Min-max-min robustness: a new approach to combinatorial optimization under uncertainty based on multiple solutions

In the classical min-max approach to robust combinatorial optimization, a single feasible solution is computed that optimizes the worst case over a given set of considered scenarios. As is well known, this approach is very conservative, leading to solutions that in the average case are far from being optimal. In this paper, we present a … Read more

Modeling Two-Dimensional Guillotine Cutting Problems via Integer Programming

We propose a framework to model general guillotine restrictions in two-dimensional cutting problems formulated as Mixed Integer Linear Programs (MIP). The modeling framework requires a pseudo-polynomial number of variables and constraints, which can be effectively enumerated for medium-size instances. Our modeling of general guillotine cuts is the first one that, once it is implemented within … Read more

Solving Power-Constrained Gas Transportation Problems using an MIP-based Alternating Direction Method

We present a solution algorithm for problems from steady-state gas transport optimization. Due to nonlinear and nonconvex physics and engineering models as well as discrete controllability of active network devices, these problems lead to hard nonconvex mixed-integer nonlinear optimization models. The proposed method is based on mixed-integer linear techniques using piecewise linear relaxations of the … Read more

Approximation of Knapsack Problems with Conflict and Forcing Graphs

We study the classical 0-1 knapsack problem with additional restrictions on pairs of items. A conflict constraint states that from a certain pair of items at most one item can be contained in a feasible solution. Reversing this condition, we obtain a forcing constraint stating that at least one of the two items must be … Read more

An electronic compendium of extreme functions for the Gomory–Johnson infinite group problem

In this note we announce the availability of an electronic compendium of extreme functions for Gomory–Johnson’s infinite group problem. These functions serve as the strongest cut-generating functions for integer linear optimization problems. We also close several gaps in the literature. ArticleDownload View PDF

Convex hull of two quadratic or a conic quadratic and a quadratic inequality

In this paper we consider an aggregation technique introduced by Yildiran, 2009 to study the convex hull of regions defined by two quadratic or by a conic quadratic and a quadratic inequality. Yildiran shows how to characterize the convex hull of open sets defined by two strict quadratic inequalities using Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMI). We … Read more

A specialized branch-and-bound algorithm for the Euclidean Steiner tree problem in n-space

We present a specialized branch-and-bound (b&b) algorithm for the Euclidean Steiner tree problem (ESTP) in R^n and apply it to a convex mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) formulation of the problem, presented by Fampa and Maculan. The algorithm contains procedures to avoid difficulties observed when applying a b&b algorithm for general MINLP problems to solve the … Read more

Strong Inequalities for Chance-Constrained Program

As an essential substructure underlying a large class of chance-constrained programming problems with finite discrete distributions, the mixing set with $0-1$ knapsack has received considerable attentions in recent literature. In this study, we present a family of strong inequalities that subsume existing ones for this set. We also find many other inequalities that can be … Read more

Light on the Infinite Group Relaxation

This is a survey on the infinite group problem, an infinite-dimensional relaxation of integer linear optimization problems introduced by Ralph Gomory and Ellis Johnson in their groundbreaking papers titled “Some continuous functions related to corner polyhedra I, II” [Math. Programming 3 (1972), 23-85, 359-389]. The survey presents the infinite group problem in the modern context … Read more

Facets for Continuous Multi-Mixing Set with General Coefficients and Bounded Integer Variables

Bansal and Kianfar introduced continuous multi-mixing set where the coefficients satisfy the so-called n-step MIR conditions and developed facet-defining inequalities for this set. In this paper, we first generalize their inequalities for the continuous multi-mixing set with general coefficients (where no conditions are imposed on the coefficients) and show that they are facet-defining in many … Read more