Convex envelopes generated from finitely many compact convex sets
We consider the problem of constructing the convex envelope of a lower semi-continuous function defined over a compact convex set. We formulate the envelope representation problem as a convex optimization problem for functions whose generating sets consist of finitely many compact convex sets. In particular, we consider nonnegative functions that are products of convex and component-wise concave functions and derive closed-form expressions for the convex envelopes of a wide class of such functions. Several examples demonstrate that these envelopes reduce significantly the relaxation gaps of widely used factorable relaxation techniques.
convex envelope factorable relaxations global optimization perspective transformation submodular functions