Nonconvex optimization in mechanics. Algorithms, heuristics and engineering applications by the F. E. M (Q1278820)

The book is divided into four parts. In the first part, the authors present a number of engineering problems involving nonmonotone stress-strain or reaction-displacement laws, leading to nonconvex energy functions. The difficulties introduced by the nonconvexity and nonsmoothness are demonstrated on simple examples involving one or two variables. The second part gives the mathematical background of applied convex and nonconvex optimization. After a short review of literature, new algorithms inspired from engineering applications are proposed for the solution of the mathematical problem. The third part deals with the mathematical formulation of convex and nonconvex, smooth and nonsmooth problems in mechanics and engineering. Chapter 3 deals with convex problems while in chapter 4 the authors discuss nonconvex problems. The presentation of problems follows the same sequence in both chapters in order to facilitate the comparison of nonconvex problems to the corresponding convex problems. Starting from the basic relations of mechanics, the authors give a detailed formulation for a large class of engineering problems. First, interface problems are treated and the corresponding variational relations are obtained. Then the treatment is extended to include material nonlinearities. In the last chapter of part three (chapter 5), the authors discuss briefly some problems of optimal design of structures. After the theoretical formulation, certain algorithms are presented for its numerical treatment. The fourth part presents algorithms for the treatment of nonconvex, nonsmooth optimization problems. The algorithms are presented in chapter 6 and described in all possible details; the authors give certain hints on their computer implementation. In chapter 7, a number of engineering applications are presented. After the detailed examination of the behaviour of algorithms on very simple examples, the authors describe realistic engineering applications with large number of unknowns, exhibiting the potential of the optimization approach. The book is addressed to engineers and applied mathematicians. Engineers can use the material of this book to evaluate the difficulty of the problems they meet, to understand when and why the methods work, and to optimally identify the appropriate methods to be used in each specific case. Applied mathematicians working on optimization and mathematical modelling can find here a large number of practical problems where they can apply their techniques or test their new developments.