Overview          

(courtesy: http://math.berkeley.edu/~sethian/)

The main objectives of ME 748 "Optimization of Mechanical Systems"  are to address the following to questions:

1. Why engineering systems need to be optimized?
2. How do we pose engineering optimization problems in a rigorous mathematical setting?
3. What software tools can/ should one use to solve such optimization problems?
4. When can one trust the results of optimization?

CAD/ CAE Tools: You will make extensive use of MATLAB, and, to some extent ANSYS and SolidWorks/ COSMOS.

Evaluation Criteria

Class Information

When: M-W: 5:00 PM -6:15 PM
Where: 2108 ME Building
Instructor: Krishnan Suresh suresh@engr.wisc.edu
Office Hours: Tue, 5 to 6 pm; 2059 ME Bldg

Text-book: None. Class-notes will be provided as necessary.

Pre-requisites: No formal pre-requisites; however:

1. Strong knowledge of basic undergraduate mathematics (primarily calculus, differential equations and linear algebra) is required.
2. Basic knowledge of structural mechanics (stresses in beams, trusses, failure theories) is required.
3. Background in programming (preferably MATLAB) is highly desirable.
4. Basic knowledge of finite element method (theory and practice) is desirable.