Fuzzy goal programming for multiobjective transportation problems

Several fuzzy approaches can be considered for solving multiobjective transportation problem. This paper presents a fuzzy goal programming approach to determine an optimal compromise solution for the multiobjective transportation problem. We assume that each objective function has a fuzzy goal. Also we assign a special type of nonlinear (hyperbolic) membership function to each objective function to describe each fuzzy goal. The approach focuses on minimizing the negative deviation variables from 1 to obtain a compromise solution of the multiobjective transportation problem. We show that the proposed method and the fuzzy programming method are equivalent. In addition, the proposed approach can be applied to solve other multiobjective mathematical programming problems. A numerical example is given to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed approach.     

Possibility linear programming with trapezoidal fuzzy numbers

Fuzzy linear programming with trapezoidal fuzzy numbers (TrFNs) is considered and a new method is developed to solve it. In this method, TrFNs are used to capture imprecise or uncertain information for the imprecise objective coefficients and/or the imprecise technological coefficients and/or available resources. The auxiliary multi-objective programming is constructed to solve the corresponding possibility linear programming with TrFNs. The auxiliary multi-objective programming involves four objectives: minimizing the left spread, maximizing the right spread, maximizing the left endpoint of the mode and maximizing the middle point of the mode. Three approaches are proposed to solve the constructed auxiliary multi-objective programming, including optimistic approach, pessimistic approach and linear sum approach based on membership function. An investment example and a transportation problem are presented to demonstrate the implementation process of this method. The comparison analysis shows that the fuzzy linear programming with TrFNs developed in this paper generalizes the possibility linear programming with triangular fuzzy numbers.     

A redundancy detection algorithm for fuzzy stochastic multi-objective linear fractional programming problems

The computational complexity of linear and nonlinear programming problems depends on the number of objective functions and constraints involved and solving a large problem often becomes a difficult task. Redundancy detection and elimination provides a suitable tool for reducing this complexity and simplifying a linear or nonlinear programming problem while maintaining the essential properties of the original system. Although a large number of redundancy detection methods have been proposed to simplify linear and nonlinear stochastic programming problems, very little research has been developed for fuzzy stochastic (FS) fractional programming problems. We propose an algorithm that allows to simultaneously detect both redundant objective function(s) and redundant constraint(s) in FS multi-objective linear fractional programming problems. More precisely, our algorithm reduces the number of linear fuzzy fractional objective functions by transforming them in probabilistic–possibilistic constraints characterized by predetermined confidence levels. We present two numerical examples to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed algorithm and exhibit its efficacy.     

Fuzzy programming and linear programming with several objective functions

In the recent past numerous models and methods have been suggested to solve the vectormaximum problem. Most of these approaches center their attention on linear programming problems with several objective functions. Apart from these approaches the theory of fuzzy sets has been employed to formulate and solve fuzzy linear programming problems. This paper presents the application of fuzzy linear programming approaches to the linear vectormaximum problem. It shows that solutions obtained by fuzzy linear programming are always efficient solutions. It also shows the consequences of using different ways of combining individual objective functions in order to determine an “optimal” compromise solution.     

A kind of fuzzy linear programming problems based on interval-valued fuzzy sets

Abstract. The objective of this paper is to deal with a kind of fuzzy linear programming problem based on interval-valued fuzzy sets (IVFLP) through the medium of procedure that turns IVFLP into parametric linear programming via the mathematical programming. Some useful results for the benefit of solving IVFLP are expounded and proved,developed and discussed. Furthermore,that the proposed techniques in this paper allow the decision-maker to assign a different degree of importance can provide a useful way to efficiently help the decision-maker make their decisions.     

Generalized linear multiplicative and fractional programming

This paper addresses itself to the algorithm for minimizing the sum of a convex function and a product of two linear functions over a polytope. It is shown that this nonconvex minimization problem can be solved by solving a sequence of convex programming problems. The basic idea of this algorithm is to embed the original problem into a problem in higher dimension and apply a parametric programming (path following) approach. Also it is shown that the same idea can be applied to a generalized linear fractional programming problem whose objective function is the sum of a convex function and a linear fractional function.     

Solving a full fuzzy linear programming using lexicography method and fuzzy approximate solution

This paper discusses full fuzzy linear programming (FFLP) problems of which all parameters and variable are triangular fuzzy numbers. We use the concept of the symmetric triangular fuzzy number and introduce an approach to defuzzify a general fuzzy quantity. For such a problem, first, the fuzzy triangular number is approximated to its nearest symmetric triangular number, with the assumption that all decision variables are symmetric triangular. An optimal solution to the above-mentioned problem is a symmetric fuzzy solution. Every FLP models turned into two crisp complex linear problems; first a problem is designed in which the center objective value will be calculated and since the center of a fuzzy number is preferred to (its) margin. With a special ranking on fuzzy numbers, the FFLP transform to multi objective linear programming (MOLP) where all variables and parameters are crisp.     

