Numerical Optimization Techniques

Abstract

Numerical optimization techniques provide a uniquely general and versatile tool for design automation. While these methods have been developed, to a large degree, by the operations research community, research in their application to engineering problems has been extensive as well. The first formal statement of nonlinear programming (numerical optimization) applied to structural design was offered by Schmit in 1960 [1]. Since that time, the field has evolved at an ever-increasing pace until it can now be considered to be reasonably mature.