Optimization of multibody systems using sequential linear programming

Design optimization is far less developed for multibody analysis than for structural analysis. However, multibody design problems can be solved by optimization strategies applied in structural analysis. To illustrate this, a design optimization tool has been developed for a multibody analysis software package. It is based on a linear approximation concept. An optimization process results that consists of a sequence of linear programming problems. The design optimization tool has been successfully tested for three multibody design examples.