STRUCTURAL OPTIMIZATION USING THE NEWTON MODIFIED BARRIER METHOD

The Newton Modified Barrier Method (NMBM) is applied to structural opt imization problems with large a number of design variables and constra ints. This nonlinear mathematical programming algorithm was based on t he Modified Barrier Function (MBF) theory and the Newton method for un constrained optimization. The distinctive feature of the NMBM method i s the rate of convergence that is due to the fact that the design rema ins in the Newton area after each Lagrange multiplier update. This con vergence characteristic is illustrated by application to structural pr oblems with a varying number of design variables and constraints. The results are compared with those obtained by optimality criteria (OC) m ethods and by the ASTROS program.