Efficient distribution of materials in multi-component systems design

In this paper we propose a method for materials selection, conceived to be applied to multi-component systems design, which has the following main characteristics: it takes into account various aspects of optimization in the choice of material, from conventional ones (minimization of the masses and costs), to those aimed to meet the functional performances required; for each component constituting the system, it matches the choice of material with sizing, by defining free geometrical variables of the problem; it takes account of the constraints to be imposed on the distribution of materials in a multi-component system. As a further peculiarity, the optimal choice of materials and component sizing are guided by an efficiency principle, which presupposes a choice of material calibrated on real performance needs. After presenting the formalization of the problem of choice of materials in multi-component systems, such as to contemplate the features specified above, an application in the case of a widely diffused plant component is outlined.