Optimisation strategies on assembly design are often relatively time expensive because of the large number of non-linear calculations (due to contact or friction problems) required to localize the optimum of an objective function. In order to achieve this kind of optimization problems with an acceptable computational time, this work propose to use a two-levels model optimization strategy based on two main tools: (1) the multiparametric strategy based on the LaTIn method that enables to reduce significantly the computational time for solving many similar mechanical assembly problems and (2) a cokriging metamodel built using responses and gradients computed by the mechanical solver on few sets of design parameters. The metamodel provides very inexpensive approximate responses of the objective function and it enables to achieve a global optimisation and to obtain the global optimum. The cokriging metamodel was reviewed in detail using analytical test functions and some mechanical benchmarks. The quality of the approximation and the building cost were compared with classical kriging approach. Moreover, a complete study of the multiparametric strategy was proposed using many mechanical benchmarks included many kinds and numbers of design parameters. The performance in term of computational time of the whole optimisation process was illustrated.
Multilevel optimisation of structures using a multiparametric strategy and metamodels