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- Title
- Applications of evolutionary algorithms in mechanical engineering.
- Creator
- Nelson, Kevin M., Florida Atlantic University, Huang, Ming Z., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
Many complex engineering designs have conflicting requirements that must be compromised to effect a successful product. Traditionally, the engineering approach breaks up the complex problem into smaller sub-components in known areas of study. Tradeoffs occur between the conflicting requirements and a sub-optimal design results. A new computational approach based on the evolutionary processes observed in nature is explored in this dissertation. Evolutionary algorithms provide methods to solve...
Show moreMany complex engineering designs have conflicting requirements that must be compromised to effect a successful product. Traditionally, the engineering approach breaks up the complex problem into smaller sub-components in known areas of study. Tradeoffs occur between the conflicting requirements and a sub-optimal design results. A new computational approach based on the evolutionary processes observed in nature is explored in this dissertation. Evolutionary algorithms provide methods to solve complex engineering problems by optimizing the entire system, rather than sub-components of the system. Three standard forms of evolutionary algorithms have been developed: evolutionary programming, genetic algorithms and evolution strategies. Mathematical and algorithmic details are described for each of these methods. In this dissertation, four engineering problems are explored using evolutionary programming and genetic algorithms. Exploiting the inherently parallel nature of evolution, a parallel version of evolutionary programming is developed and implemented on the MasPar MP-1. This parallel version is compared to a serial version of the same algorithm in the solution of a trial set of unimodal and multi-modal functions. The parallel version had significantly improved performance over the serial version of evolutionary programming. An evolutionary programming algorithm is developed for the solution of electronic part placement problems with different assembly devices. The results are compared with previously published results for genetic algorithms and show that evolutionary programming can successfully solve this class of problem using fewer genetic operators. The finite element problem is cast into an optimization problem and an evolutionary programming algorithm is developed to solve 2-D truss problems. A comparison to LU-decomposition showed that evolutionary programming can solve these problems and that it has the capability to solve the more complex nonlinear problems. Finally, ordinary differential equations are discretized using finite difference representation and an objective function is formulated for the application of evolutionary programming and genetic algorithms. Evolutionary programming and genetic algorithms have the benefit of permitting over-constraining a problem to obtain a successful solution. In all of these engineering problems, evolutionary algorithms have been shown to offer a new solution method.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1997
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12514
- Subject Headings
- Mechanical engineering, Genetic algorithms, Evolutionary programming (Computer science)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An investigation into the behavior of flexure joints with respect to high-precision mechanisms.
- Creator
- Nelson, Kevin M., Florida Atlantic University, Wong, Tin-Lup, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
A qualitative examination into the behavior of a variety of flexure joints was performed. It was found that of the initial seven joints examined only three had the characteristics to emulate the standard rotational pin joint. A complete evaluation of the three viable joint candidates was performed with the use of finite element modelling. The evaluation first focused on the joint itself, then the investigation turned to the performance of the joint in a simple mechanism, the four-bar linkage....
Show moreA qualitative examination into the behavior of a variety of flexure joints was performed. It was found that of the initial seven joints examined only three had the characteristics to emulate the standard rotational pin joint. A complete evaluation of the three viable joint candidates was performed with the use of finite element modelling. The evaluation first focused on the joint itself, then the investigation turned to the performance of the joint in a simple mechanism, the four-bar linkage. The results indicate a dependence on geometry and loading for all the joint models studied.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1989
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/14539
- Subject Headings
- Joints (Engineering)
- Format
- Document (PDF)