A two-stage stochastic integer programming approach as a mixture of Branch-and-Fix Coordination and Benders Decomposition schemes

We present an algorithmic approach for solving two-stage stochastic mixed 0–1 problems. The first stage constraints of the Deterministic Equivalent Model have 0–1 variables and continuous variables. The approach uses the Twin Node Family (TNF) concept within the so-called Branch-and-Fix Coordination algorithmic framework to satisfy the nonanticipativity constraints, jointly with a Benders Decomposition scheme to solve a given LP model at each TNF integer set. As a pilot case, the structuring of a portfolio of Mortgage-Backed Securities under uncertainty in the interest rate path on a given time horizon is used. Some computational experience is reported.     

BFC-MSMIP: an exact branch-and-fix coordination approach for solving multistage stochastic mixed 0–1 problems

We present an exact algorithmic framework, so-called BFC-MSMIP, for optimizing multistage stochastic mixed 0–1 problems with complete recourse. The uncertainty is represented by using a scenario tree and lies anywhere in the model. The problem is modeled by a splitting variable representation of the Deterministic Equivalent Model of the stochastic problem, where the 0–1 variables and the continuous variables appear at any stage. The approach uses the Twin Node Family concept within the algorithmic framework, so-called Branch-and-Fix Coordination, for satisfying the nonanticipativity constraints in the 0–1 variables. Some blocks of additional strategies are used in order to show the performance of the proposed approach. The blocks are related to the scenario clustering, the starting branching and the branching order strategies, among others. Some computational experience is reported. It shows that the new approach obtains the optimal solution in all instances under consideration.      

On a mixture of the fix-and-relax coordination and Lagrangian substitution schemes for multistage stochastic mixed integer programming

We present a framework for solving large-scale multistage mixed 0–1 optimization problems under uncertainty in the coefficients of the objective function, the right-hand side vector, and the constraint matrix. A scenario tree-based scheme is used to represent the Deterministic Equivalent Model of the stochastic mixed 0–1 program with complete recourse. The constraints are modeled by a splitting variable representation via scenarios. So, a mixed 0–1 model for each scenario cluster is considered, plus the nonanticipativity constraints that equate the 0–1 and continuous so-called common variables from the same group of scenarios in each stage. Given the high dimensions of the stochastic instances in the real world, it is not realistic to obtain the optimal solution for the problem. Instead we use the so-called Fix-and-Relax Coordination (FRC) algorithm to exploit the characteristics of the nonanticipativity constraints of the stochastic model. A mixture of the FRC approach and the Lagrangian Substitution and Decomposition schemes is proposed for satisfying, both, the integrality constraints for the 0–1 variables and the nonanticipativity constraints. This invited paper is discussed in the comments available at: doi:, doi:, doi:, doi:.     

On solving the multi-period single-sourcing problem under uncertainty

We present a framework for solving the strategic problem of assigning retailers to facilities in a multi-period single-sourcing product environment under uncertainty in the demand from the retailers and the cost of production, inventory holding, backlogging and distribution of the product. By considering a splitting variable mathematical representation of the Deterministic Equivalent Model, we specialize the so-called Branch-and-Fix Coordination algorithmic framework. It exploits the structure of the model and, specifically, the non-anticipativity constraints for the assignment variables. The algorithm uses the Twin Node Family (TNF) concept. Our procedure is specifically designed for coordinating the selection of the branching TNF and the branching S3 set, such that the non-anticipativity constraints are satisfied. Some computational experience is reported. D. Romero Morales: The work of this author was supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DMI-0355533 The work of the first three authors has been partially supported by the grants TIC2003-05982-C05-05 and SEC2002-00112 from MCyT, Spain     

