Abstract:

Physical programming is an effective method for design optimization. It provides a flexible and natural design framework and the computational cost is reduced significantly. Compared with the conventional weight-based approach for multi-object optimization, Physical Programming is associated with the engineering experiences of designers and the tradeoff solution is obtained which can express designers’ preferences correctly. It is of significance to use Physical Programming in multi-object optimization. When Physical Programming method is combined with robust and effective Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithms, the tradeoff Pareto solution of multi-object optimization can be evaluated effectively. Physical Programming method reveals its efficiency in a mathematical paradigm and an aircraft concept design problem.

Key words: physical programming, multi-object optimization, particle swarm optimization