Necessary optimality conditions for a special class of bilevel programming problems with unique lower level solution

We consider a bilevel programming problem in Banach spaces whose lower level solution is unique for any choice of the upper level variable. A condition is presented which ensures that the lower level solution mapping is directionally differentiable, and a formula is constructed which can be used to compute this directional derivative. Afterwards, we apply these results in order to obtain first-order necessary optimality conditions for the bilevel programming problem. It is shown that these optimality conditions imply that a certain mathematical program with complementarity constraints in Banach spaces has the optimal solution zero. We state the weak and strong stationarity conditions of this problem as well as corresponding constraint qualifications in order to derive applicable necessary optimality conditions for the original bilevel programming problem. Finally, we use the theory to state new necessary optimality conditions for certain classes of semidefinite bilevel programming problems and present an example in terms of bilevel optimal control.     

On the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker reformulation of the bilevel optimization problem

This paper is mainly concerned with the classical KKT reformulation and the primal KKT reformulation (also known as an optimization problem with generalized equation constraint (OPEC)) of the optimistic bilevel optimization problem. A generalization of the MFCQ to an optimization problem with operator constraint is applied to each of these reformulations, hence leading to new constraint qualifications (CQs) for the bilevel optimization problem. M- and S-type stationarity conditions tailored for the problem are derived as well. Considering the close link between the aforementioned reformulations, similarities and relationships between the corresponding CQs and optimality conditions are highlighted. In this paper, a concept of partial calmness known for the optimal value reformulation is also introduced for the primal KKT reformulation and used to recover the M-stationarity conditions.     

Bilevel programming problems with simple convex lower level

This article is dedicated to the study of bilevel optimal control problems equipped with a fully convex lower level of special structure. In order to construct necessary optimality conditions, we consider a general bilevel programming problem in Banach spaces possessing operator constraints, which is a generalization of the original bilevel optimal control problem. We derive necessary optimality conditions for the latter problem using the lower level optimal value function, ideas from DC-programming and partial penalization. Afterwards, we apply our results to the original optimal control problem to obtain necessary optimality conditions of Pontryagin-type. Along the way, we derive a handy formula, which might be used to compute the subdifferential of the optimal value function which corresponds to the lower level parametric optimal control problem.     

Weak and strong stationarity in generalized bilevel programming and bilevel optimal control

In this article, we consider a general bilevel programming problem in reflexive Banach spaces with a convex lower level problem. In order to derive necessary optimality conditions for the bilevel problem, it is transferred to a mathematical program with complementarity constraints (MPCC). We introduce a notion of weak stationarity and exploit the concept of strong stationarity for MPCCs in reflexive Banach spaces, recently developed by the second author, and we apply these concepts to the reformulated bilevel programming problem. Constraint qualifications are presented, which ensure that local optimal solutions satisfy the weak and strong stationarity conditions. Finally, we discuss a certain bilevel optimal control problem by means of the developed theory. Its weak and strong stationarity conditions of Pontryagin-type and some controllability assumptions ensuring strong stationarity of any local optimal solution are presented.     

A penalty function method for solving inverse optimal value problem

In order to consider the inverse optimal value problem under more general conditions, we transform the inverse optimal value problem into a corresponding nonlinear bilevel programming problem equivalently. Using the Kuhn–Tucker optimality condition of the lower level problem, we transform the nonlinear bilevel programming into a normal nonlinear programming. The complementary and slackness condition of the lower level problem is appended to the upper level objective with a penalty. Then we give via an exact penalty method an existence theorem of solutions and propose an algorithm for the inverse optimal value problem, also analysis the convergence of the proposed algorithm. The numerical result shows that the algorithm can solve a wider class of inverse optimal value problem.     