Fuzzy programming and profit and cost allocation for a production and transportation problem

In this paper, we deal with a real problem on production and transportation in a housing material manufacturer, and consider a production and transportation planning under the assumption that the manufacturer makes multiple products at factories in multiple regions and the products are in demand in each of the regions. First, we formulate mixed zero–one programming problems such that the cost of production and transportation is minimized subject to capacities of factories and demands of regions. Second, to realize stable production and satisfactory supply of the products in fuzzy environments, fuzzy programming for the production and transportation problem is incorporated. Finally, under the optimal planning of production and transportation, we show a profit and cost allocation by applying a solution concept from game theory. Using actual data, we show usefulness of the fuzzy programming and a rational allocation scheme of the profit and cost.     

A linear programming priority method for a fuzzy transportation problem with non-linear constraints

Demand and supply pattern for most products varies during their life cycle in the markets. In this paper, the author presents a transportation problem with non-linear constraints in which supply and demand are symmetric trapezoidal fuzzy value. In order to reflect a more realistic pattern, the unit of transportation cost is assumed to be stochastic. Then, the non-linear constraints are linearized by adding auxiliary constraints. Finally, the optimal solution of the problem is found by solving the linear programming problem with fuzzy and crisp constraints and by applying fuzzy programming technique. A new method proposed to solve this problem, and is illustrated through numerical examples. Multi-objective goal programming methodology is applied to solve this problem. The results of this research were developed and used as one of the Decision Support System models in the Logistics Department of Kayson Co.     

Nonlinear leastpth optimization and nonlinear programming

Over the past few years a number of researchers in mathematical programming became very interested in the method of the Augmented Lagrangian to solve the nonlinear programming problem. The main reason being that the Augmented Lagrangian approach overcomes the ill-conditioning problem and the slow convergence of the penalty methods. The purpose of this paper is to present a new method of solving the nonlinear programming problem, which has similar characteristics to the Augmented Lagrangian method. The original nonlinear programming problem is transformed into the minimization of a leastpth objective function which under certain conditions has the same optimum as the original problem. Convergence and rate of convergence of the new method is also proved. Furthermore numerical results are presented which illustrate the usefulness of the new approach to nonlinear programming.This work was supported by the National Research Council of Canada and by the Department of Combinatorics and Optimization of the University of Waterloo.     

Fuzzy nonlinear programming for mixed-discrete design optimization through hybrid genetic algorithm

Many practical engineering optimization problems involve discrete or integer design variables, and often the design decisions are to be made in a fuzzy environment in which the statements might be vague or imprecise. A mixed-discrete fuzzy nonlinear programming approach that combines the fuzzy λ-formulation with a hybrid genetic algorithm is proposed in this paper. This method can find a globally compromise solution for a mixed-discrete fuzzy optimization problem, even when the objective function is nonconvex and nondifferentiable. In the construction of the objective membership function, an error from the early research work is corrected and the right conclusion has been made. The illustrative examples demonstrate that more reliable and satisfactory results can be obtained through the present method.     

A fuzzy goal programming approach to multi-objective optimization problem with priorities

In goal programming problem, the general equilibrium and optimization are often two conflicting factors. This paper proposes a generalized varying-domain optimization method for fuzzy goal programming (FGP) incorporating multiple priorities. According to the three possible styles of the objective function, the varying-domain optimization method and its generalization are proposed. This method can generate the results consistent with the decision-maker (DM)’s expectation, that the goal with higher priority may have higher level of satisfaction. Using this new method, it is a simple process to balance between the equilibrium and optimization, and the result is the consequence of a synthetic decision between them. In contrast to the previous method, the proposed method can make that the higher priority achieving the higher satisfactory degree. To get the global solution of the nonlinear nonconvex programming problem resulting from the original problem and the varying-domain optimization method, the co-evolutionary genetic algorithms (GAs), called GENOCOPIII, is used instead of the SQP method. In this way the DM can get the optimum of the optimization problem. We demonstrate the power of this proposed method by illustrative examples.     

A method of solving fully fuzzified linear fractional programming problems

In this paper, we propose a method of solving the fully fuzzified linear fractional programming problems, where all the parameters and variables are triangular fuzzy numbers. We transform the problem of maximizing a function with triangular fuzzy value into a deterministic multiple objective linear fractional programming problem with quadratic constraints. We apply the extension principle of Zadeh to add fuzzy numbers, an approximate version of the same principle to multiply and divide fuzzy numbers and the Kerre’s method to evaluate a fuzzy constraint. The results obtained by Buckley and Feuring in 2000 applied to fractional programming and disjunctive constraints are taken into consideration here. The method needs to add extra zero-one variables for treating disjunctive constraints. In order to illustrate our method we consider a numerical example.     

