Sequential Semidefinite Program for Robust Truss Optimization based on Robustness Functions associated with Stress Constraints

A robust truss optimization scheme, as well as an optimization algorithm, is presented based on the robustness function. Under the uncertainties of external forces based on the info-gap model, the maximization problem of robustness function is formulated as the optimization problem with infinitely many constraint conditions. By using a semidefinite relaxation technique, we reformulate the present problem to a nonlinear semidefinite programming problem. A sequential semidefinite programming method is proposed which has the global convergent property. It is shown, in numerical examples, that optimum designs of various trusses can be found without any difficulty.