The multi-point approximation method in a parallel computing environment

The Multi-point Approximation Method (MAM) replaces an optimization problem by a sequence of approximate ones. The corresponding approximate response functions are simple and often explicit in terms of the design variables. E ach step of the optimization process involves several implicit function eva luations before identification of the approximation functions by weighted l east-squares fitting takes place. The present paper addresses alternative p lanning of implicit function evaluations in order to enhance both robustnes s and efficiency in parallel computer environments, especially heterogeneou s networks.