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Showing 12 results for Robust

Taha Hosseinhejazi, Majid Ramezani, Mirmehdi Seyyed-Esfahani, Ali Mohammad Kimiagari,
Volume 24, Issue 2 (6-2013)
Abstract

control of production processes in an industrial environment needs the correct setting of input factors, so that output products with desirable characteristics will be resulted at minimum cost. Moreover, such systems havetomeetset of qualitycharacteristicstosatisfycustomer requirements.Identifyingthemosteffectivefactorsindesignoftheprocesswhichsupportcontinuousandcontinualimprovement isrecentlydiscussedfromdifferentviewpoints.Inthisstudy, we examined the quality engineering problems in which several characteristics and factors are to be analyzed through a simultaneous equations system. Besides, the several probabilistic covariates can be included to the proposed model. The main purpose of this model is to identify interrelations among exogenous and endogenous variables, which give important insight for systematic improvements of quality. At the end, the proposed approach is described analytically by a numerical example.
Dr. A. Ghodratnama, Prof. R. Tavakkoli-Moghaddam, Dr. A. Ghodratnama Baboli Vahdani, Mr. B. Vahdani,
Volume 25, Issue 4 (10-2014)
Abstract

Hub location-allocation problems are currently a subject of keen interest in the research community. However, when this issue is considered in practice, significant difficulties such as traffic, commodity transportation and telecommunication tend to be overlooked. In this paper, a novel robust mathematical model for a p-hub covering problem, which tackles the intrinsic uncertainty of some parameters, is investigated. The main aim of the mathematical model is to minimize costs involving: 1) the covering cost 2) the sum of the transportation costs 3) the sum of the opening cost of facilities in the hubs 4) the sum of the reopening cost of facilities in hubs 5) the sum of the activating cost facilities in hubs and 6) the sum of the transporters' purchasing cost. To solve this model, use has been made of the new extensions to the robust optimization theory. To evaluate the robustness of the solutions obtained by the novel robust optimization approach, they are compared to those generated by the deterministic mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model for a number of different test problems. Finally, the conclusions are presented.
Mr Aliakbar Hasani, Mr Seyed Hessameddin Zegordi,
Volume 26, Issue 1 (3-2015)
Abstract

In this study, an optimization model is proposed to design a Global Supply Chain (GSC) for a medical device manufacturer under disruption in the presence of pre-existing competitors and price inelasticity of demand. Therefore, static competition between the distributors’ facilities to more efficiently gain a further share in market of Economic Cooperation Organization trade agreement (ECOTA) is considered. This competition condition is affected by disruption occurrence. The aim of the proposed model is to maximize the expected net after-tax profit of GSC under disruption and normal situation at the same time. To effectively deal with disruption, some practical strategies are adopted in the design of GSC network. The uncertainty of the business environment is modeled using the robust optimization technique based on the concept of uncertainty budget. To tackle the proposed Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) model, a hybrid Taguchi-based Memetic Algorithm (MA) with an adaptive population size is developed that incorporates a customized Adaptive Large Neighborhood Search (ALNS) as its local search heuristic. A fitness landscape analysis is used to improve the systematic procedure of neighborhood selection in the proposed ALNS. A numerical example and computational results illustrate the efficiency of the proposed model and algorithm in dealing with global disruptions under uncertainty and competition pressure.
Mahdi Bashiri, Mahdyeh Shiri, Mohammad Hasan Bakhtiarifar,
Volume 26, Issue 2 (7-2015)
Abstract

There are many real problems in which multiple responses should be optimized simultaneously by setting of process variables. One of the common approaches for optimization of multi-response problems is desirability function. In most real cases, there is a correlation structure between responses so ignoring the correlation may lead to mistake results. Hence, in this paper a robust approach based on desirability function is extended to optimize multiple correlated responses. Main contribution of the current study is the synthesis of ideas considering correlation structure in robust optimization through defining joint confidence interval and desirability function method. A genetic algorithm was employed to solve the introduced problem. Effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated through some computational examples and some comparisons with previous methods were performed to show applicability of the proposed approach. Also, a sensitivity analysis was provided to show relationship of correlation and robustness in these approaches.

