APPROXIMATION IN NONHIERARCHIC SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION

This paper reports on the effectiveness of a nonhierarchic system opti mization algorithm in application to complex coupled systems problems. A second-order nonhierarchic system optimization algorithm developed in earlier studies is modified in this study to provide for individual constraint/state modeling. A cumulative constraint formulation was us ed in previous implementation studies. The test problems in this study are each complex coupled systems. Complex coupled systems require an iterative solution strategy to evaluate system states. Nonhierarchic a lgorithm development is driven by these types of problems, and their s tudy is imperative. The algorithm successfully optimizes each of the c omplex coupled systems. A significant reduction in the number of syste m analyses required for optimization is observed as compared with conv entional optimization using the generalized reduced-gradient method.