Global and local convergence of a class of penalty-free-type methods for nonlinear programming

We present a class of trust region algorithms without using a penalty function or a filter for nonlinear inequality constrained optimization and analyze their global and local convergence. In each iteration, the algorithms reduce the value of objective function or the measure of constraints violation according to the relationship between optimality and feasibility. A sequence of steps focused on improving optimality is referred to as an f-loop, while some restoration phase focuses on improving feasibility and is called an h-loop. In an f-loop, the algorithms compute trial step by solving a classic QP subproblem rather than using composite-step strategy. Global convergence is ensured by requiring the constraints violation of each iteration not to exceed an progressively tighter bound on constraints violation. By using a second order correction strategy based on active set identification technique, Marato’s effect is avoided and fast local convergence is shown. The preliminary numerical results are encouraging.