Marler, T: A Study of Multi-Objective Optimization Methods

Engineering design often requires that one considermultiple criteria; pursuing just one objective can beinsufficient. The process of optimizing a collectionof objective functions is called multi-objectiveoptimization, and it necessitates the use specialoptimization methods. Potential applications for eventhe most fundamental and common methods span avariety fields. Consequently, the significance of anycontribution to this process is far reaching, withimplications in terms of computational problemsolving and in terms of conceptual decision-making.However, the study of fundamental methods has beendeficient. Critical information concerning thesignificance of method-parameters, the effect offormulation variations, and guidelines for effectiveuse has been unrevealed, and drawbacks of differentmethods have not been explored. This work respondsto these deficiencies on three levels: 1) qualitativeassessment, 2) analysis with consequent enhancementsand guidelines, and 3) application to significantproblems. New in-depth analysis reveals usefulinsight into how the methods work, fosters newmethods, and provides method augmentation thatimproves performance.