Pshenichny’s Linearization Method for Mechanical System Optimization

In 1970, Pshenichny published a linearization method for nonlinear programming in Russian, which has been overlooked in the English literature. The method is essentially a recursive quadratic programming technique with an active set strategy. Pshenichny has proved global convergence of the method and convergence rate estimates. The method is presented in this paper, with convergence theorems stated. Application of the method is made to shape optimal design, kinematic optimization, and dynamic system optimization. The method is shown to be particularly attractive in utilization of mechanical design sensitivity analysis techniques and performs well on all classes of problems treated.