Cut-based Conflict Analysis in Mixed Integer Programming

For almost two decades, mixed integer programming (MIP) solvers have used graph- based conflict analysis to learn from local infeasibilities during branch-and-bound search. In this paper, we improve MIP conflict analysis by instead using reasoning based on cuts, inspired by the development of conflict-driven solvers for pseudo- Boolean optimization. Phrased in MIP terminology, this type … Read more

A graphical framework for global optimization of mixed-integer nonlinear programs

While mixed-integer linear programming and convex programming solvers have advanced significantly over the past several decades, solution technologies for general mixed-integer nonlinear programs (MINLPs) have yet to reach the same level of maturity. Various problem structures across different application domains remain challenging to model and solve using modern global solvers, primarily due to the lack … Read more

A Decomposition Algorithm for Distributionally Robust Chance-Constrained Programs with Polyhedral Ambiguity Set

In this paper, we study a distributionally robust optimization approach to chance-constrained stochastic programs to hedge against uncertainty in the distributions of the random parameters. We consider a general polyhedral ambiguity set under finite support and study Wasserstein ambiguity set, total variation distance ambiguity set, and moment-based ambiguity set as examples for our computations. We … Read more

A computational study of cutting-plane methods for multi-stage stochastic integer programs

We report a computational study of cutting plane algorithms for multi-stage stochastic mixed-integer programming models with the following cuts: (i) Benders’, (ii) Integer L-shaped, and (iii) Lagrangian cuts. We first show that Integer L-shaped cuts correspond to one of the optimal solutions of the Lagrangian dual problem, and, therefore, belong to the class of Lagrangian … Read more

Relaxation strength for multilinear optimization: McCormick strikes back

We consider linear relaxations for multilinear optimization problems. In a recent paper, Khajavirad proved that the extended flower relaxation is at least as strong as the relaxation of any recursive McCormick linearization (Operations Research Letters 51 (2023) 146-152). In this paper we extend the result to more general linearizations, and present a simpler proof. Moreover, … Read more

A proof system for certifying symmetry and optimality reasoning in integer programming

We present a proof system for establishing the correctness of results produced by optimization algorithms, with a focus on mixed-integer programming (MIP). Our system generalizes the seminal work of Bogaerts, Gocht, McCreesh, and Nordström (2022) for binary programs to handle any additional difficulties arising from unbounded and continuous variables, and covers a broad range of … Read more

Cutting planes from the simplex tableau for quadratically constrained optimization problems

We describe a method to generate cutting planes for quadratically constrained optimization problems. The method uses information from the simplex tableau of a linear relaxation of the problem in combination with McCormick estimators. The method is guaranteed to cut off a basic feasible solution of the linear relaxation that violates the quadratic constraints in the … Read more

Safe and Verified Gomory Mixed Integer Cuts in a Rational MIP Framework

This paper is concerned with the exact solution of mixed-integer programs (MIPs) over the rational numbers, i.e., without any roundoff errors and error tolerances. Here, one computational bottleneck that should be avoided whenever possible is to employ large-scale symbolic computations. Instead it is often possible to use safe directed rounding methods, e.g., to generate provably … Read more

On Supervalid Inequalities for Binary Interdiction Games

Supervalid inequalities are a specific type of constraints often used within the branch-and-cut framework to strengthen the linear relaxation of mixed-integer programs. These inequalities share the particular characteristic of potentially removing feasible integer solutions as long as they are already dominated by an incumbent solution. This paper focuses on supervalid inequalities for solving binary interdiction … Read more

Optimality-Based Discretization Methods for the Global Optimization of Nonconvex Semi-Infinite Programs

We use sensitivity analysis to design optimality-based discretization (cutting-plane) methods for the global optimization of nonconvex semi-infinite programs (SIPs). We begin by formulating the optimal discretization of SIPs as a max-min problem and propose variants that are more computationally tractable. We then use parametric sensitivity theory to design an efficient method for solving these max-min … Read more