Fuzzy Mathematical Programming: A Unified Approach Based On Fuzzy Relations

Fuzzy mathematical programming problems (FMP) form a subclass of decision - making problems where preferences between alternatives are described by means of objective function(s) defined on the set of alternatives. The formulation a FMP problem associated with the classical MP problem is presented. Then the concept of a feasible solution and optimal solution of FMP problem are defined. These concepts are based on generalized equality and inequality fuzzy relations. Among others we show that the class of all MP problems with (crisp) parameters can be naturally embedded into the class of FMP problems with fuzzy parameters. We also show that the feasible and optimal solutions being fuzzy sets are convex under some mild assumptions.     

基于模糊熵-熵权法的混合多属性决策方法

针对决策信息以区间数、直觉模糊数和语言变量给出的混合多属性决策问题,提出了基于模糊熵-熵权法的混合多属性决策方法。通过规范化的方法把区间数转化为直觉模糊数,建立了直觉模糊数与语言变量的对应关系,把混合多属性决策信息统一在同一决策框架下;然后利用熵权法确定属性的客观权重区间,通过求解属性信息模糊熵最小的线性规划模型得到属性客观权重;再与主观赋权方法相结合确定属性的组合权重;最后应用相对熵排序法得到方案的最终排序结果。算例分析表明方法的可行性和实用性。     

A fuzzy programming approach for dynamic virtual hub location problem

Hub location problem has been used in transportation network to exploit economies of scale. For example, a controversial issue in the planning of air transportation networks is inclement weather or emergency conditions. In this situation, hub facilities would not be able to provide a good service to their spoke nodes temporarily. Thus, some other kinds of predetermined underutilized facilities in the network are used as virtual hubs to host some or all connections of original hubs to recover the incurred incapacitation and increase network flexibility and demand flow. In such an unexpected situation, it is not unreasonable to expect that some information be imprecise or vague. To deal with this issue, fuzzy concept is used to pose a more realistic problem. Here, we present a fuzzy integer liner programming approach to propose a dynamic virtual hub location problem with the aim of minimizing transportation cost in the network. We examine the effectiveness of our model using the well-known CAB data set.     

On fuzzy random multiobjective quadratic programming

In this paper, a multiobjective quadratic programming problem having fuzzy random coefficients matrix in the objective and constraints and the decision vector are fuzzy pseudorandom variables is considered. First, we show that the efficient solutions of fuzzy quadratic multiobjective programming problems are resolved into series-optimal-solutions of relative scalar fuzzy quadratic programming. Some theorems are proved to find an optimal solution of the relative scalar quadratic multiobjective programming with fuzzy coefficients, having decision vectors as fuzzy variables. At the end, numerical examples are illustrated in the support of the obtained results.     

A dual-relax penalty function approach for solving nonlinear bilevel programming with linear lower level problem

The penalty function method, presented many years ago, is an important numerical method for the mathematical programming problems. In this article, we propose a dual-relax penalty function approach, which is significantly different from penalty function approach existing for solving the bilevel programming, to solve the nonlinear bilevel programming with linear lower level problem. Our algorithm will redound to the error analysis for computing an approximate solution to the bilevel programming. The error estimate is obtained among the optimal objective function value of the dual-relax penalty problem and of the original bilevel programming problem. An example is illustrated to show the feasibility of the proposed approach.     

Penalty methods for mathematical programming inE nwith general constraint sets

This paper extends the principal supporting results and the general convergence theorems for penalty methods, obtained by Fiacco and McCormick (Ref. 1) for the continuous mathematical programming problem, to the problem of minimizing a mildly regulated objective function over any nonempty subset ofE ⁿ.The constraint set need not be defined through a collection of inequalities. A general auxiliary function is defined, and the desired minimizing sequence is shown to exist, without additional assumptions (i.e., assumptions other than those invoked in the principal convergence theorem of Ref. 1). A particularly interesting consequence is the fact that a discrete (e.g., integer) programming problem can be solved by asingle unconstrained minimization of the auxiliary function.     

An approach to find redundant objective function(s) and redundant constraint(s) in multi-objective nonlinear stochastic fractional programming problems

Structural redundancies in mathematical programming models are nothing uncommon and nonlinear programming problems are no exception. Over the past few decades numerous papers have been written on redundancy. Redundancy in constraints and variables are usually studied in a class of mathematical programming problems. However, main emphasis has so far been given only to linear programming problems. In this paper, an algorithm that identifies redundant objective function(s) and redundant constraint(s) simultaneously in multi-objective nonlinear stochastic fractional programming problems is provided. A solution procedure is also illustrated with numerical examples. The proposed algorithm reduces the number of nonlinear fractional objective functions and constraints in cases where redundancy exists.