Modeling Design Spaces With Discontinuous Variables Using NURBs HyPerModels

The vast majority of metamodeling demonstrations focuses on problems composed of continuous variables. However, important engineering design problems often include one or more discontinuous variables that require special attention. Previous work demonstrated the ability of Non-Uniform Rational B-spline HyPerModels to represent highly nonlinear functions composed of continuous variables. With minor modifications those capabilities can be extended to include functions defined by combinations of discontinuous input and output variables of different types, including discrete integer variables, feasibility variables and membership functions. Examples are used to demonstrate these modeling capabilities including applications developed from real engineering design problems such as the optimal positioning of a construction site crane and the optimal lay-up of a composite material I-beam.Copyright © 2006 by ASME