Author(s)

A.F.M. Azevedo

Abstract

This paper describes a second-order method that can be used to calculate the optimal solution of a nonlinear program with equality and inequality constraints. The functions that define the mathematical program are generalized polynomials, allowing for the interpretation and derivation of the objective function and constraints, in a fully automatic, exact and efficient manner. Slack variables are used to convert the inequality constraints into equality constraints. The optimal solution is calculated with the Lagrange-Newton method. Results are presented for the cost minimization of linear 3D trusses, where successful solutions have been achieved for problems with over 1CP independent design variables and over 10^ constraints. 1 Introduction First-order methods are the most commonly used in structural optimization [4] [10] and are often combi

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