Information in the operations research process

The article deals with information in the OR process. The value of an ‘optimal’ model solution which is not implemented is not very high. Many errors are due to a too narrow formulation of the problem, often a formulation which has focused on purely technical and economic aspects, or a formulation which has been adapted for a standard model. The concepts and models treated in the article take their point of departure in the actual problem. The models can be used as a frame of reference by various individuals and groups which are involved in OR work.     

Linear system identification via an asymptotically stable observer

This paper presents a formulation for identification of linear multivariable systems from single or multiple sets of input-output data. The system input-output relationship is expressed in terms of an observer, which is made asymptotically stable by an embedded eigenvalue assignment procedure. The prescribed eigenvalues for the observer may be real, complex, mixed real and complex, or zero corresponding to a deadbeat observer. In this formulation, the Markov parameters of the observer are first identified from input-output data. The Markov parameters of the actual system are then recovered from those of the observer and used to realize a state space model of the system. The basic mathematical formulation is derived, and numerical examples are presented to illustrate the proposed method.     

Computational modeling of shape memory fibers in conforming and non-conforming compound structures

In this work a material model for shape memory alloy (SMA) fibers is presented. A constitutive model is provided which aims for computational use. The presented model incorporates all relevant material nonlinear phenomena. It takes pseudoplasticity into account as well as pseudoelasticity and further the shape memory effect (SME). The constrained SME (CSME) and the two-way SME are covered by the presented material model. The constitutive model is implemented in a one-dimensional truss formulation and in a 3D-rebar element. Both formulations are used to model fiber composite structures. Those are described by the use of a non-conforming and a conforming mesh on the mesoscale. The numerical examples show the capability of the formulation. Different meshing strategies for the fiber–matrix compound are discussed. (© 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A Finite Element Formulation for the Nonlinear Analysis of Piezoelectric Three-Dimensional Beam Structures

A finite element formulation for a three-dimensional piezoelectric beam which includes geometrical and material nonlinearities is presented. To account for the piezoelectric effect, the coupling between the mechanical stress and the electrical displacement is considered. Based on the Timoshenko theory, an eccentric beam formulation is introduced which provides an efficient model to analyze piezoelectric structures. The geometrically nonlinear assumption allows the calculation of large deformations including buckling analysis. A quadratic approximation of the electric potential through the cross section of the beam ensures the fulfilment of the charge conservation law exactly. This assumption leads to a finite element formulation with six mechanical and five electrical degrees of freedom per node. To take into account the typical ferroelectric hysteresis phenomena, a nonlinear material model is essential. For this purpose, the phenomenological Preisach model is implemented into the beam formulation which provides an efficient determination of the remanent part of the polarization. The applicability of the introduced beam formulation is discussed with respect to available data from literature. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A gradient model for finite strain elastoplasticity coupled with damage

This paper describes the formulation of an implicit gradient damage model for finite strain elastoplasticity problems including strain softening. The strain softening behavior is modeled through a variant of Lemaitre's damage evolution law. The resulting constitutive equations are intimately coupled with the finite element formulation, in contrast with standard local material models. A 3D finite element including enhanced strains is used with this material model and coupling peculiarities are fully described. The proposed formulation results in an element which possesses spatial position variables, nonlocal damage variables and also enhanced strain variables. Emphasis is put on the exact consistent linearization of the arising discretized equations.

A numerical set of examples comparing the results of local and the gradient formulations relative to the mesh size influence is presented and some examples comparing results from other authors are also presented, illustrating the capabilities of the present proposal.     

An exact solution procedure for a cluster hub location problem

This paper proposes a new (MIP) model formulation and a new solution procedure for the hub network design problem under a non-restrictive policy introduced by Sung and Jin [Sung, C.S., Jin, H.W., 2001. Dual-based approach for a hub network design problem under non-restrictive policy. European Journal of Operational Research 132 (1), 88–105]. The model formulation contains significantly fewer variables so that optimal solutions for the LP-relaxation of the model can be determined for large instances using standard procedures for LP-models. Furthermore, the LP-relaxation provides very tight lower bounds. Computational results are given, which demonstrate that the new model formulation allows for solving much larger instances. It turned out that the new (exact) solution procedure, which utilises the new model formulation, is faster than the heuristic proposed by Sung and Jin (2001). It is also shown that the problem is np-hard.     

