Emergence through conflict : the Multi-Disciplinary Design System (MDDS)

Abstract

This dissertation proposes a framework and a group of systematic methodologies to construct a computational Multi-Disciplinary Design System (MDDS) that can support the design of complex systems within a variety of domains. The way in which the resulting design system is constructed, and the capabilities it brings to bare, are totally different from the methods used in traditional sequential design. The MDDS embraces diverse areas of research that include design science, systems theory, artificial intelligence, design synthesis and generative algorithms, mathematical modeling and disciplinary analyses, optimization theory, data management and model integration, and experimental design among many others. There are five phases to generate the MDDS. These phases involve decomposition, formulation, modeling, integration, and exploration. These phases are not carried out in a sequential manner, but rather in a continuous move back and forth between the different phases. The process of building the MDDS begins with a top-down decomposition of a design concept. The design, seen as an object, is decomposed into its components and aspects, while the design, seen as a process, is decomposed into developmental levels and design activities. Then based on the process decomposition, the architecture of the MDDS is formulated into hierarchical levels each of which comprises a group of design cycles that include design modules at different degrees of abstraction. Based on the design object decomposition, the design activities which include synthesis, analysis, evaluation and optimization are modeled within the design modules.

(cont.) Subsequently through a bottom-up approach, the design modules are integrated into a data flow network. This network forms MDDS as an integrated system that acts as a holistic structured functional unit that explores the design space in search of satisfactory solutions. The MDDS emergent properties are not detectable through the properties and behaviors of its parts, and can only be enucleated through a holistic approach. The MDDS is an adaptable system that is continuously dependent on, and responsive to, the uncertainties of the design process. The evolving MDDS is thus characterized a multi-level, multi-module, multi-variable and multi-resolution system. Although the MDDS framework is intended to be domain-independent, several MDDS prototypes were developed within this dissertation to generate exploratory building designs.