Lexicographic optimisation in generalised network flow problems

In this paper the lexicographic optimisation of the multiobjective generalised network flow problem is considered. Optimality conditions are proved on the basis of the equivalence of this problem and a weighted generalised network flow problem. These conditions are used to develop a network-based algorithm which properly modifies primal-dual algorithms for minimum cost generalised network flow problems. Computational results indicate that this algorithm is faster than general-purpose algorithms for linear lexicographic optimisation. Besides, this model is used for approaching a water resource system design problem.     

强部分逆网络流问题

Abstract. In this paper,a new model for inverse network flow problems,robust partial inverseproblem is presented. For a given partial solution,the robust partial inverse problem is to modify the coefficients optimally such that all full solutions containing the partial solution becomeoptimal under new coefficients. It has been shown that the robust partial inverse spanning treeproblem can be formulated as a combinatorial linear program,while the robust partial inverseminimum cut problem and the robust partial inverse assignment problem can be solved by combinatorial strongly polynomial algorithms.     

On the extremal solutions for capacitated network problems

In this note we give a unifying approach to the problem of characterizing the extreme points of those convex matrix sets which correspond to the domains of various types of capacitated network problems. It is shown that we can determine whether a matrix is an extreme point of the sets by examining the pattern of a certain graph associated with it. We also study the extreme points of the convex matrix sets which are related to network problems free from capacity constraints by linking them up with certain capacitated network problem.     

The convex hull of two core capacitated network design problems

The network loading problem (NLP) is a specialized capacitated network design problem in which prescribed point-to-point demand between various pairs of nodes of a network must be met by installing (loading) a capacitated facility. We can load any number of units of the facility on each of the arcs at a specified arc dependent cost. The problem is to determine the number of facilities to be loaded on the arcs that will satisfy the given demand at minimum cost.This paper studies two core subproblems of the NLP. The first problem, motivated by a Lagrangian relaxation approach for solving the problem, considers a multiple commodity, single arc capacitated network design problem. The second problem is a three node network; this specialized network arises in larger networks if we aggregate nodes. In both cases, we develop families of facets and completely characterize the convex hull of feasible solutions to the integer programming formulation of the problems. These results in turn strengthen the formulation of the NLP.Research of this author was supported in part by a Faculty Grant from the Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh.     

A neural network model for scheduling problems

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been successfully applied to solve a variety of problems. This paper proposes a new neural network approach to solve the single machine mean tardiness scheduling problem and the minimum makespan job shop scheduling problem. The proposed network combines the characteristics of neural networks and algorithmic approaches. The performance of the network is compared with the existing scheduling algorithms under various experimental conditions. A comprehensive bibliography is also provided in the paper.     

Quasi-variational equilibrium models for network flow problems

We consider a formulation of a network equilibrium problem given by a suitable quasi-variational inequality where the feasible flows are supposed to be dependent on the equilibrium solution of the model. The Karush–Kuhn–Tucker optimality conditions for this quasi-variational inequality allow us to consider dual variables, associated with the constraints of the feasible set, which may receive interesting interpretations in terms of the network, extending the classic ones existing in the literature.     

Modeling centrality measures in social network analysis using bi-criteria network flow optimization problems

Centrality measures play an important role in the field of network analysis. In the particular case of social networks, the flow represents the way in which information passes through the network nodes. Freeman et al. (1991) were the first authors to relate centrality measures to network flow optimization problems in terms of betweenness, closeness, and the influence of one node over another one. Such measures are single dimensional and, in general, they amalgamate several heterogeneous dimensions into a single one, which is not suitable for dealing with most real-world problems. In this paper we extend the betweenness centrality measure (or concept) to take into account explicitly several dimensions (criteria). A new closeness centrality measure is defined to deal not only with the maximum flow between every ordered pair of nodes, but also with the cost associated with communications. We shall show how the classical measures can be enhanced when the problem is modeled as a bi-criteria network flow optimization problem.     