Carbon tax based on the emission factor: a bilevel programming approach

We present a bilevel programming approach to design an effective carbon tax scheme based on the production emission factor, used as an intensity measure, for a competitive market with multiple players. At the upper level, the government sets a target emission factor for the industry and taxes firms if they exceed that target. At the lower level, the industry sets output levels that maximize social welfare. The bilevel model is transformed to a linear MIP by replacing the lower level optimization problem by its KKT conditions, and linearizing the complementarity slackness conditions. We test the model in the context of the cement industry. The results show that the proposed model finds the optimal tax rate that induces firms to switch to less carbon-intensive fuels and reduces the overall emissions.     

Optimality conditions for mixed discrete bilevel optimization problems

In this article, we consider bilevel optimization problems with discrete lower level and continuous upper level problems. Taking into account both approaches (optimistic and pessimistic) which have been developed in the literature to deal with this type of problem, we derive some conditions for the existence of solutions. In the case where the lower level is a parametric linear problem, the bilevel problem is transformed into a continuous one. After that, we are able to discuss local optimality conditions using tools of variational analysis for each of the different approaches. Finally, we consider a simple application of our results namely the bilevel programming problem with the minimum spanning tree problem in the lower level.     

Is bilevel programming a special case of a mathematical program with complementarity constraints?

Bilevel programming problems are often reformulated using the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions for the lower level problem resulting in a mathematical program with complementarity constraints(MPCC). Clearly, both problems are closely related. But the answer to the question posed is “No” even in the case when the lower level programming problem is a parametric convex optimization problem. This is not obvious and concerns local optimal solutions. We show that global optimal solutions of the MPCC correspond to global optimal solutions of the bilevel problem provided the lower-level problem satisfies the Slater’s constraint qualification. We also show by examples that this correspondence can fail if the Slater’s constraint qualification fails to hold at lower-level. When we consider the local solutions, the relationship between the bilevel problem and its corresponding MPCC is more complicated. We also demonstrate the issues relating to a local minimum through examples.     

关于二层规划的逼近问题

下层问题以上层决策变量作为参数,而上层是以下层问题的最优值作为响应 的一类最优化问题——二层规划问题。我们给出了由一系列此类二层规划去逼近原二层规划的逼近法,得到了这种逼近的一些有趣的结果.     

Multistage bilevel programming problems

In this article, we first examine some modeling scenarios for a multistage bilevel programming problem and develop the solution techniques based on certain reformulations of the original problem. The optimality conditions obtained for a class of multistage problems are given in terms of the second order subdifferentials of Mordukhovich.     

A robust approach for modeling limited observability in bilevel optimization

Many applications of bilevel optimization contain a leader facing a follower whose reaction deviates from the one expected by the leader due to some kind of bounded rationality. We consider bilinear bilevel problems with follower's response uncertainty due to limited observability regarding the leader's decision and exploit robust optimization to model the decision making of the follower. We show that the robust counterpart of the lower level allows to tackle the problem via the lower level's KKT conditions.     

The Generalized Mangasarian-Fromowitz Constraint Qualification and Optimality Conditions for Bilevel Programs

We consider the optimal value reformulation of the bilevel programming problem. It is shown that the Mangasarian-Fromowitz constraint qualification in terms of the basic generalized differentiation constructions of Mordukhovich, which is weaker than the one in terms of Clarke’s nonsmooth tools, fails without any restrictive assumption. Some weakened forms of this constraint qualification are then suggested, in order to derive Karush-Kuhn-Tucker type optimality conditions for the aforementioned problem. Considering the partial calmness, a new characterization is suggested and the link with the previous constraint qualifications is analyzed.     

非线性-线性二层规划问题的罚函数方法

利用下层问题的K-T最优性条件将下层为线性规划的一类非线性二层规划转化成相应的单层规划,同时取下层问题的互补条件为罚项,构造了该类非线性二层规划的罚问题.通过对相应罚问题性质的分析,得到了该类非线性二层规划问题的最优性条件,同时设计了该类二层规划问题的求解方法.数值结果表明该方法是可行、有效的.     

