The problem of finding optimal values in complex
parameter optimization problems has often been solved with
success by evolutionary algorithms (EAs). In many cases,
these algorithms are employed as black-box methods over
imprecisely known domains. Such problems arise frequently
in engineering design. The principal barrier to the general
use of EAs for those problems is the huge number of function
evaluations that is often required. This makes EAs an impractical
approach when the function evaluation depends on numerically
heavy design analysis tools, for example, finite elements
methods. This paper presents the use of kriging interpolation
as a function approximation method for the construction
of an internal model of the fitness landscape. This model
is intended to guide the search process with a reduced
number of fitness function evaluations.