A regularized pairwise multi-classification knowledge-based machine and applications

This paper presents a novel knowledge-based linear classification model for multi-category discrimination of sets or objects with prior knowledge. The prior knowledge is in the form of multiple polyhedral sets belonging to one or more categories or classes and it is introduced as additional constraints into the formulation of the Tikhonov linear least squares multi-class support vector machine model. The resulting formulation leads to a least squares problem that can be solved using matrix methods or iterative methods. Investigations include the development of a linear knowledge-based classification model extended to the case of multi-categorical discrimination and expressed as a single unconstrained optimization problem. Advantages of this formulation include explicit expressions for the classification weights of the classifier(s) and its ability to incorporate and handle prior knowledge directly to the classifiers. In addition it can provide fast solutions to the optimal classification weights for multi-categorical separation without the use of specialized solver-software. To evaluate the model, data and prior knowledge from the Wisconsin breast cancer prognosis and two-phase flow regimes in pipes were used to train and test the proposed formulation.     

Formulation of hybrid Trefftz finite element method for elastoplasticity

The present investigation provides a hybrid Trefftz finite element approach for analysing elastoplastic problems. A dual variational functional is constructed and used to derive hybrid Trefftz finite element formulation for elastoplasticity of bulky solids. The formulation is applicable to either strain hardening or elastic-perfectly plastic materials. A solution algorithm based on initial stress formulation is introduced into the new element model. The performance of the proposed element model is assessed by three examples and comparison is made with results obtained by other approaches. The hybrid Trefftz finite element approach is demonstrated to be particularly suited for nonlinear analysis of two-dimensional elastoplastic problems.     

An atomic interaction-based rod formulation for modelling Gecko adhesion

We present a nonlinear rod model which describes the adhesion mechanism used by the Gecko to cling to inclined and overhanging surfaces. The rod formulation is used to model the fine, hair–like setae, which form the microstructure of the Gecko toes. A simple geometric representation, based on hyperbolas, is used to capture the branching of the seta. The adhesion between seta and surface is modelled by an atomic interaction potential. The seta model is cast into a nonlinear finite element framework, which is used to simulate and study the pull–off behavior of a single seta. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Square-root dynamics of a giving up smoking model

The paper presents a new giving up smoking model for which interaction term is square root of potential and occasional smokers of model presented in Zaman (2011) [15]. First, we will show formulation of the model. Then we will discuss local and global stability of the model and its general solutions. The non-standard finite difference method (NSFD) is used to solve the new giving up smoking model. Both non-negativity and conservative law for differential equations system are discussed. Numerical results are presented graphically and compared well with those obtained by Runge–Kutta fourth-order method (RK4) and ODE45.     

Special finite elements including stress concentration effects of a hole

Special finite elements are developed for efficient evaluation of stress concentration around a hole in complex structures. The complex variable formulation is used to derive a special set of stress functions which embody the stress concentration effects of a hole. The stress functions in combination with an independent displacement field assumed along the element boundary are used to construct the special elements with the hybrid displacement finite element method. Several numerical examples are presented to show that the used of special finite elements to model critical regions around a hole, together with conventional finite elements to model other regions away from the hole, is not only very convenient but also highly accurate.     

Serial correlation estimation through the imprecise Goal Programming model

The Goal Programming (GP) model was used as a time-series analysis tool that incorporates a Serial Correlation where the dependent variable is considered as precise. This formulation does not take into consideration the decision-maker’s preferences. However, the dependent variable can be imprecise and its value can be expressed through an interval. The aim of this paper is to develop a new formulation of the GP model for regression with Serial Correlation where the dependent variable is imprecise. The proposed model will also integrate explicitly the decision-maker’s preferences. A numerical example was used to illustrate our model.     

A service flow model for the liner shipping network design problem

Global liner shipping is a competitive industry, requiring liner carriers to carefully deploy their vessels efficiently to construct a cost competitive network. This paper presents a novel compact formulation of the liner shipping network design problem (LSNDP) based on service flows. The formulation alleviates issues faced by arc flow formulations with regards to handling multiple calls to the same port. A problem which has not been fully dealt with earlier by LSNDP formulations. Multiple calls are handled by introducing service nodes, together with port nodes in a graph representation of the problem, and by introducing numbered arcs between a port and a novel service node. An arc from a port node to a service node indicate whether a service is calling the port or not. This representation allows recurrent calls of a service to a port, which previously could not be handled by LSNDP models. The model ensures strictly weekly frequencies of services, ensures that port-vessel draft capabilities are not violated, respects vessel capacities and the number of vessels available. The profit of the generated network is maximized, i.e. the revenue of flowed cargo subtracted operational costs of the network and a penalty for not flowed cargo. The model can be used to design liner shipping networks to utilize a container carrier’s assets efficiently and to investigate possible scenarios of changed market conditions. The model is solved as a Mixed Integer Program. Results are presented for the two smallest instances of the benchmark suite LINER-LIB-2012 presented in Brouer, Alvarez, Plum, Pisinger, and Sigurd (2013).     

