Nonlinear Integer and Discrete Programming in Mechanical Design Optimization

A general purpose algorithm for the solution of nonlinear mathematical programming problems containing integer, discrete, zero-one, and continuous design variables is described. The algorithm implements a branch and bound procedure in conjunction with either an exterior penalty function or a quadratic programming method. Variable bounds are handled independently from the design constraints which removes the necessity to reformulate the problem at each branching node. Examples are presented to demonstrate the utility of the algorithm for solving design problems.