Optimal design of complex mechanical systems. With applications to vehicle engineering. (English) Zbl 1099.74002

Mastinu, Giampiero; Gobbi, Massimiliano; Miano, Carlo

Berlin: Springer (ISBN 3-540-34354-7/hbk). xliv, 359 p. (2006).

The book deals with optimal design of complex mechanical systems by multiobjective techniques with special emphasis to vehicle engineering. The book contains two parts including 13 chapters. In the first part, an informative tutorial (chapter 1) introduces the reader into the optimization of complex mechanical systems. Additionally, the main techniques to solve optimization problems are briefly presented to make the reader aware of actual problem-solving capabilities in the field. All the topics mentioned in chapter 1 are dealt with mathematically in chapters 2–4.
In the second part, all mathematical theories introduced in the first part are applied to solve a number of optimization problems, many of which refer to ground vehicles. The problems are solved, whenever possible, in analytical form. The best compromise between handling road holding and comfort of road vehicles is studied using full nonlinear models. Also, the optimal design of railway vehicles is dealt with. The design of springs and other vehicle subsystems is reinterpreted making use of the presented optimization theories.
The book is addressed to researchers wishing to acquire a basic knowledge on the optimization of complex mechanical systems, and to engineers in the field of vehicle design.

Reviewer: Stefan Jendo (Warszawa)

MSC:

74-02	Research exposition (monographs, survey articles) pertaining to mechanics of deformable solids
74Pxx	Optimization problems in solid mechanics
65K10	Numerical optimization and variational techniques

Keywords:

multiobjective optimization; road vehicles; railway vehicles