Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of Lightweight Structures and Systems

Dear Colleagues,

Multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) solves engineering design problems by incorporating multiple disciplines in concert with mathematical optimization algorithms.  MDO is especially relevant when used with lightweight structures and mechanical systems in which the reduction of mass pushes the design to the limits.  Lightweight engineering design has once again moved to the forefront in order to enable new technologies and to therefore advance sustainability.

MDO is used throughout the design process, from early phase architecture and design space exploration in concert with models of low computational effort to the final design stage with highly detailed models.  This integrated approach counters the adage a system of optimal components is not necessarily an optimal system by considering requirements from all disciplines relevant to the design.  Growing computational capacities has led to further research in this field and wider industrial application. This integration poses a number of challenges that remain the subject of research.  This Special Issue of Applied Sciences encompasses the multidisciplinary modeling, analysis, design and optimization of lightweight structures and mechanical systems.

We invite contributions to this Special Issue that cover multidisciplinary design optimization with lightweight structures and mechanical systems, with topics of interest including but not limited to the following:

• Novel multidisciplinary design optimization techniques:
  • MDO architectures;
  • Decomposition methods;
  • Metal modeling including approximation- and surrogate-based approaches;
  • Multiobjective, multicriterial, and vector optimization;
  • Application and benchmarking of new and novel algorithms;
  • Inverse problems;
  • Artificial intelligence and machines learning in MDO;
  • Combinatorial optimization methods for aircraft and aerospace system architectures.
• Structural design optimization, including:
  • Dimensioning and sizing optimization;
  • Shape optimization;
  • Topology optimization.
• Multiphysics, multidisciplinary analysis, and co-simulation;
• Design sensitivities, including of coupled systems;
• Systems engineering with MDO:
  • Model-based system engineering approaches;
  • Modeling languages, standards and interfaces.
• Generally, design optimization including:
  • Aeroelasticity, including flutter;
  • Aerodynamics;
  • Controls;
  • Crashworthiness;
  • Dynamics and vibrations;
  • Fiber-composite materials;
  • Multibody dynamics;
  • Thermomechanics;
  • Structural analysis;
  • Additional combinations thereof.
• Industrial applications of design optimization with current trends, including:
  • Lightweight engineering design;
  • Optimization and sensitivity analysis with nonlinear systems;
  • Zero-emission transportation, including:
    • Electrical and hybrid propulsion;
    • Hydrogen-powered aircraft and automobiles.
  • Morphing, compliant, and form-variable systems.

Dr. Erich Wehrle
Prof. Dr. Markus Edwin Schatz
Prof. Dr. Horst J. Baier
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• multidisciplinary design optimization
• lightweight engineering design
• design sensitivity analysis
• design optimization
• structural design optimization
• aerospace design
• combinatorial optimization