Finding the optimum solution to a problem
Learning Objectives – Class 11
Learning Objectives
After today’s lecture, and after working the homework problems, the student should be able
- To be able to optimize a typical engineering design problem, such as an isolated spread footing for which the cost changes with depth, using EES or Excel.
- To be able to download the computer program MOR and use it to solve linear programming problems .
- To use graphical solution methods to solve LP problems
- Recognize why integer solutions are more difficult to obtain than normal LP solutions.
- NOTE: These problems will have to be solved using MOR or perhaps Excel. Engineering Equation Solver cannot be used since these are not equations.
Topics covered in today’s class
- Use of EES and Excel in solving footing problem.
- Use of EES and Excel in optimization.
- The difference between engineering equations and linear programming constraints
- Why engineering equations have a single and unique answer
- Why linear programming problems have multiple answers, but possibly only one “best” answer
- Why engineering equations require N equations to solve for N unknowns
- Why linear programming problems can have N unknowns even though they have N+234, or N-15, constraints
- Graphical solutions for two-dimensional LP problems
- Why realistically, only two-dimensional problems can be solved graphically