Many engineering optimization problems involve a special kind of discrete variable that {\em can} be represented by a number, but this representation has no significance. Such variables arise when a decision involves some situation like a choice from an unordered list of categories. This has two implications: The standard approach of solving problems with continuous … Read more
In the literature, thermal insulation systems with a fixed number of heat intercepts have been optimized with respect to intercept locations and temperatures. The number of intercepts and the types of insulators that surround them were chosen by parametric studies. This was because the optimization methods used could not treat such categorical variables. Discrete optimization … Read more
We investigate the polyhedral structure of a formulation of the k-way equipartition problem and a branch-and-cut algorithm for the problem. The k-way equipartition problem requires dividing the vertices of a weighted graph into k equally sized sets, so as to minimize the total weight of edges that have both endpoints in the same set. Applications … Read more
The National Football League (NFL) in the United States will expand to 32 teams in 2002 with the addition of a team in Houston. At that point, the league will be realigned into eight divisions, each containing four teams. We describe a branch-and-cut algorithm for minimizing the sum of intradivisional travel distances. We consider first … Read more
Networks 39 (2002), 216-231. CitationNetworks 39 (2002), 216-231.
This paper addresses a multi-period investment model for capacity expansion in an uncertain environment. Using a scenario tree approach to model the evolution of uncertain demand and cost parameters, and fixed-charge cost functions to model the economies of scale in expansion costs, we develop a multi-stage stochastic integer programming formulation for the problem. A reformulation … Read more
In this paper we describe the results of a computational study towards the (re)optimization of signaling transfer points (STPs) in telecommunication networks. The best performance of an STP is achieved whenever the traffic load is evenly distributed among the internal components. Due to the continuously changing traffic pattern, the load of the components has to … Read more
We develop a method for generating valid convex polynomial inequalities for mixed 0-1 convex programs. We also show how these inequalities can be generated in the linear case by defining cut generation problems using a projection cone. The basic results for quadratic inequalities are extended to generate convex polynomial inequalities. ArticleDownload View PDF
We present a nontrivial family of facet-defining inequalities for the p-median polytope. We incorporate the inequalities in a branch-and-cut scheme, and we report computational results that demonstrate their effectiveness. CitationDepartment of Industrial Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, submittedArticleDownload View PDF
We present a family of inequalities that are valid for the generalized assignment polytope. Although the inequalities are not facet-defining in general, they define facets of a polytope of a relaxation. We report computational results on the use of the inequalities in a branch-and-cut scheme that demonstrate their effectiveness. CitationDepartment of Industrial Engineering, State University … Read more