural
> simulations, these 'constraints' are however cannot by formulated by
> explicit functions...are there however methods which don't make use of
> knowledge of the constraints or make use of approxiamtions of
> derivatives of the constraints (obtained by doing simulations with
> small alterations in design variables, which is however time
> consuming)..
> Someone any advice?
... the design is 'checked' by multiple structural simulations .. what does
'checked' mean here?
... cannot be formulated by 'Explicit functions' ... what do you exactly
mean? Are equations implicit or just no equations?

If you have equations, i should be able to help. Show some equations in
your reply.

Thanks,
Phil
>
> Thnx, Roel