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In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
EVOLUTIONARY DESIGN SYNTHESIS COMPARISON: GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT VS. FIXED-MESH CELLS
Yogev, Or; Shapiro, Andrew A.; Antonsson, Erik K.
Type:
Year:
2011
Editor:
Culley, S.J.; Hicks, B.J.; McAloone, T.C.; Howard, T.J. & Dong, A.
Author:
Series:
ICED
Section:
Design Methods and Tools Part 2
Page(s):
402-412
Abstract:
Two design synthesis techniques, both utilizing evolutionary computation, are compared. One employs growth and development of a model composed of finite element cells; the other employs a pre-defined fixed mesh of finite element cells. Both of these processes use a similar set of rules. In the fixed-mesh case, some of the rules present in the growth development case have been disabled to preserve the fixed mesh. The development process starts with a single cell while the fixed-mesh method starts with a predefined volume of material comprising 640 cells. The fitness of individuals in both approaches is determined by evaluating a combination of four different performance objectives: a desired resonant frequency; an ability to support a stochastically varying external load; a desired vertical height; and a minimum weight. A solution with both types of models is found in a relatively small number of generations. However, the growth development approach generated design configurations with valuable engineering characteristics, including symmetry, smoothness, and regularity, while the fixed-mesh approach generated non-smooth configurations with porosity and inhomogeneity.
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