A framework for managing models in nonlinear optimization of computationally expensive functions

dc.contributor.advisorDennis, John E., Jr.
dc.creatorSerafini, David Brian
dc.date.accessioned2009-06-04T08:48:47Z
dc.date.available2009-06-04T08:48:47Z
dc.date.issued1999
dc.description.abstractOne of the most significant problems in the application of standard optimization methods to real-world engineering design problems is that the computation of the objective function often takes so much computer time (sometimes hours) that traditional optimization techniques are not practical. A solution that has long been used in this situation has been to approximate the objective function with something much cheaper to compute, called a "model" (or surrogate), and optimize the model instead of the actual objective function. This simple approach succeeds some of the time, but sometimes it fails because there is not sufficient a priori knowledge to build an adequate model. One way to address this problem is to build the model with whatever a priori knowledge is available, and during the optimization process sample the true objective at selected points and use the results to monitor the progress of the optimization and to adapt the model in the region of interest. We call this approach "model management". This thesis will build on the fundamental ideas and theory of pattern search optimization methods to develop a rigorous methodology for model management. A general framework for model management algorithms will be presented along with a convergence analysis. A software implementation of the framework, which allows for the reuse of existing modeling and optimization software, has been developed and results for several test problems will be presented. The model management methodology and potential applications in aerospace engineering are the subject of an ongoing collaboration between researchers at Boeing, IBM, Rice and College of William & Mary.
dc.format.extent176 p.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.callnoTHESIS MATH.SCI. 1999 SERAFINI
dc.identifier.citationSerafini, David Brian. "A framework for managing models in nonlinear optimization of computationally expensive functions." (1999) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/19444">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/19444</a>.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/19444
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
dc.subjectMathematics
dc.subjectComputer science
dc.titleA framework for managing models in nonlinear optimization of computationally expensive functions
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialText
thesis.degree.departmentMathematical Sciences
thesis.degree.disciplineEngineering
thesis.degree.grantorRice University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy
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