Complexity Theory and Applications [Hardcover]

Nam P. Suh focussed his axiomatic design theories on methods to understand and deal with complexity. Suh is a well-respected designer and researcher in the fields of manufacturing and composite materials. He is best known for his systems that aim to speed up and simplify the process of design for manufacturing. The 'axioms' in axiomatic design refer to a process to help engineers reduce design specifications down to their simplest components, so that the engineers can produce the simplest possible solution to a problem. Complexity, besides being a key area of burgeoning research in disciplines interested in complex systems and chaos theory (like computer science and physics), is a complicating factor in engineering design that many engineers find difficult to overcome. Suh's multidisciplinary exploration of complex systems is meant to eliminate much of the confusion and allow engineers to accommodate complexity within simple, elegant design solutions.

1. Introduction
2. Introduction to Axiomatic Design Principles
3. Complexity Theory Based on Axiomatic Design
4. Reduction of Time-Independent Complexity
5. Reduction of Time-Dependent Complexity through the Use of Functional Periodicity
6. Reduction of Complexity in Manufacturing Systems
7. Reduction of Complexity by Means of Geometric Functional Periodicity
8. Reduction of Complexity in Materials through Functional Periodicity
9. Complexity of Biological Systems
10. Complexity of Socio-Political-Economic Issues