A method for developing systems that traverse the Pareto frontiers of multiple system concepts through modularity

Natural changes in customer needs over time often necessitate the development of new systems that satisfy the new needs. In a previous work by the authors, a 5-step multiobjective optimization-based method was presented to identify systems that anticipate, account for, and allow for these changes by moving from one Pareto design to another through module addition. Recognizing the potential for changes in needs to exceed the limits of a single Pareto frontier, the present paper introduces important advancements that extend development to modules connecting multiple disparate system concepts. As such, the search for suitable system designs is extended from a Pareto frontier that characterizes one system concept to a Pareto frontier that characterizes a set of system concepts. An expanded methodology is described, and a tri-objective hurricane and flood resistant residential structure example is used to demonstrate the method. The authors conclude that the developed method provides a new methodology for selecting platform and module designs in the presence of multiple system concepts, and is capable of identifying a set of modular system designs that are well-suited to satisfy changing needs over time.

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