Interactive modular optimization strategy for layout problems

Julien Bénabès (1) , Emilie Poirson (1) , Fouad Bennis (1) , Yannick Ravaut (2)

1 IRCCyN - Institut de Recherche en Communications et en Cybernétique de Nantes
2 Thales Communications

Layout design optimization has a significant impact in the design and use of many engineering products and systems. Real-world layout problems are usually considered as complex problems because of the geometry of components, the problem density and the great number of designer's requirements. Solving these optimization problems is a hard and time consuming task. This paper proposes an interactive modular optimization strategy which allows the designer to find optimal solutions in a short period of calculation time. This generic strategy is based on a genetic algorithm, combined with specific optimization modules. These modules improve the global performances of the algorithm. This approach is adapted to multi-objective optimization problems and interactivity between the designer and the optimization process is used to make a final choice among design alternatives. This optimization strategy is tested on a real-world application which deals with the search of an optimal spatial arrangement of a shelter.

Mots clés: layout problems; design optimization; modular optimization strategy; genetic algorithm; interactive decision making

Domaines: Génie mécanique [physics.class-ph]; Génie mécanique [physics.class-ph]

Julien Bénabès, Emilie Poirson, Fouad Bennis, Yannick Ravaut. Interactive modular optimization strategy for layout problems. ASME 2011 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences (IDETC) and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference (CIE) - 37th Design Automation Conference (DAC), Aug 2011, Washington, DC, United States. ⟨hal-00618571⟩