Applying axiomatic design theory to the evaluation and optimization of large-scale engineering systems

Large-scale engineering systems provide important functions to the human society. The involvement of multiple, competing functionality requirements and lots of resources has imposed high expectations, and at the same time challenges, for achieving reliable, affordable design. Axiomatic design approach has demonstrated its strength in various types of large- scale system design, including vehicles, aircrafts, manufacturing facilities, and so on. However, several obstacles are yet to be overcome in proper application of the axioms to a real-world design problem, by both researchers and practitioners. In this work, a systematic methodology is presented for applying Suh's axioms to evaluate and optimize large-scale engineering systems. When using the proposed methodology, design matrices are first obtained to map multiple, competing functionality requirements to their associated physical embodiments at different system hierarchical levels based on Axiom 1. An R/S analysis using surrogate modelling is then conducted on the design matrices to evaluate the existing system design. If the evaluation shows any areas for improvement, a combination of surrogate modelling-based R/S analysis and optimization is used to achieve a less functionally coupled design. An application in a nuclear reactor system design is used to demonstrate the use of the proposed methodology in dealing with real-world design problems. The results show that the proposed methodology provides a promising approach to efficiently evaluate and optimize a large- scale engineering system against multiple, competing design objectives.