Simulation-based optimization

Simulation-based optimization integrates optimization techniques into simulation analysis. Because of the complexity of the simulation, the objective function may become difficult and expensive to evaluate.

Once a system is mathematically modeled, computer-based simulations provide the information about its behavior. Parametric simulation methods can be used to improve the performance of a system. In this method, the input of each variable is varied with other parameters remaining constant and the effect on the design objective is observed. This is a time-consuming method and improves the performance partially. To obtain the optimal solution with minimum computation and time, the problem is solved iteratively where in each iteration the solution moves closer to the optimum solution. Such methods are known as ‘numerical optimization’ or ‘simulation-based optimization’.

Simulation-based optimization methods

Simulation-based optimization methods can be categorized into the following groups:

• Response surface methodology (constructing surrogate model, to approximate the underlying function ${\textstyle f}$)
• Heuristic methods (three most popular methods: genetic algorithms, tabu search, and simulated annealing)
• Stochastic approximation (category of gradient-based approaches.)
• Derivative-free optimization methods
• Dynamic programming and neuro-dynamic programming

Application

Simulation-based optimization is an important subject in various areas such as chemical engineering, civil engineering, and petroleum engineering. An important application is optimizing the locations of oil wells in hydrocarbon reservoirs .