A Simply Constrained Optimization Reformulation of KKT Systems Arising from Variational Inequalities

The Karush—Kuhn—Tucker (KKT) conditions can be regarded as optimality conditions for both variational inequalities and constrained optimization problems. In order to overcome some drawbacks of recently proposed reformulations of KKT systems, we propose casting KKT systems as a minimization problem with nonnegativity constraints on some of the variables. We prove that, under fairly mild assumptions, every stationary point of this constrained minimization problem is a solution of the KKT conditions. Based on this reformulation, a new algorithm for the solution of the KKT conditions is suggested and shown to have some strong global and local convergence properties. Accepted 10 December 1997     

Optimality conditions in optimization problems with convex feasible set using convexificators

In this paper, we consider a nonsmooth optimization problem with a convex feasible set described by constraint functions which are neither convex nor differentiable nor locally Lipschitz necessarily. Utilizing upper regular convexificators, we characterize the normal cone of the feasible set and derive KKT type necessary and sufficient optimality conditions. Under some assumptions, we show that the set of KKT multipliers is bounded. We also characterize the set of optimal solutions and introduce a linear approximation corresponding to the original problem which is useful in checking optimality. The obtained outcomes extend various results existing in the literature to a more general setting.     

Exact Penalty Functions for Convex Bilevel Programming Problems

In this paper, we propose a new constraint qualification for convex bilevel programming problems. Under this constraint qualification, a locally and globally exact penalty function of order 1 for a single-level reformulation of convex bilevel programming problems is given without requiring the linear independence condition and the strict complementarity condition to hold in the lower-level problem. Based on these results, locally and globally exact penalty functions for two other single-level reformulations of convex bilevel programming problems can be obtained. Furthermore, sufficient conditions for partial calmness to hold in some single-level reformulations of convex bilevel programming problems can be given.     

一种非增值型凸二次双层规划的有效算法

主要研究了非增值型凸二次双层规划的一种有效求解算法。首先利用数学规划的对偶理论,将所求双层规划转化为一个下层只有一个无约束凸二次子规划的双层规划问题.然后根据两个双层规划的最优解和最优目标值之间的关系,提出一种简单有效的算法来解决非增值型凸二次双层规划问题.并通过数值算例的计算结果说明了该算法的可行性和有效性。     

一种求解线性二层规划的割平面方法

以下层问题的K-T最优性条件代替下层问题,将线性二层规划转化为相应的单层规划问题,通过分析单层规划可行解集合的结构特征,设计了一种求解线性二层规划全局最优解的割平面算法.数值结果表明所设计的割平面算法是可行、有效的.     

A Bridge Between Bilevel Programs and Nash Games

We study connections between optimistic bilevel programming problems and generalized Nash equilibrium problems. We remark that, with respect to bilevel problems, we consider the general case in which the lower level program is not assumed to have a unique solution. Inspired by the optimal value approach, we propose a Nash game that, transforming the so-called implicit value function constraint into an explicitly defined constraint function, incorporates some taste of hierarchy and turns out to be related to the bilevel programming problem. We provide a complete theoretical analysis of the relationship between the vertical bilevel problem and our “uneven” horizontal model: in particular, we define classes of problems for which solutions of the bilevel program can be computed by finding equilibria of our game. Furthermore, by referring to some applications in economics, we show that our “uneven” horizontal model, in some sense, lies between the vertical bilevel model and a “pure” horizontal game.     

A study of mixed discrete bilevel programs using semidefinite and semi-infinite programming

In this paper, we study the bilevel programming problem with discrete polynomial lower level problem. We start by transforming the problem into a bilevel problem comprising a semidefinite program (SDP for short) in the lower level problem. Then, we are able to deduce some conditions of existence of solutions for the original problem. After that, we again change the bilevel problem with SDP in the lower level problem into a semi-infinite program. With the aid of the exchange technique, for simple bilevel programs, an algorithm for computing a global optimal solution is suggested, the convergence is shown, and a numerical example is given.