Meta-Modeling in Multiobjective Optimization

In many practical engineering design and other scientific optimization problems, the objective function is not given in closed form in terms of the design variables. Given the value of the design variables, the value of the objective function is obtained by some numerical analysis, such as structural analysis, fluidmechanic analysis, thermodynamic analysis, and so on. It may even be obtained by conducting a real (physical) experiment and taking direct measurements. Usually, these evaluations are considerably more time-consuming than evaluations of closed-form functions. In order to make the number of evaluations as few as possible, we may combine iterative search with

meta-modeling

. The objective function is modeled during optimization by fitting a function through the evaluated points. This model is then used to help predict the value of future search points, so that high performance regions of design space can be identified more rapidly. In this chapter, a survey of meta-modeling approaches and their suitability to specific problem contexts is given. The aspects of dimensionality, noise, expensiveness of evaluations and others, are related to choice of methods. For the multiobjective version of the meta-modeling problem, further aspects must be considered, such as how to define improvement in a Pareto approximation set, and how to model each objective function. The possibility of interactive methods combining meta-modeling with decision-making is also covered. Two example applications are included. One is a multiobjective biochemistry problem, involving instrument optimization; the other relates to seismic design in the reinforcement of cable-stayed bridges.