Multifunctional Material System Design

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Abstract
The design of multifunctional material systems is presented as a multivariable, multicriteria optimization problem, and a formalized methodology which makes no implicit preference, independence, and convexity assumptions is proposed for its solution. The methodology utilizes dynamic programming with Pareto optimization, cluster analysis, and inverse goal programming to identify a subset of acceptable design solutions. It takes into consideration the properties of materials and relates these to various functional requirements of building enclosure. Functional performances under consideration are thermal, resource conservation, structural, economic, and space utilization. An illustrative material system design example is included in detail to show how various conflicting functional requirements can be taken into account simultaneously and generate qualitative and quantitative information to aid the designer in making decisions.