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Roghaye Hemmatjou, Nasim Nahavandi, Behzad Moshiri,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (9-2016)
Abstract

In most of the multi–criteria decision–analysis (MCDA) problems in which the Choquet integral is used as aggregation function, the coefficients of Choquet integral (capacity) are not known in advance. Actually, they could be calculated by capacity definition methods. In these methods, the preference information of decision maker (DM) is used to constitute a possible solution space. The methods which are based on optimizing an objective function most often suffer from three drawbacks. Firstly, the selection of the ultimate solution from solution set is arbitrarily done. Secondly, the solution may provide more information than whatever proposed by DM. Thirdly, DM may not fully interpret the results. Robust capacity definition methods are proposed to overcome these kinds of drawbacks, on the other hand these methods do not consider evenness (uniformity) which is a major property of capacity. Since in capacity definition methods, the preference information on only a subset of alternatives called reference alternatives, is used, defining the capacity as uniform as possible could improve its capability in evaluating non–reference alternatives. This paper proposes an algorithm to define a capacity that is based only on the preference information of DM and consequently is representative. Furthermore, it improves evenness of capacity and consequently its reliability in evaluating non–reference alternatives. The algorithm is used to evaluate power plant projects. Power plant projects are of the most important national projects in Iran and a major portion of national capital is invested on them, so these projects should be scientifically evaluated in order to figure out their performance. Case–specific criteria are considered in addition to general criteria used in project performance evaluation. The evaluation results obtained from proposed algorithm are compared with those of the most representative utility function method.


Seyyed-Mahdi Hosseini-Motlagh, Sara Cheraghi, Mohammadreza Ghatreh Samani,
Volume 27, Issue 4 (12-2016)
Abstract

The eternal need for humans' blood as a critical commodity makes the healthcare systems attempt to provide efficient blood supply chains (BSCs) by which the requirements are satisfied at the maximum level. To have an efficient supply of blood, an appropriate planning for blood supply chain is a challenge which requires more attention. In this paper, we address a mixed integer linear programming model for blood supply chain network design (BSCND) with the need for making both strategic and tactical decisions throughout a multiple planning periods. A robust programming approach is devised to deal with inherent randomness in parameters data of the model. To illustrate the usefulness of the model as well as its solution approach, it is tested into a set of numerical examples, and the sensitivity analyses are conducted. Finally, we employ two criteria: the mean and standard deviation of constraint violations under a number of random realizations to evaluate the performance of both the proposed robust and deterministic models. The results imply the domination of robust approach over the deterministic one.


Masoud Rabbani, Zahra Mousavi,
Volume 30, Issue 1 (3-2019)
Abstract

In today's world, natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, crises such as terrorist attacks and protests threaten the lives of many people. Hence, in this research we present a mathematical modeling that provide efficient and effective model to locate temporary depot, equitable distribution of resources and movement of injured people to health centers, with the aim of developing the multi-objective model and considering multiple central depot, multiple temporary depot and several type of relief items in the model . This paper is considered certainty state and uncertainty of influencing parameters of the models in robust optimization for three different levels uncertainty and in different size with consideration of traditional goals function and humanitarian purposes functions simultaneously. The model has been solved with multi-objective Particle Swarm optimization algorithm (MOPSO) and GAMS software to validate the model. Some numerical examples are presented. In Addition, we present sensitivity analyzes of model and study the relationship of the number of temporary depot location and the number of injured people to move to health centers and the number of uncovered damaged points.


Nima Hamta, Samira Rabiee,
Volume 32, Issue 3 (9-2021)
Abstract

One of the challenging issues in today’s competitive world for servicing companies is uncertainty in some factors or parameters that they often derive from fluctuations of market price and other reasons. With regard to this subject, it would be essential to provide robust solutions in uncertain situations. This paper addresses an open vehicle routing problem with demand uncertainty and cost of vehicle uncertainty. Bertsimas and Sim’s method has been applied to deal with uncertainty in this paper. In addition, a deterministic model of open vehicle routing problem is developed to present a robust counterpart model. The deterministic and the robust model is solved by GAMS software. Then, the mean and standard deviations of obtained solutions were compared in different uncertainty levels in numerous numerical examples to investigate the performance of the developed robust model and deterministic model. The computational results show that the robust model has a better performance than the solutions obtained by the deterministic model.
 
