Global Optimization in Engineering Design

There is a very real need to find global optima in engineering. Finding a local solution might be adequate in some applications, but in others it might mean incurring a significant cost penalty or, even worse, getting an incorrect solution to a physical problem. Global optimization is attracting increasing attention in engineering, and research work is being pursued at a number of universities. This monograph presents some of these recent developments, particularly techniques and applications of deterministic approaches to global optimization. The first six chapters deal with applications in the planning of process networks, stochastic scheduling, heat exchanger networks, layout design, truss design, multiproduct batch plants, water distribution systems and engineering modeling systems. Audience: Engineers and researchers in optimization.