Partitioned, Multilevel Response Surfaces for Modeling Complex Systems
Patrick N. Koch, Dimitri N. Mavris, Farrokh Mistree · AIAA Journal · 2000
The most prevalent type of approximating functions employed for efficient engineering analysis and design integration are polynomial response surfaces. However, the construction of response surface approximations has been limited to problems with only a few variables, due to the number of analyses necessary to fit sufficiently accurate models. An approach is presented for partitioning response surfaces and constructing multilevel approximations for problems with larger numbers of variables. Using this approach, the (computer) experimentation necessary for fitting response surface models is reduced tremendously. A modified composite experimental design is also presented for the construction of response models that provide more consistently accurate predictions across the range of the design variables. The multilevel, partitioned response surface modeling and modified composite design approaches are demonstrated for the preliminary design of a commercial turbofan engine, an example problem defined in collaboration with Allison Engine Company, Rolls-Royce Aerospace Group.