Title: An algorithm for optimal design and thermomechanical processing of high carbon bainitic steels

Authors: Gaganpreet Sidhu; Seshasai Srinivasan; Sanjiwan Bhole

Addresses: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada ' School of Engineering Practice and Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada

Abstract: In this paper we present a generic framework of a computationally efficient search algorithm to meet multiple objectives on a multi-dimensional search space. The algorithm is integrated with a penalty-based cost function that enables us to retain the interim optimal solutions. The algorithm has been applied to determine the optimal combination of alloying elements and heat treatment conditions to obtain steels with desired material properties, namely hardness, tensile strength and elongation. In this work, the search space is a combination of eight alloying elements and heat treatment conditions (isothermal temperature and time). To evaluate the quality of the alloying elements and heat treatment combinations, the algorithm is equipped with reduced order models for hardness, tensile strength as well as elongation percentage. The algorithm has been validated with respect to several standard test optimisation problems prescribed in the literature. Subsequently, the validated algorithm has been applied to develop optimal design solutions for steels with desired mechanical properties. In doing so, the framework is tested for three different evaluation functions to showcase the ability of the algorithm to obtain solutions meeting the desired targets/constraints.

Keywords: thermomechanical processing; optimisation; micro-alloyed steels; mechanical properties.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAD.2018.094161

International Journal of Aerodynamics, 2018 Vol.6 No.2/3/4, pp.176 - 196

Received: 19 May 2017
Accepted: 26 Nov 2017
Published online: 20 Aug 2018 *

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