In this work we consider the problem $\min_x \{ f(x) + P(x) \}$, where $f$ is $\mathcal{C}^2$ and $P$ is nonsmooth, but contains an underlying smooth substructure. Specifically, we assume the function $P$ is prox-regular partly smooth with respect to a active manifold $\M$. Recent work by Tseng and Yun \cite{tseng-yun-2009}, showed that such a … Read more
We consider minimization of functions that are compositions of convex or prox-regular functions (possibly extended-valued) with smooth vector functions. A wide variety of important optimization problems fall into this framework. We describe an algorithmic framework based on a subproblem constructed from a linearized approximation to the objective and a regularization term. Properties of local solutions … Read more
The minimization of an objective function over a constraint set can often be simplified if the “active manifold” of the constraints set can be correctly identified. In this work we present a simple subproblem, which can be used inside of any (convergent) optimization algorithm, that will identify the active manifold of a “prox-regular partly smooth” … Read more
Techniques that identify the active constraints at a solution of a nonlinear programming problem from a point near the solution can be a useful adjunct to nonlinear programming algorithms. They have the potential to improve the local convergence behavior of these algorithms, and in the best case can reduce an inequality constrained problem to an … Read more
In the vicinity of a solution of a nonlinear programming problem at which both strict complementarity and linear independence of the active constraints may fail to hold, we describe a technique for distinguishing weakly active from strongly active constraints. We show that this information can be used to modify the sequential quadratic programming algorithm so … Read more