9411203 Zhao This award is for a planning grant to enable the principal investigator to develop a program of research on the application of genetic algorithms to the optimal design of engineering systems. In particular, this research will focus on the design of complex systems involving the synthesis of topology, geometry, component properties, and their relationships. The preliminary research will study some important issues concerning the development of methodologies for the above purpose, including the possible representations of engineering systems suitable for genetic algorithms, the representation of design requirements and constraints, and possible extensions to other engineering problems that involve the synthesis of a large number of subsystems and components. This research could lead to a better understanding of the engineering design process, and the ability to affect better system designs. Although it is initially focused in the area of civil structures, if successful, it should be applicable to a wide variety of engineering systems.
