Title: Integrated use of mathematical programming and multiple criteria methods in engineering design processes

Authors: Maria Franca Norese; Ersilia Liguigli; Chiara Novello

Addresses: Department of Management and Production Engineering – Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24 – 10129 Torino, Italy ' Department of Management and Production Engineering – Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24 – 10129 Torino, Italy ' Department of Management and Production Engineering – Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24 – 10129 Torino, Italy

Abstract: A decision aiding methodology was required by a company of the aeronautical sector to support their engineering design processes. An integrated use of mathematical programming and multiple criteria methods was proposed to orient the conceptual design of functional and physical solutions. As a first step, linear programming was used in relation to some case studies to generate design alternatives that satisfy the initial requirements. Subsequently, multiple criteria methods were proposed to interact transparently with the client in relation to some aspects that were not included in the linear programming model. Design alternatives were evaluated and compared, in order to identify and formalise expectations that the first design solutions were not able to meet. An iterative use of the two approaches, in a cyclic procedure of mutual learning, can allow the requirements to be defined more clearly and a final satisfying solution to be reached.

Keywords: integration; operational research methods; linear programming; engineering design; design process; requirements identification; multicriteria decision making; MCDM; aeronautical industry; conceptual design; design alternatives.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMCDM.2013.056779

International Journal of Multicriteria Decision Making, 2013 Vol.3 No.4, pp.346 - 361

Published online: 29 Jan 2014 *

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