A strategy for reducing turnaround time in design optimization using a distributed computer system

There is a need to explore methods for reducing lengthly computer turnaround or clock time associated with engineering design problems. Different strategies can be employed to reduce this turnaround time. One strategy is to run validated analysis software on a network of existing smaller computers so that portions of the computation can be done in parallel. This paper focuses on the implementation of this method using two types of problems. The first type is a traditional structural design optimization problem, which is characterized by a simple data flow and a complicated analysis. The second type of problem uses an existing computer program designed to study multilevel optimization techniques. This problem is characterized by complicated data flow and a simple analysis. The paper shows that distributed computing can be a viable means for reducing computational turnaround time for engineering design problems that lend themselves to decomposition. Parallel computing can be accomplished with a minimal cost in terms of hardware and software

Practical application of penalty-free evolutionary multi-objective optimisation of water distribution systems

Evolutionary algorithms are a commonly applied optimisation approach in water distribution systems. However, the algorithms are time consuming when applied to large optimisation problems. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the application of a penalty-free multi-objective evolutionary optimisation algorithm to solve a real-world network design problem. The optimization model uses pressure-dependent analysis that accounts for the pressure dependency of the nodal flows and thus avoids the need for penalties to address violations of the nodal pressure constraints. The algorithm has been tested previously using benchmark optimisation problems in the literature. In all cases, the algorithm found improved solutions and/or the best solution reported previously in the literature with considerably fewer function evaluations. In this paper, a real-world network with over 250 pipes was considered. The network comprises multiple sources, multiple demand categories, many fire flows and involves extended period simulation. Due to the size and complexity of the optimization problem, a high performance computer that comprises multiple cores was used for the computational solution. Multiple optimisation runs were performed concurrently. Overall, the algorithm performs well; it consistently provides least cost solutions that satisfy the system requirements quickly. The least-cost design obtained was over 40% cheaper than the existing network in terms of the pipe costs