Investigation of the Robustness Index of the Objective Function in Robust Optimization

The concept of robust optimization is based on Taguchi's method. Especially, robustness indices of objective function pursue an insensitive and conservative design when there are variations on design variables and parameters. To accomplish the purpose, various robustness indices on the objective function have been developed. However, it can be caused limitations to develop the robustness index, because there is difference between the Taguchi's method and robust optimization. In this paper, an investigation is performed to identify the characteristics and the drawbacks of the previous studies. To achieve the purpose, evaluations are conducted by using the examples which have both a deterministic optimum and a robust optimum. Moreover, a new viewpoint as well as a robustness index using a supremum value of the objective function is proposed based on the investigation.