On convex quadratic programs with linear complementarity constraints

The paper shows that the global resolution of a general convex quadratic program with complementarity constraints (QPCC), possibly infeasible or unbounded, can be accomplished in finite time. The method constructs a minmax mixed integer formulation by introducing finitely many binary variables, one for each complementarity constraint. Based on the primal-dual relationship of a pair of convex quadratic programs and on a logical Benders scheme, an extreme ray/point generation procedure is developed, which relies on valid satisfiability constraints for the integer program. To improve this scheme, we propose a two-stage approach wherein the first stage solves the mixed integer quadratic program with pre-set upper bounds on the complementarity variables, and the second stage solves the program outside this bounded region by the Benders scheme. We report computational results with our method. We also investigate the addition of a penalty term y ^T Dw to the objective function, where y and w are the complementary variables and D is a nonnegative diagonal matrix. The matrix D can be chosen effectively by solving a semidefinite program, ensuring that the objective function remains convex. The addition of the penalty term can often reduce the overall runtime by at least 50 %. We report preliminary computational testing on a QP relaxation method which can be used to obtain better lower bounds from infeasible points; this method could be incorporated into a branching scheme. By combining the penalty method and the QP relaxation method, more than 90 % of the gap can be closed for some QPCC problems.     

Solving large single allocation p-hub problems with two or three hubs

In this paper we present an efficient approach for solving single allocation p-hub problems with two or three hubs. Two different variants of the problem are considered: the uncapacitated single allocation p-hub median problem and the p-hub allocation problem. We solve these problems using new mixed integer linear programming formulations that require fewer variables than those formerly used in the literature. The problems that we solve here are the largest single allocation problems ever solved. The numerical results presented here will demonstrate the superior performance of our mixed integer linear programs over traditional approaches for large problems. Finally we present the first mixed integer linear program for solving single allocation hub location problems that requires only O(n²) variables and O(n²) constraints that is valid for any number of hubs.     

A note on the MIR closure and basic relaxations of polyhedra

Anderson et al. (2005) [1] show that for a polyhedral mixed integer set defined by a constraint system Ax≥b, along with integrality restrictions on some of the variables, any split cut is in fact a split cut for a basic relaxation, i.e., one defined by a subset of linearly independent constraints. This result implies that any split cut can be obtained as an intersection cut. Equivalence between split cuts obtained from simple disjunctions of the form x_j≤0 or x_j≥1 and intersection cuts was shown earlier for 0/1-mixed integer sets by Balas and Perregaard (2002) [4]. We give a short proof of the result of Anderson, Cornuéjols and Li using the equivalence between mixed integer rounding (MIR) cuts and split cuts.     

Developing new formulations and relaxations of single stage capacitated warehouse location problem (SSCWLP): Empirical investigation for assessing relative strengths and computational effort

In literature, single/multistage warehouse location problems have been attempted by Geoffrion and Graves [A.M. Geoffrion, G.W. Graves, Multicommodity distribution system design by Benders decomposition, Management Science 2 (1974) 82–114] and Sharma [R.R.K. Sharma, Modeling a fertilizer distribution system, European Journal of Operational Research 51 (1991) 24–34] among others and they have given completely different formulations. We use the formulation style given by Sharma and Sharma [R.R.K. Sharma, K.D. Sharma, A new dual based procedure for the transportation problem, European Journal of Operational Research 122 (3) (2000) 96–109] to develop variety of constraints that link real and 0–1 integer variables; thus developing many formulations of single stage capacitated warehouse location problem (SSCWLP). We relax the integer constraints on 0–1 variables to obtain their relaxations.     

Modeling disjunctive constraints with a logarithmic number of binary variables and constraints

Many combinatorial constraints over continuous variables such as SOS1 and SOS2 constraints can be interpreted as disjunctive constraints that restrict the variables to lie in the union of a finite number of specially structured polyhedra. Known mixed integer binary formulations for these constraints have a number of binary variables and extra constraints linear in the number of polyhedra. We give sufficient conditions for constructing formulations for these constraints with a number of binary variables and extra constraints logarithmic in the number of polyhedra. Using these conditions we introduce mixed integer binary formulations for SOS1 and SOS2 constraints that have a number of binary variables and extra constraints logarithmic in the number of continuous variables. We also introduce the first mixed integer binary formulations for piecewise linear functions of one and two variables that use a number of binary variables and extra constraints logarithmic in the number of linear pieces of the functions. We prove that the new formulations for piecewise linear functions have favorable tightness properties and present computational results showing that they can significantly outperform other mixed integer binary formulations.     

