Engineering Optimization

An Application-Oriented Introduction to Essential Optimization Concepts and Best Practices Optimization is an inherent human tendency that gained new life after the advent of calculus; now, as the world grows increasingly reliant on complex systems, optimization has become both more important and more challenging than ever before. Engineering Optimization provides a practically-focused introduction to modern engineering optimization best practices, covering fundamental analytical and numerical techniques throughout each stage of the optimization process. Although essential algorithms are explained in detail, the focus lies more in the human how to create an appropriate objective function, choose decision variables, identify and incorporate constraints, define convergence, and other critical issues that define the success or failure of an optimization project. Examples, exercises, and homework throughout reinforce the author’s “do, not study” approach to learning, underscoring the application-oriented discussion that provides a deep, generic understanding of the optimization process that can be applied to any field. Providing excellent reference for students or professionals, Engineering Optimization : Clear explanations, explicit equation derivations, and practical examples make this book ideal for use as part of a class or self-study, assuming a basic understanding of statistics, calculus, computer programming, and engineering models. Anyone seeking best practices for “making the best choices” will find value in this introductory resource.