Geometry of optimality conditions and constraint qualifications: The convex case

The cones of directions of constancy are used to derive: new as well as known optimality conditions; weakest constraint qualifications; and regularization techniques, for the convex programming problem. In addition, the badly behaved set of constraints, i.e. the set of constraints which causes problems in the Kuhn—Tucker theory, is isolated and a computational procedure for checking whether a feasible point is regular or not is presented.This research was supported by the National Research Council of Canada and le Gouvernement du Quebec and is part of the author's Ph.D. Dissertation done at McGill University, Montreal, Que., under the guidance of Professor S. Zlobec.     

A path following algorithm for a class of convex programming problems

We present a primal-dual path following interior algorithm for a class of linearly constrained convex programming problems with non-negative decision variables. We introduce the definition of a Scaled Lipschitz Condition and show that if the objective function satisfies the Scaled Lipschitz Condition then, at each iteration, our algorithm reduces the duality gap by at least a factor of (1–/n), where is positive and depends on the curvature of the objective function, by means of solving a system of linear equations which requires no more than O(n³) arithmetic operations. The class of functions having the Scaled Lipschitz Condition includes linear, convex quadratic and entropy functions.     

Second order algorithms for the posynomial geometric programming dual,part I: Analysis

In this paper we analyse algorithms for the geometric dual of posynomial programming problems, that make explicit use of second order information. Out of two possible approaches to the problem, it is shown that one is almost always superior. Interestingly enough, it is the second, inferior approach that has dominated the geometric programming literature.This work was partially supported by the National Research Council of Canada, Grant A3552 and National Science Foundation Grant ENG78-21615.Earlier versions of this paper were presented at the Optimization Days Conference in Montreal (May 1976) and the TIMS meeting in Athens (July 1977).     

On the Pseudoconvexity of a Quadratic Fractional Function

In this paper we give a necessary and sufficient condition for the pseudoconvexity of a function f which is the ratio of a quadratic function over an affine function. The obtained results allow to suggest a simple algorithm to test the pseudoconvexity of f and also to characterize the pseudoconvexity of the sum of a linear and a linear fractional function.     

Extensions of algorithmic senstivity calculations nonlinear programming using barrier and penalty functions

We provide a theoretical basis for approximating the sensitivity of a perturbed solution and the local optimalvalue function, using information generated by a sequential unconstrained minimization technique in the normal course of solving a mathematical program. We show that various algorithmic sensitivity results can be obtained without other assumptions than those needed for the corresponding nonalgorithmic results. Our results extend the algorithmic calculation of sensitivity information introduced by Fiacco, utilizing the logarithmic barrier function and quadratic penalty function     

On duality concepts in fractional programming

The paper (Part I) describes an approach to duality in fractional programming on the basis of another kind of conjugate functions. The connections to some duality concepts (the Lagrange-duality and duality concepts of Craven and Schaible) are investigated and some new proofs of strong duality theorems are given.     

Path-following barrier and penalty methods for linearly constrained problems

In the present paper some barrier and penalty methods (e.g. logarithmic barriers, SUMT, exponential penalties), which define a continuously differentiable primal and dual path, applied to linearly constrained convex problems are studied, in particular, the radius of convergence of Newton’s method depending on the barrier and penalty para-meter is estimated, Unlike using self-concordance properties the convergence bounds are derived by direct estimations of the solutions of the Newton equations. The obtained results establish parameter selection rules which guarantee the overall convergence of the considered barrier and penalty techniques with only a finite number of Newton steps at each parameter level. Moreover, the obtained estimates support scaling method which uses approximate dual multipliers as available in barrier and penalty methods     

基于可靠度的结构优化的序列近似规划算法

基于可靠度的优化的最直观解法是把可靠度和优化的各自算法搭配一起形成嵌套两层次迭代。为改善其收敛性提高计算效率,人们提出了功能测度法、半无限规划法、单层次算法等多种改进方法。本文对传统结构优化界的经典序列近似规划法改造并扩展应用于求解基于可靠度的结构优化问题,构造该问题的序列近似规划模型和求解过程;其核心思想是在每个近似规划子问题中采用近似可靠度指标对设计变量的线性近似,在优化迭代过程中同步更新设计变量和随机空间中的近似验算点坐标,以达到可靠度分析和优化迭代同步收敛的目标。为了算法的实施,还推导出近似可靠度指标的半解析灵敏度计算公式,编制了程序,最终实现与通用软件的连接。论文用算例证实算法的有效性。     

概率约束下最优解的统计影响函数

本文把稳健统计的影响函数概念引入到了概率约束下的随机规划模型中．在一定条件下,得到了三个模型最优解的影响函数表达式．     

A practical weight sensitivity algorithm for goal and multiple objective programming

This paper presents a weight sensitivity algorithm that can be used to investigate a portion of weight space of interest to the decision maker in a goal or multiple objective programme. The preferential information required from the decision maker is an initial estimate of their starting solution, with an equal weights solution being used as a default if this is not available, and preference information that will define the portion of weight space on which the sensitivity analysis is to be conducted. The different types of preferential information and how they are incorporated by the algorithm are discussed. The output of the algorithm is a set of distinct solutions that characterise the portion of weight space searched. The possible different output requirements of decision makers are detailed in the context of the algorithm.The methodology is demonstrated on two examples, one hypothetical and the other relating to predicting cinema-going behaviour. Conclusions and avenues for future research are given.