The Strength of Dantzig-Wolfe Reformulations for the Stable Set and Related Problems

Dantzig-Wolfe reformulation of an integer program convexifies a subset of the constraints, which yields an extended formulation with a potentially stronger linear programming (LP) relaxation. We would like to better understand the strength of such reformulations in general. As a first step we investigate the classical edge formulation for the stable set problem. We characterize … Read more

Separation of Generic Cutting Planes in Branch-and-Price Using a Basis

Dantzig-Wolfe reformulation of a mixed integer program partially convexifies a subset of the constraints, i.e., it implicitly adds all valid inequalities for the associated integer hull. Projecting an optimal basic solution of the reformulation’s LP relaxation to the original space does is in general not yield a basic solution of the original LP relaxation. Cutting … Read more

Vector Space Decomposition for Linear Programs

This paper describes a vector space decomposition algorithmic framework for linear programming guided by dual feasibility considerations. The resolution process moves from one basic solution to the next according to an exchange mechanism which is defined by a direction and a post-evaluated step size. The core component of this direction is obtained via the smallest … Read more

Ship Traffic Optimization for the Kiel Canal

We introduce, discuss, and solve a hard practical optimization problem which we call the ship traffic control problem (STCP). Since we plan bi-directional traffic, STCP relates to, and in fact generalizes train timetabling on single-track networks. The objective of finding quickest routes motivates the integration of recent algorithmic ideas from dynamic collision-free routing of automated … Read more

Decomposition theorems for linear programs

It is well known that any feasible arc-flow solution to a network problem defined on a graph $G = (N, A)$, where $N$ is the set of nodes whereas $A$ is the set of arcs, can be expressed using at most $|A| + |N|$ paths and cycles having nonzero flow, out of these, at most … Read more

Tools for primal degenerate linear programs: IPS, DCA, and PE

This paper describes three recent tools for dealing with primal degeneracy in linear programming. The first one is the Improved Primal Simplex (IPS) algorithm which turns degeneracy into a possible advantage. The constraints of the original problem are dynamically partitioned based on the numerical values of the current basic variables. The idea is to work … Read more

Automatic Dantzig-Wolfe Reformulation of Mixed Integer Programs

Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition (or reformulation) is well-known to provide strong dual bounds for specially structured mixed integer programs (MIPs). However, the method is not implemented in any state-of-the-art MIP solver as it is considered to require structural problem knowledge and tailoring to this structure. We provide a computational proof-of-concept that the reformulation can be automated. That … Read more

Improved Column Generation for Highly Degenerate Master Problems

Column generation for solving linear programs with a huge number of variables alternates between solving a master problem and a pricing subproblem to add variables to the master problem as needed. The method is known to suffer from degeneracy of the master problem, exposing what is called the tailing-off effect. Inspired by recent advances in … Read more

Partial Convexification of General MIPs by Dantzig-Wolfe Reformulation

Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition is well-known to provide strong dual bounds for specially structured mixed integer programs (MIPs) in practice. However, the method is not part of any state-of-the-art MIP solver: it needs tailoring to the particular problem; the typical bordered block-diagonal matrix structure determines the decomposition; the resulting column generation subproblems need to be solved efficiently; … Read more

Sequencing and Scheduling in Coil Coating with Shuttles

We consider a complex planning problem in integrated steel production. A sequence of coils of sheet metal needs to be color coated in consecutive stages. Di erent coil geometries and changes of coatings may necessitate time-consuming setup work. In most coating stages one can choose between two parallel color tanks in order to reduce setup times. … Read more