An overview of first-order model management for engineering optimization

First-order approximation/model management optimization (AMMO) is a rigorous methodology for solving high-fidelity optimization problems with minimal expense in high-fidelity function and derivative evaluation. AMMO is a general approach that is applicable to any derivative based optimization algorithm and any combination of high-fidelity and low-fidelity models. This paper gives an overview of the principles that underlie AMMO and puts the method in perspective with other similarly motivated methods. AMMO is first illustrated by an example of a scheme for solving bound-constrained optimization problems. The principles can be easily extrapolated to other optimization algorithms. The applicability to general models is demonstrated on two recent computational studies of aerodynamic optimization with AMMO. One study considers variable-resolution models, where the high-fidelity model is provided by solutions on a fine mesh, while the corresponding low-fidelity model is computed by solving the same differential equations on a coarser mesh. The second study uses variable-fidelity physics models, with the high-fidelity model provided by the Navier–Stokes equations and the low-fidelity model – by the Euler equations. Both studies show promising savings in terms of high-fidelity function and derivative evaluations. The overview serves to introduce the reader to the general concept of AMMO and to illustrate the basic principles with current computational results.