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Virginia Tech

On the Effect of Numerical Noise in Simulation-Based Optimization

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Numerical noise is a prevalent concern in many practical optimization problems. Convergence of gradient based optimization algorithms in the presence of numerical noise is not always assured. One way to improve optimization algorithm performance in the presence of numerical noise is to adjust the method of gradient computation. This study investigates the use of Continuous Sensitivity Equation (CSE) gradient approximations in the context of numerical noise and optimization. Three problems are considered: a problem with a system of ODE constraints, a single parameter flow problem constrained by the Navier-Stokes equations, and a multiple parameter flow problem constrained by the Navier-Stokes equations. All three problems use adaptive methods in the simulation of the constraint and are numerically noisy. Gradients for each problem are computed with both CSE and finite difference methods. The gradients are analyzed and compared. The two flow problems are optimized with a trust region optimization algorithm using both sets of gradient calculations. Optimization results are also compared, and the CSE gradient approximation yields impressive results for these examples.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Mathematics
Department dc:contributor.department
Mathematics
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2003

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Vugrin, Kay E.
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Borggaard, Jeffrey T.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Cliff, Eugene M.
  • Sun, Shu-Ming
  • Herdman, Terry L.

Subjects

dc:subject × 3

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-03252003-213320
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/31542

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Vugrin, Kay E.. On the Effect of Numerical Noise in Simulation-Based Optimization. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/31542