MECE 4331 Design Optimization
The course introduces the optimization methods of Mechanical Systems and devices to Undergraduate Students in mechanical engineering. In the context of engineering design, optimization is focused on finding the best solution to a specific design problem that has the best quality, properties, performance, low cost and low weight. However, determining the optimal design involves more than just the minimization or maximization of an objective function. Hence, the emphasis in this course will be on identifying the design variables that represent the physical and mechanical forms of the system and the constraints that represent limitations on the design space. The course will begin with some background on topics related to the design of mechanical engineering systems including mechanics of solids, elements of mechanical design such as shafts, gears, bearings and bolt assemblies subjected to combined loading, introduction to optimization, classical optimization techniques, unconstrained optimization, and constrained optimization. The remainder of course will focus on the interpolation and approximation used in optimization methods such as Lagranges and Newton-divided difference formula.