Automated Exploration of Design Solution Space Applying the Generative Design Approach

authored by

Haibing Li, Roland Lachmayer

Abstract

Design is a complex problem-solving activity that transforms design restrictions and requirements into a set of constraints and explores the feasible solutions to satisfy those constraints. However, design solutions generated by traditional modeling approaches are hardly to deal with such constraints, particularly for the exploration of the possible design solution space to enhance the quality of the design outputs and confront the evolving design requirements. In this regard, the Generative Design Approach (GDA) is considered as an efficient method to explore a large design solution space by transforming the design problem into a configuration problem. Fundamentally, GDA explores and stores all the necessary knowledge through a design skeleton and a set of design elements. Thus, design solution space is easily explored by configuring variable design elements via iterative design processes. Further, the output model is not only a design solution but also a design concept that designers could manipulate to explore unconsidered design configurations. Finally, a crank creation as a running example confirmed that GDA provides concrete aids to enhance the diversity of design solutions.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Motion Engineering and Mechanism Design

Type

Conference article

Journal

Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design, ICED

Volume

1

Pages

1085-1094

No. of pages

10

ISSN

2220-4334

Publication date

07.2019

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Engineering (miscellaneous), Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Modelling and Simulation

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1017/dsi.2019.114 (Access: Open)