A neural network to solve quadratic programming problems with fuzzy parameters

In this paper, a representation of a recurrent neural network to solve quadratic programming problems with fuzzy parameters (FQP) is given. The motivation of the paper is to design a new effective one-layer structure neural network model for solving the FQP. As far as we know, there is not a study for the neural network on the FQP. Here, we change the FQP to a bi-objective problem. Furthermore, the bi-objective problem is reduced to a weighting problem and then the Lagrangian dual is constructed. In addition, we consider a neural network model to solve the FQP. Finally, some illustrative examples are given to show the effectiveness of our proposed approach.     

A parametric algorithm for convex cost network flow and related problems

The convex cost network flow problem is to determine the minimum cost flow in a network when cost of flow over each arc is given by a piecewise linear convex function. In this paper, we develop a parametric algorithm for the convex cost network flow problem. We define the concept of optimum basis structure for the convex cost network flow problem. The optimum basis structure is then used to parametrize v, the flow to be transsshipped from source to sink. The resulting algorithm successively augments the flow on the shortest paths from source to sink which are implicitly enumerated by the algorithm. The algorithm is shown to be polynomially bounded. Computational results are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the algorithm in solving large size problems. We also show how this algorithm can be used to (i) obtain the project cost curve of a CPM network with convex time-cost tradeoff functions; (ii) determine maximum flow in a network with concave gain functions; (iii) determine optimum capacity expansion of a network having convex arc capacity expansion costs.     

Capacitated facility location/network design problems

We introduce a combined facility location/network design problem in which facilities have constraining capacities on the amount of demand they can serve. This model has a number of applications in regional planning, distribution, telecommunications, energy management, and other areas. Our model includes the classical capacitated facility location problem (CFLP) on a network as a special case. We present a mixed integer programming formulation of the problem, and several classes of valid inequalities are derived to strengthen its LP relaxation. Computational experience with problems with up to 40 nodes and 160 candidate links is reported, and a sensitivity analysis provides insight into the behavior of the model in response to changes in key problem parameters.     

A primal-dual approximation algorithm for generalized steiner network problems

We present the first polynomial-time approximation algorithm for finding a minimum-cost subgraph having at least a specified number of edges in each cut. This class of problems includes, among others, the generalized Steiner network problem, also called the survivable network design problem. Ifk is the maximum cut requirement of the problem, our solution comes within a factor of 2k of optimal. Our algorithm is primal-dual and shows the importance of this technique in designing approximation algorithms.Research supported by an NSF Graduate Fellowship, DARPA contracts N00014-91-J-1698 and N00014-92-J-1799, and AT&T Bell Laboratories.Research supported in part by Air Force contract F49620-92-J-0125 and DARPA contract N00014-92-J-1799.Part of this work was done while the author was visiting AT&T Bell Laboratories and Bellcore.     

A neural network approach to facility layout problems

A near-optimum parallel algorithm for solving facility layout problems is presented in this paper where the problem is NP-complete. The facility layout problem is one of the most fundamental quadratic assignment problems in Operations Research. The goal of the problem is to locate N facilities on an N-square (location) array so as to minimize the total cost. The proposed system is composed of N × N neurons based on an artificial two-dimensional maximum neural network for an N-facility layout problem. Our algorithm has given improved solutions for several benchmark problems over the best existing algorithms.     

A robustness approach to uncapacitated network design problems

In this paper, we address uncapacitated network design problems characterised by uncertainty in the input data. Network design choices have a determinant impact on the effectiveness of the system. Design decisions are frequently made with a great degree of uncertainty about the conditions under which the system will be required to operate. Instead of finding optimal designs for a given future scenario, designers often search for network configurations that are “good” for a variety of likely future scenarios. This approach is referred to as the “robustness” approach to system design. We present a formal definition of “robustness” for the uncapacitated network design problem, and develop algorithms aimed at finding robust network designs. These algorithms are adaptations of the Benders decomposition methodology that are tailored so they can efficiently identify robust network designs. We tested the proposed algorithms on a set of randomly generated problems. Our computational experiments showed two important properties. First, robust solutions are abundant in uncapacitated network design problems, and second, the proposed algorithms performance is satisfactory in terms of cost and number of robust network designs obtained.     

