Sequential equality-constrained optimization for nonlinear programming

A new method is proposed for solving optimization problems with equality constraints and bounds on the variables. In the spirit of Sequential Quadratic Programming and Sequential Linearly-Constrained Programming, the new method approximately solves, at each iteration, an equality-constrained optimization problem. The bound constraints are handled in outer iterations by means of an Augmented Lagrangian scheme. … Read more

Global convergence of a derivative-free inexact restoration filter algorithm for nonlinear programming

In this work we present an algorithm for solving constrained optimization problems that does not make explicit use of the objective function derivatives. The algorithm mixes an inexact restoration framework with filter techniques, where the forbidden regions can be given by the flat or slanting filter rule. Each iteration is decomposed in two independent phases: … Read more

A second-order sequential optimality condition associated to the convergence of optimization algorithms

Sequential optimality conditions have recently played an important role on the analysis of the global convergence of optimization algorithms towards first-order stationary points and justifying their stopping criteria. In this paper we introduce the first sequential optimality condition that takes into account second-order information. We also present a companion constraint qualification that is less stringent … Read more

UFO 2014 – Interactive System for Universal Functional Optimization

This report contains a description of the interactive system for universal functional optimization UFO, version 2014. This version contains interfaces to the MATLAB and SCILAB graphics environments. CitationResearch Report V1218-14, Institute of Computer Science, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 2014. ArticleDownload View PDF

On the Performance of SQP Methods for Nonlinear Optimization

This paper concerns some practical issues associated with the formulation of sequential quadratic programming (SQP) methods for large-scale nonlinear optimization. SQP methods find an approximate solution of a sequence of quadratic programming (QP) subproblems in which a quadratic model of the objective function is minimized subject to the linearized constraints. Extensive numerical results are given … Read more

A Filter SQP Method: Local Convergence and Numerical Results

The work by Gould, Loh, and Robinson [“A filter method with unified step computation for nonlinear optimization”, SIAM J. Optim., 24 (2014), pp. 175–209] established global convergence of a new filter line search method for finding local first-order solutions to nonlinear and nonconvex constrained optimization problems. A key contribution of that work was that the … Read more

Majorization-minimization procedures and convergence of SQP methods for semi-algebraic and tame programs

In view of solving nonsmooth and nonconvex problems involving complex constraints (like standard NLP problems), we study general maximization-minimization procedures produced by families of strongly convex sub-problems. Using techniques from semi-algebraic geometry and variational analysis –in particular Lojasiewicz inequality– we establish the convergence of sequences generated by this type of schemes to critical points. The … Read more

An Inertia-Free Filter Line-Search Algorithm for Large-Scale Nonlinear Programming

We present a filter line-search algorithm that does not require inertia information about the linear system to ensure global convergence. The proposed approach performs curvature tests along the search step to ensure descent. This feature permits more modularity in the linear algebra, enabling the use of a wider range of iterative and decomposition strategies. We … Read more

A collision detection approach for maximizing the material utilization

We introduce a new method for a task of maximal material utilization, which is is to fit a flexible, scalable three-dimensional body into another aiming for maximal volume whereas position and shape may vary. The difficulty arises from the containment constraint which is not easy to handle numerically. We use a collision detection method to … Read more

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