Applying the disciplinary relation matrix to multidisciplinary design optimization modeling and solving

Abstract

A new efficient coupling relationship description method has been developed to provide an automated and visualized way to multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) modeling and solving. The disciplinary relation matrix (DRM) is proposed to describe the coupling relationship according to disciplinary input/output variables, and the MDO definition has been reformulated to adopt the new interfaces. Based on these, a universal MDO solving procedure is proposed to establish an automated and efficient way for MDO modeling and solving. Through a simple and convenient initial configuration, MDO problems can be solved using any of available MDO architectures with no further effort. Several examples are used to verify the proposed MDO modeling and solving process. Result shows that the DRM method has the ability to simplify and automate the MDO procedure, and the related MDO framework can evaluate the MDO problem automatically and efficiently.