Multi-Attribute Structural Optimization Based on Conjoint Analysis

Abstract

Over the last 30 years, there have been tremendous advances in multidisciplinary design optimization techniques to find optimum solutions. Advances have come in areas such as reducing computational cost, developing algorithms for efficient sensitivity analysis, using function approximations, etc. Most of these efforts assumed a single objective function (attribute) and a multitude of constraints. The focus of this paper involves the designer preferences in the multidisciplinary design optimization. The concept of modeling preferences among multi-attribute alternatives is prevalent in consumer product marketing. In this paper, we adopt conjoint analysis, a popular technique used in marketing to assess consumer preferences. This technique is used to obtain part-worths of the attributes, which provide insightful knowledge of the product under study, and which are further used to create new products in the market. This paper presents integration of conjoint analysis and multidisciplinary design optimization applications. A cantilever beam, a fixed plate, and a composite lightweight torpedo are used as examples.