Mohammad Reza Ghatreh Samani, Jafar Gheidar-Kheljani,
Volume 34, Issue 3 (9-2023)
Abstract

In this paper, a brief review of the recently developed blood supply chain (BSC) management studies is firstly presented. Then, a first-ever multi-objective robust BSC model is proposed, which is inspired by the need for an integrated approach towards improving the performance of BSC networks under uncertain conditions. The network efficiency by minimizing cost, adequacy by providing reliable and sufficient blood supply, and effectiveness by controlling blood freshness are aimed at the proposed model. A two-phase approach based on robust programming and an augmented epsilon-constraint method is devised to model the uncertainty in parameters and provides a single-objective counterpart of the original multi-objective robust model. We investigate a case to illustrate the real-world applicability of the problem. The research comes to an end by performing some sensitivity analyses on critical parameters, and the results imply the capability of the model and its solution technique.

Hamed Nozari, Maryam Rahmaty,
Volume 34, Issue 4 (12-2023)
Abstract

In this paper, the modeling of a make-to-order problem considering the order queue system under the robust fuzzy programming method is discussed. Considering the importance of timely delivery of ideal demand, a four-level model of suppliers, production centers, distribution centers, and customers has been designed to reduce total costs. Due to the uncertainty of transportation costs and ideal demand, the robust fuzzy programming method is used to control the model. The analysis of different sample problems with the League Championship Algorithm (LCA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and Salp Swarm Algorithm (SSA) methods shows that with the increase in the uncertainty rate, the amount of ideal demand has increased, and this has led to an increase in total costs. On the other hand, with the increase of the stability coefficients of the model, contrary to the reduction of the shortage costs, the total costs of the model have increased due to transportation. Also, the analysis showed that with the increase in the number of servers in the production and distribution centers, the average waiting time for customers' order queues has decreased. By reducing the waiting time, the total delivery time of customer demand decreases, and the amount of actual demand increases. On the other hand, due to the lack of significant difference between the Objective Function Value (OBF) averages among the solution methods, they were prioritized, and SSA was recognized as an efficient algorithm. By implementing the model in a real case study in Iran for electronic components, it was observed that 4 areas of the Tehran metropolis (8-18-16-22) were selected as actual distribution centers. Also, the costs of the whole model were investigated in the case study and the results show the high efficiency of the solution methods in solving the make-to-order supply chain problem. 

Ali Salmasnia, Elahe Heydarnezhad, Hadi Mokhtari,
Volume 35, Issue 2 (6-2024)
Abstract

Abstract. One of the important problems in managing construction projects is selecting the best alternative for activities' execution to minimize the project's total cost and time. However, uncertain factors often have negative effects on activity duration and cost. Therefore, it is crucial to develop robust approaches for construction project scheduling to minimize sensitivity to disruptive noise factors. Additionally, existing methods in the literature rarely focus on environmentally conscious construction management. Achieving these goals requires incorporating the project scheduling problem with multiple objectives. This study proposes a robust optimization approach to determine the optimal construction operations in a project scheduling problem, considering time, cost, and environmental impacts (TCE) as objectives. An analytical algorithm based on Benders decomposition is suggested to address the robust problem, taking into account the inherent uncertainty in activity time and cost. To evaluate the performance of the proposed solution approach, a computational study is conducted using real construction project data. The case study is based on the wall of the east coast of Amirabad port in Iran. The results obtained using the suggested solution approach are compared to those of the CPLEX solver, demonstrating the appropriate performance of the proposed approach in optimizing the time, cost, and environment trade-off problem.

Khamiss Cheikh, El Mostapha Boudi, Hamza Mokhliss, Rabi Rabi,
Volume 35, Issue 3 (9-2024)
Abstract

Maintenance plan efficacy traditionally prioritizes long-term predicted maintenance cost rates, emphasizing performance-centric approaches. However, such criteria often neglect the fluctuation in maintenance costs over renewal cycles, posing challenges from a risk management perspective. This study challenges conventional solutions by integrating both performance and robustness considerations to offer more suitable maintenance options.
The study evaluates two representative maintenance approaches: a block replacement strategy and a periodic inspection and replacement strategy. It introduces novel metrics to assess these approaches, including long-term expected maintenance cost rate as a performance metric and variance of maintenance cost per renewal cycle as a robustness metric.
Mathematical models based on the homogeneous Gamma degradation process and probability theory are employed to quantify these strategies. Comparative analysis reveals that while higher-performing strategies may demonstrate cost efficiency over the long term, they also entail greater risk due to potential cost variability across renewal cycles.
The study underscores the necessity for a comprehensive evaluation that balances performance and resilience in maintenance decision-making. By leveraging the Monte Carlo Method, this research offers a critical appraisal of maintenance strategies, aiming to enhance decision-making frameworks with insights that integrate performance and robustness considerations.


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