On the distribution of integer random variables related by a certain linear inequality: I

We consider the mathematical problem of the allocation of indistinguishable particles to integer energy levels under the condition that the number of particles can be arbitrary and the total energy of the system is bounded above. Systems of integer as well as fractional dimension are considered. The occupation numbers can either be arbitrary nonnegative integers (the case of “Bose particles”) or lie in a finite set {0, 1, …, R} (the case of so-called parastatistics; for example, R = 1 corresponds to the Fermi-Dirac statistics). Assuming that all allocations satisfying the given constraints are equiprobable, we study the phenomenon whereby, for large energies, most of the allocations tend to concentrate near the limit distribution corresponding to the given parastatistics.     

A new linearization technique for multi-quadratic 0-1 programming problems

We consider the reduction of multi-quadratic 0-1 programming problems to linear mixed 0-1 programming problems. In this reduction, the number of additional continuous variables is O(kn) (n is the number of initial 0-1 variables and k is the number of quadratic constraints). The number of 0-1 variables remains the same.     

On multistage Stochastic Integer Programming for incorporating logical constraints in asset and liability management under uncertainty

We present a model for optimizing a mean-risk function of the terminal wealth for a fixed income asset portfolio restructuring with uncertainty in the interest rate path and the liabilities along a given time horizon. Some logical constraints are considered to be satisfied by the assets portfolio. Uncertainty is represented by a scenario tree and is dealt with by a multistage stochastic mixed 0-1 model with complete recourse. The problem is modelled as a splitting variable representation of the Deterministic Equivalent Model for the stochastic model, where the 0-1 variables and the continuous variables appear at any stage. A Branch-and-Fix Coordination approach for the multistage 0–1 program solving is proposed. Some computational experience is reported.      

Lagrangian Decomposition for large-scale two-stage stochastic mixed 0-1 problems

In this paper we study solution methods for solving the dual problem corresponding to the Lagrangian Decomposition of two-stage stochastic mixed 0-1 models. We represent the two-stage stochastic mixed 0-1 problem by a splitting variable representation of the deterministic equivalent model, where 0-1 and continuous variables appear at any stage. Lagrangian Decomposition (LD) is proposed for satisfying both the integrality constraints for the 0-1 variables and the non-anticipativity constraints. We compare the performance of four iterative algorithms based on dual Lagrangian Decomposition schemes: the Subgradient Method, the Volume Algorithm, the Progressive Hedging Algorithm, and the Dynamic Constrained Cutting Plane scheme. We test the tightness of the LD bounds in a testbed of medium- and large-scale stochastic instances.     

An efficient linearization technique for mixed 0-1 polynomial problem

This paper addresses a new and efficient linearization technique to solve mixed 0-1 polynomial problems to achieve a global optimal solution. Given a mixed 0-1 polynomial term z=c_tx₁x₂…x_ny, where x₁,x₂,…,x_n are binary (0-1) variables and y is a continuous variable. Also, c_t can be either a positive or a negative parameter. We transform z into a set of auxiliary constraints which are linear and can be solved by exact methods such as branch and bound algorithms. For this purpose, we will introduce a method in which the number of additional constraints is decreased significantly rather than the previous methods proposed in the literature. As is known in any operations research problem decreasing the number of constraints leads to decreasing the mathematical computations, extensively. Thus, research on the reducing number of constraints in mathematical problems in complicated situations have high priority for decision makers. In this method, each n-auxiliary constraints proposed in the last method in the literature for the linearization problem will be replaced by only 3 novel constraints. In other words, previous methods were dependent on the number of 0-1 variables and therefore, one auxiliary constraint was considered per 0-1 variable, but this method is completely independent of the number of 0-1 variables and this illustrates the high performance of this method in computation considerations. The analysis of this method illustrates the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.     

An Approach for Strategic Supply Chain Planning under Uncertainty based on Stochastic 0-1 Programming

We present a two-stage stochastic 0-1 modeling and a related algorithmic approach for Supply Chain Management under uncertainty, whose goal consists of determining the production topology, plant sizing, product selection, product allocation among plants and vendor selection for raw materials. The objective is the maximization of the expected benefit given by the product net profit over the time horizon minus the investment depreciation and operations costs. The main uncertain parameters are the product net price and demand, the raw material supply cost and the production cost. The first stage is included by the strategic decisions. The second stage is included by the tactical decisions. A tight 0-1 model for the deterministic version is presented. A splitting variable mathematical representation via scenario is presented for the stochastic version of the model. A two-stage version of a Branch and Fix Coordination (BFC) algorithmic approach is proposed for stochastic 0-1 program solving, and some computational experience is reported for cases with dozens of thousands of constraints and continuous variables and hundreds of 0-1 variables.     

