Global Optimization via Slack Variables

This paper presents a method for finding global optima to constrained nonlinear programs via slack variables. The method only applies if all functions involved are of class C1 but without any further qualification on the types of constraints allowed; it proceeds by reformulating the given program into a bi-objective program that is then solved for … Read more

A Feasible Active Set Method with Reoptimization for Convex Quadratic Mixed-Integer Programming

We propose a feasible active set method for convex quadratic programming problems with non-negativity constraints. This method is specifically designed to be embedded into a branch-and-bound algorithm for convex quadratic mixed integer programming problems. The branch-and-bound algorithm generalizes the approach for unconstrained convex quadratic integer programming proposed by Buchheim, Caprara and Lodi to the presence … Read more

An error analysis for polynomial optimization over the simplex based on the multivariate hypergeometric distribution

We study the minimization of fixed-degree polynomials over the simplex. This problem is well-known to be NP-hard, as it contains the maximum stable set problem in graph theory as a special case. In this paper, we consider a rational approximation by taking the minimum over the regular grid, which consists of rational points with denominator … Read more

On Global Optimization

This paper presents a relatively “unfettered” method for finding global optima to constrained nonlinear programs. The method reformulates the given program into a bi-objective mixed-integer program that is then solved for the Nash equilibrium. A numerical example (whose solution provides a new benchmark against which other algorithms may be assessed) is included to illustrate the … Read more

Constraint aggregation for rigorous global optimization

In rigorous constrained global optimization, upper bounds on the objective function help to reduce the search space. Their construction requires finding a narrow box around an approximately feasible solution, verified to contain a feasible point. Approximations are easily found by local optimization, but the verification often fails. In this paper we show that even if … Read more

Solving a Huff-like Stackelberg problem on networks

This work deals with a Huff-like Stackelberg problem, where the leader facility wants to decide its location so that its profit is maximal after the competitor (the follower) also built its facility. It is assumed that the follower makes a rational decision, maximizing their profit. The inelastic demand is aggregated into the vertices of a … Read more

Efficient combination of two lower bound functions in univariate global optimization

We propose a new method for solving univariate global optimization problems by combining a lower bound function of ®BB method (see [1]) with the lower bound function of the method developed in [4]. The new lower bound function is better than the two lower bound functions. We add the convex/concave test and pruning step which … Read more

Mathematical Programming techniques in Water Network Optimization

In this article we survey mathematical programming approaches to problems in the field of water network optimization. Predominant in the literature are two different, but related problem classes. One can be described by the notion of network design, while the other is more aptly termed by network operation. The basic underlying model in both cases … Read more

A refined error analysis for fixed-degree polynomial optimization over the simplex

We consider fixed-degree polynomial optimization over the simplex. This problem is well known to be NP-hard, since it contains the maximum stable set problem in combinatorial optimization as a special case. In this paper, we consider a known upper bound by taking the minimum value on a regular grid, and a known lower bound based … Read more

Application of the Moment-SOS Approach to Global Optimization of the OPF Problem

Finding a global solution to the optimal power flow (OPF) problem is difficult due to its nonconvexity. A convex relaxation in the form of semidefinite programming (SDP) has attracted much attention lately as it yields a global solution in several practical cases. However, it does not in all cases, and such cases have been documented … Read more