Method of determining the interaction strength among functional requirements in axiomatic design

Abstract

The axiomatic design is a general design method, which provides a theoretical framework for design evaluation. However, the interactions among functional requirements have not been considered, resulting in difficulties in practical engineering design. In this research, analytic network process (ANP) theory is applied to study the interactions. A general model of ANP for the interactions is proposed. An algorithm for measuring the interactions is also developed. Two methods and corresponding criteria of identifying whether or not the interactions can be ignored are proposed. The result may guide designers to improve design and speed up the design process. This method is demonstrated by using an example.