Minimising total average cycle stock subject to practical constraints

Silver and Moon (J Opl Res Soc 50(8) (1999) 789–796) address the problem of minimising total average cycle stock subject to two practical constraints. They provide a dynamic programming formulation for obtaining an optimal solution and propose a simple and efficient heuristic algorithm. Hsieh (J Opl Res Soc 52(4) (2001) 463–470) proposes a 0–1 linear programming approach to the problem and a simple heuristic based on the relaxed 0–1 programming formulation. We show in this paper that the formulation of Hsieh can be improved for solving very large size instances of this inventory problem. So the mathematical approach is interesting for several reasons: the definition of the model is simple, its implementation is immediate by using a mathematical programming language together with a mixed integer programming software and the performance of the approach is excellent. Computational experiments carried out on the set of realistic examples considered in the above references are reported. We also show that the general framework for modelling given by mixed integer programming allows the initial model to be extended in several interesting directions.     

New convergent heuristics for 0–1 mixed integer programming

Several hybrid methods have recently been proposed for solving 0–1 mixed integer programming problems. Some of these methods are based on the complete exploration of small neighborhoods. In this paper, we present several convergent algorithms that solve a series of small sub-problems generated by exploiting information obtained from a series of relaxations. These algorithms generate a sequence of upper bounds and a sequence of lower bounds around the optimal value. First, the principle of a linear programming-based algorithm is summarized, and several enhancements of this algorithm are presented. Next, new hybrid heuristics that use linear programming and/or mixed integer programming relaxations are proposed. The mixed integer programming (MIP) relaxation diversifies the search process and introduces new constraints in the problem. This MIP relaxation also helps to reduce the gap between the final upper bound and lower bound. Our algorithms improved 14 best-known solutions from a set of 108 available and correlated instances of the 0–1 multidimensional Knapsack problem. Other encouraging results obtained for 0–1 MIP problems are also presented.     

Revised multi-choice goal programming for multi-period,multi-stage inventory controlled supply chain model with popup stores in Guerrilla marketing

In this paper, we consider a supply chain network design problem with popup stores which can be opened for a few weeks or months before closing seasonally in a marketplace. The proposed model is multi-period and multi-stage with multi-choice goals under inventory management constraints and formulated by 0–1 mixed integer linear programming. The design tasks of the problem involve the choice of the popup stores to be opened and the distribution network design to satisfy the demand with three multi-choice goals. The first goal is minimization of the sum of transportation costs in all stages; the second is to minimization of set up costs of popup stores; and the third goal is minimization of inventory holding and backordering costs. Revised multi-choice goal programming approach is applied to solve this mixed integer linear programming model. Also, we provide a real-world industrial case to demonstrate how the proposed model works.     

The multi-item capacitated lot-sizing problem with setup times and shortage costs

We address a multi-item capacitated lot-sizing problem with setup times and shortage costs that arises in real-world production planning problems. Demand cannot be backlogged, but can be totally or partially lost. The problem is NP-hard. A mixed integer mathematical formulation is presented. Our approach in this paper is to propose some classes of valid inequalities based on a generalization of Miller et al. [A.J. Miller, G.L. Nemhauser, M.W.P. Savelsbergh, On the polyhedral structure of a multi-item production planning model with setup times, Mathematical Programming 94 (2003) 375–405] and Marchand and Wolsey [H. Marchand, L.A. Wolsey, The 0–1 knapsack problem with a single continuous variable, Mathematical Programming 85 (1999) 15–33] results. We also describe fast combinatorial separation algorithms for these new inequalities. We use them in a branch-and-cut framework to solve the problem. Some experimental results showing the effectiveness of the approach are reported.     

Two stage linear programming under uncertainty with 0–1 integer first stage variables

Stochastic programs with continuous variables are often solved using a cutting plane method similar to Benders' partitioning algorithm. However, mixed 0–1 integer programs are also solved using a similar procedure along with enumeration. This similarity is exploited in this paper to solve two stage linear programs under uncertainty where the first stage variables are 0–1. Such problems often arise in capital investment. A network investment application is given which includes as a special case a coal transportation problem.