Robust Optimization for the Connected Facility Location Problem

In this paper we present a robust optimization (RO) model for the Connected Facility Location (ConFL) problem within the framework introduced by Bertsimas and Sim [Bertsimas, D. and M. Sim, Robust discrete optimization and network flows, Mathematical Programming 98 (2003), pp. 49–71], and show how to use a heuristic in conjunction with a lower bounding mechanism to rapidly find high-quality solutions. The use of a heuristic and a lower bound mechanism within this RO approach decreases significantly its computational time and broadens its applicability to other NP-hard problems. Here we present some of our computational results that attest to the efficiency of the approach, particularly on the Robust ConFL problem.     

Hybrid simulated annealing and MIP-based heuristics for stochastic lot-sizing and scheduling problem in capacitated multi-stage production system

This paper addresses lot sizing and scheduling problem of a flow shop system with capacity constraints, sequence-dependent setups, uncertain processing times and uncertain multi-product and multi-period demand. The evolution of the uncertain parameters is modeled by means of probability distributions and chance-constrained programming (CCP) theory. A new mixed-integer programming (MIP) model with big bucket time approach is proposed to formulate the problem. Due to the complexity of problem, two MIP-based heuristics with rolling horizon framework named non-permutation heuristic (NPH) and permutation heuristic (PH) have been performed to solve this model. Also, a hybrid meta-heuristic based on a combination of simulated annealing, firefly algorithm and proposed heuristic for scheduling is developed to solve the problem. Additionally, Taguchi method is conducted to calibrate the parameters of the meta-heuristic and select the optimal levels of the algorithm’s performance influential factors. Computational results on a set of randomly generated instances show the efficiency of the hybrid meta-heuristic against exact solution algorithm and heuristics.     

A list heuristic for vertex cover

We analyze a list heuristic for the vertex cover problem that handles the vertices in a given static order based on the degree sequence. We prove an approximation ratio of at most for a nonincreasing degree sequence, and show that no ordering can achieve an approximation ratio of less than .     

带冲突关系装箱问题的启发式求解算法

现实物流活动中大量存在的食品、药品和危险品等货物的分组包装问题属于带冲突关系的装箱问题(BPPC),其优化目标是在满足货物间冲突限制的前提下完成装箱操作,并最小化使用货箱的数量。本文从实际需求出发,基于货物之间的冲突关系、装箱顺序和货箱容量等约束建立相应的数学规划模型;随后设计了求解BPPC问题的启发式算法,算法通过迭代求解最大团结构实现货物间冲突关系的消去,根据当前货物最大团采用改进降序首次适应算法(FFD)完成货物装箱操作,并通过“洗牌”策略对已有装箱方案进行局部优化;最后,针对Iori算例数据,将以上算法与基于图着色的启发式算法进行比较分析,结果表明,本文算法是求解BPPC问题更为有效的方法。     

货运列车编组调度问题的模型与算法研究

从双向编组站运输生产实际情况出发,以最大化车站发出车数和最小化车辆在站平均停留时间(中时)为目标,综合考虑解体、编组调机能力限制、到发列车车流接续、车流在站停留时间约束的影响,建立了车站货运列车编组调度问题的多目标非线性混合整数规划模型,结合该优化模型难以求解的特点,将编组调度问题分解为配流、待解车列解体和待编车列编组三个子问题,进而设计了求解该问题的分层启发式算法,对正常和特殊运输组织条件下的列车编组调度问题进行了求解.     

The Analysis and the Representation of Balanced Complex Polytopes in 2D

In this paper, we deepen the theoretical study of the geometric structure of a balanced complex polytope (b.c.p.), which is the generalization of a real centrally symmetric polytope to the complex space. We also propose a constructive algorithm for the representation of its facets in terms of their associated linear functionals. The b.c.p.s are used, for example, as a tool for the computation of the joint spectral radius of families of matrices. For the representation of real polytopes, there exist well-known algorithms such as, for example, the Beneath–Beyond method. Our purpose is to modify and adapt this method to the complex case by exploiting the geometric features of the b.c.p. However, due to the significant increase in the difficulty of the problem when passing from the real to the complex case, in this paper, we confine ourselves to examine the two-dimensional case. We also propose an algorithm for the computation of the norm the unit ball of which is a b.c.p. This work was supported by INdAM-GNCS.     

A reference length approach for the 3D strip packing problem

In the three-dimensional strip packing problem (3DSP), we are given a container with an open dimension and a set of rectangular cuboids (boxes) and the task is to orthogonally pack all the boxes into the container such that the magnitude of the open dimension is minimized. We propose a block building heuristic based on extreme points for this problem that uses a reference length to guide its solution. Our 3DSP approach employs this heuristic in a one-step lookahead tree search algorithm using an iterative construction strategy. We tested our approach on standard 3DSP benchmark test data; the results show that our approach produces better solutions on average than all other approaches in literature for the majority of these data sets using comparable computation time.     

Using Dynamic Geometry Software to Add Contrast to Geometric Situations – A Case Study

There is no lack of suggestions concerning how Dynamic Geometry Software (DGS) may support heuristic approaches to problem solving. However, uses of DGS are often limited purely to a verifying role, in the sense that students are expected to vary or confirm empirically at the computer geometric data which are more or less given. By contrast, it seems worthwhile to seek other uses of DGS which go beyond mere confirmation so that the geometric situation is recognised in its particularity. This paper provides a case study that emerged from a project in which DGS formed an integral part of the pedagogical arrangement. The study is intended to show how the contrasting power of DGS might be utilised in a guided discovery setting.This revised version was published online in September 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Uniform machine scheduling with machine available constraints

1.IntroductionIntheclassicalparallelmachineschedulingareaweassumethatmachinesarealwaysavailable.However,aspointedin[1],inrealindustrysettingsthisassumptionmaynotbetrue.Forexample,machinesmaynotalwaysbeavailablebecauseoftheirpreventivemaintenanceduringtheschedulingperiod.Thatistosay,eachmachineiisunavailablefromsibuntilrib(05sib5rib),where0SkSm,withmbeingthenumberofunavailabilityperiodsformachineiduringtheplanninghorizon.Inotherwords,somepapersstatethatmachinesareavailableintimewindows,whichi…