A Phase Field Approach for Dynamic Fracture

In phase field fracture models cracks are indicated by the value of a scalar field variable which interpolates smoothly between broken and undamaged material. The evolution equation for this crack field is coupled to the mechanical field equations in order to model the mutual interaction between the crack evolution and mechanical quantities. In finite element simulations of crack growth at comparatively slow loading velocities, a quasi-static phase field model yields reasonable results. However, the simulation of fast loading or the nucleation of new cracks challenges the limits of such a formulation. Here, the quasi-static phase field model predicts brutal crack extension with an artificially high crack speed. In this work, we analyze to which extend a dynamic formulation of the mechanical part of the phase field model can overcome this paradox created by the quasi-static formulation. In finite element simulations, the impact of the dynamic effects is studied, and differences between the crack propagation behavior of the quasi-static model and the dynamic formulation are highlighted. (© 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A solid-shell finite element for fibre reinforced composites

Fibre reinforced composites consisting of several layers, each of which is composed of a woven fabric embedded in a matrix material, are investigated in this paper. Such materials are characterized by a complex anisotropic behavior, which necessitates a fully three-dimensional formulation of the constitutive equations. On the other hand, they are frequently used in thin shell-like applications. In order to account for the three-dimensional material law while still providing the suitable shape for thin structures, a solid-shell finite element for fibre composite materials is presented herein. Locking phenomena are treated by both the enhanced assumed strain (EAS) concept and the assumed natural strain concept (ANS). Using reduced integration together with hourglass stabilization leads to high computational efficiency. The anisotropic constitutive behavior of the composites is reflected by a micromechanically motivated continuum model, which –together with the solid-shell formulation– allows for an accurate representation of the through-the-thickness stress distribution even for thin structures. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Dual‐primal mixed finite elements for elliptic problems

In this article, a novel dual‐primal mixed formulation for second‐order elliptic problems is proposed and analyzed. The Poisson model problem is considered for simplicity. The method is a Petrov—Galerkin mixed formulation, which arises from the one‐element formulation of the problem and uses trial functions less regular than the test functions. Thus, the trial functions need not be continuous while the test functions must satisfy some regularity constraint. Existence and uniqueness of the solution are proved by using the abstract theory of Nicolaides for generalized saddle‐point problems. The Helmholtz Decomposition Principle is used to prove the inf‐sup conditions in both the continuous and the discrete cases. We propose a family of finite elements valid for any order, which employs piecewise polynomials and Raviart—Thomas elements. We show how the method, with this particular choice of the approximation spaces, is linked to the superposition principle, which holds for linear problems and to the standard primal and dual formulations, addressing how this can be employed for the solution of the final linear system. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 17: 137–151, 2001     

Constraining inverse stefan design problems

A new formulation possessing stable numerical characteristics is presented for inverse Stefan design processes. In such processes, the goal of the analysis is to design transient boundary conditions which produce the desired interfacial surface motion. This subclass of mildly ill-posed mathematical problems is amenable to the proposed solution methodology. This investigation presents a fixed-front differential formulation from which a weighted residual statement is developed. Orthogonal collocation is used to obtain numerical results illustrating the merit of imposing physical constraints in the mathematical model. These mathematical constraints can be viewed as design specifications and are available to the designer or experimentalist. The proposed methodology is flexible and can be generalized to problems involving continuous casting or crystal growth. Finally, symbolic manipulation is used for augmenting the computational methodology.     

A Hypergraph Framework for Optimal Model-Based Decomposition of Design Problems

Decomposition of large engineering system models is desirable sinceincreased model size reduces reliability and speed of numericalsolution algorithms. The article presents a methodology for optimalmodel-based decomposition (OMBD) of design problems, whether or notinitially cast as optimization problems. The overall model isrepresented by a hypergraph and is optimally partitioned into weaklyconnected subgraphs that satisfy decomposition constraints. Spectralgraph-partitioning methods together with iterative improvementtechniques are proposed for hypergraph partitioning. A known spectralK-partitioning formulation, which accounts for partition sizes andedge weights, is extended to graphs with also vertex weights. TheOMBD formulation is robust enough to account for computationaldemands and resources and strength of interdependencies between thecomputational modules contained in the model.