Relaxation techniques for strictly convex network problems

Gauss—Seidel type relaxation techniques are applied in the context of strictly convex pure networks with separable cost functions. The algorithm is an extension of the Bertsekas—Tseng approach for solving the linear network problem and its dual as a pair of monotropic programming problems. The method is extended to cover the class of generalized network problems. Alternative internal tactics for the dual problem are examined. Computational experiments — aimed at the improved efficiency of the algorithm — are presented.This research was supported in part by National Science Foundation Grant No. DCR-8401098-A01.     

哈明距离下的网络逆问题研究综述

逆优化问题研究的是如何改变原问题中的权参数,使得某些给定的解是问题在新的权参数下的最优解,且使总的改造费用尽可能少.作为逆优化问题中相对较新的一个分支,哈明距离下的网络逆问题具有较大的理论研究及实际应用价值.此文首先介绍了逆优化问题和哈明距离下的网络逆问题以及它们的应用,然后详细介绍了哈明距离下的网络逆问题的研究动态及使用的研究方法.最后给出了该领域中的一些值得研究的问题.     

An ant colony optimization metaheuristic for single-path multicommodity network flow problems

This paper studies the single-path multicommodity network flow problem (SMNF), inwhich the flow of each commodity can only use one path linking its origin anddestination in the network. We study two versions of this problem based on twodifferent objectives. The first version is to minimize network congestion, anissue of concern in traffic grooming over wavelength division multiplexing(WDM), and in which there generally exists a commodity flow between every pairof nodes. The second problem is a constrained version of the general linearmulticommodity flow problem, in which, for each commodity, a single path isallowed to send the required flow, and the objective is to determine a flowpattern that obeys the arc capacities and minimizes the total shipping cost.Based on the node-arc and the arc-chain representations, we first present twoformulations. Owing to computational impracticality of exact algorithms forpractical networks, we propose an ant colony optimization-(ACO) basedmetaheuristic to deal with SMNF. Considering different problem properties, wedevise two versions of ACO metaheuristics to solve these two problems,respectively. The proposed algorithms’ efficiencies are experimentallyinvestigated on some generated instances of SMNF. The test results demonstratethat the proposed ACO metaheuristics are computationally efficient and robustapproaches for solving SMNF.     

Vector network equilibrium problems and nonlinear scalarization methods

The conventional equilibrium problem found in many economics and network models is based on a scalar cost, or a single objective. Recently, equilibrium problems based on a vector cost, or multicriteria, have received considerable attention. In this paper, we study a scalarization method for analyzing network equilibrium problems with vector-valued cost function. The method is based on a strictly monotone function originally proposed by Gerstewitz. Conditions that are both necessary and sufficient for weak vector equilibrium are derived, with the prominent feature that no convexity assumptions are needed, in contrast to other existing scalarization methods.     

Bilinear modeling solution approach for fixed charge network flow problems

We present a continuous, bilinear formulation for the fixed charge network flow problem. This formulation is used to derive an exact algorithm for the fixed charge network flow problem converging in a finite number of steps. Some preliminary computational experiments are reported to show the performance of the algorithm.     

Relaxation techniques for strictly convex network problems

Gauss—Seidel type relaxation techniques are applied in the context of strictly convex pure networks with separable cost functions. The algorithm is an extension of the Bertsekas—Tseng approach for solving the linear network problem and its dual as a pair of monotropic programming problems. The method is extended to cover the class of generalized network problems. Alternative internal tactics for the dual problem are examined. Computational experiments —aimed at the improved efficiency of the algorithm — are presented. This research was supported in part by National Science Foundation Grant No. DCR-8401098-A0l.     

Solution of preemptive multi-objective network design problems applying Benders decomposition method

This paper deals with preemptive priority based multi-objective network design problems in which construction times together with travel costs are taken into account. These cost and time objective functions are ordered lexicographically with respect to manager’s strategies in order to decrease total cost and total construction time of the network. To solve this preemptive problem, instead of the standard sequential approach, a modified Benders decomposition algorithm is developed. It is proved that this algorithm decreases the (expected) number of computations and so this algorithm is efficient for large-scale network design problems.