Sequential Semidefinite Program for Maximum Robustness Design of Structures under

Abstract. A robust structural optimization scheme as well as an optimiza-tion algorithm are presented based on the robustness function. Under the uncertainties of the external forces based on the info-gap model, the maxi-mization of the robustness function is formulated as an optimization problem with infinitely many constraints. By using the quadratic embedding tech-nique of uncertainty and the S-procedure, we reformulate the problem into a nonlinear semidefinite programming problem. A sequential semidefinite pro-gramming method is proposed which has a global convergent property. It is shown through numerical examples that optimum designs of various linear elastic structures can be found without difficulty. Key Words. Robust optimization, info-gap model, semidefinite programs, structural optimization, successive linearization methods. 1