A novel approach to solve linear systems arising from BEM using fast wavelet transforms

This paper uses Daubechies orthogonal wavelets to change dense and fully populated matrices of boundary element method (BEM) systems into sparse and semi‐banded matrices. Then a novel algorithm based on hierarchical nature of multiresolution analysis is introduced to solving resultant sparse linear systems. This algorithm decomposes NS‐form of transformed parent matrix into descendant systems with reduced sizes and solves them iteratively using GMRES algorithm. Both parts, changing dense matrices to sparse systems and the novel solver, can be added as a black box to the existing BEM codes. Transforming matrices into wavelet space needs less time than saved by solving sparse large systems. Numerical results with a precise study on sensitivity of solution for physical variables to the thresholding parameter, and savings in computer time and memory are presented. Also, the suitable value for thresholding parameter is recommended for elasticity problems. The results indicate that the proposed method is efficient for large problems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Target setting in the general combined-oriented CCR model using an interactive MOLP method

The traditional data envelopment analysis (DEA) model does not include a decision maker’s (DM) preference structure while measuring relative efficiency, with no or minimal input from the DM. To incorporate DM’s preference information in DEA, various techniques have been proposed. An interesting method to incorporate preference information, without necessary prior judgment, is the use of an interactive decision making technique that encompasses both DEA and multi-objective linear programming (MOLP). In this paper, we will use Zionts-Wallenius (Z-W) method to reflecting the DM’s preferences in the process of assessing efficiency in the general combined-oriented CCR model. A case study will conducted to illustrate how combined-oriented efficiency analysis can be conducted using the MOLP method.     

Some new results in linear programs with trapezoidal fuzzy numbers: Finite convergence of the Ganesan and Veeramani’s method and a fuzzy revised simplex method

In a recent paper, Ganesan and Veermani [K. Ganesan, P. Veeramani, Fuzzy linear programs with trapezoidal fuzzy numbers, Ann. Oper. Res. 143 (2006) 305–315] considered a kind of linear programming involving symmetric trapezoidal fuzzy numbers without converting them to the crisp linear programming problems and then proved fuzzy analogues of some important theorems of linear programming that lead to a new method for solving fuzzy linear programming (FLP) problems. In this paper, we obtain some another new results for FLP problems. In fact, we show that if an FLP problem has a fuzzy feasible solution, it also has a fuzzy basic feasible solution and if an FLP problem has an optimal fuzzy solution, it has an optimal fuzzy basic solution too. We also prove that in the absence of degeneracy, the method proposed by Ganesan and Veermani stops in a finite number of iterations. Then, we propose a revised kind of their method that is more efficient and robust in practice. Finally, we give a new method to obtain an initial fuzzy basic feasible solution for solving FLP problems.     

Fuzzy chance-constrained data envelopment analysis: a structured literature review,current trends,and future directions

Fuzzy Optimization and Decision Making - Fuzzy data envelopment analysis (FDEA) is one of the most applicable approaches for performance assessment of peer decision making units under ambiguity...     

Sensitivity analysis in fuzzy number linear programming problems

In this paper, we generalize the concept of sensitivity analysis in fuzzy number linear programming (FLNP) problems by applying fuzzy simplex algorithms and using the general linear ranking functions on fuzzy numbers. The purpose of sensitivity analysis is to determine changes in the optimal solution of FNLP problem resulting from changes in the data. If the change affects the optimality of the basis, we perform primal pivots to achieve optimality by use of the fuzzy primal simplex method. Whenever the change destroys the feasibility of the optimal basis, we perform dual pivots to achieve feasibility by use of the fuzzy dual simplex method.     

A novel two-phase group decision making approach for construction project selection in a fuzzy environment

This paper considers a construction project problem under multiple criteria in a fuzzy environment and proposes a new two-phase group decision making (GDM) approach. This approach integrates a modified analytic network process (ANP) and an improved compromise ranking method, known as VIKOR. To take uncertainty and risk into account, a new decision making approach is presented with multiple fuzzy information by a group of experts, and a risk attitude for each expert is incorporated that can be expressed linguistically. First, a modified fuzzy ANP method is introduced to address the problem of dependence as well as feedback among conflicting criteria and to determine their relative importance. Then, a fuzzy VIKOR method is extended to rank potential projects on the basis of their overall performance. An illustrative example from the literature is provided for the construction project problem to demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed approach. The computational results show that the proposed two-phase GDM approach is suitable to cope with imprecision and subjectivity for the complicated decision making problem. Finally, the associated results of the proposed approach with risk attitudes and without risk attitudes are compared with the results reported by Cheng and Li [1], and the merits are highlighted.     

Finite volume analysis of adaptive beams with piezoelectric sensors and actuators

This paper presents a finite volume (FV) formulation for the free vibration analysis and active vibration control of the smart beams with piezoelectric sensors and actuators. The governing equations based on Timoshenko beam theory are discretized using the finite volume method. For the purpose of forced vibration control of beam structures, the negative velocity feedback controller is designed for the single-input, single-output system. To achieve the best effect, the piezoelectric sensors and actuators are coupled with the host structure in different positions and then the performance of the designed control system is evaluated for each position. In the test examples, first the shear locking free feature of the present formulation is demonstrated. This has been performed by doing static and natural frequency analysis of some reference models. Then, the capability of the proposed method for the prediction of uncontrolled forced vibration response and active vibration control of a beam structure is studied.     

A Note on Ranking Fuzzy Numbers with an Area Method using Circumcenter of Centroids

In this study, we show that ranking fuzzy numbers with the area method using circumcenter of centroids presented by Rao and Shankar failed to rank effectively the generalized fuzzy numbers. By proving a theorem and using some numerical examples, we demonstrate that their proposed method cannot rank consistently some fuzzy numbers or is not consistent with human intuition.     

Using complementary slackness property to solve linear programming with fuzzy parameters

The most popular approach to handle the challenge of solving fuzzy linear programming problems is to convert the fuzzy linear programming into the corresponding deterministic linear programming. Mahdavi-Amiri and Nasseri [15,16] developed the fuzzy dual simplex algorithm to fuzzy linear programming with fuzzy parameters. In this paper, we use the complementary slackness to solve it without the need of a simplex tableau.     

A new approach for solving fully intuitionistic fuzzy transportation problems

In this paper, a well-known network-structured problem called the transportation problem (TP) is considered in an uncertain environment. The transportation costs, supply and demand are represented by trapezoidal intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (TrIFNs) which are the more generalized form of trapezoidal fuzzy numbers involving a degree of acceptance and a degree of rejection. We formulate the intuitionistic fuzzy TP (IFTP) and propose a solution approach to solve the problem. The IFTP is converted into a deterministic linear programming (LP) problem, which is solved using standard LP algorithms. The main contributions of this paper are fivefold: (1) we convert the formulated IFTP into a deterministic classical LP problem based on ordering of TrIFNs using accuracy function; (2) in contrast to most existing approaches, which provide a crisp solution, we propose a new approach that provides an intuitionistic fuzzy optimal solution; (3) in contrast to existing methods that include negative parts in the obtained intuitionistic fuzzy optimal solution and intuitionistic fuzzy optimal cost, we propose a new method that provides non-negative intuitionistic fuzzy optimal solution and optimal cost; (4) we discuss about the advantages of the proposed method over the existing methods for solving IFTPs; (5) we demonstrate the feasibility and richness of the obtained solutions in the context of two application examples.