Iranian Journal Of Operations Research
Volume:2 Issue: 2, Summer and Autumn 2011

We consider the maximal covering location-allocation problem with multiple servers. The objective is to maximize the population covered, subject to constraints on the number of service centers, total number of servers in all centers, and the average waiting time at each center. Each center operates as an M/M/k queuing system with variable number of servers. The total costs of establishing centers and locating servers should not exceed a predetermined amount. We present a mathematical model for the problem, and propose a heuristic solution procedure with two local search algorithms for improving the solutions. Finally, some computational results are presented.

A novel optimal single machine replacement policy using a single as well as a two-stage decision making process is proposed based on the quality of items produced. In a stage of this policy, if the number of defective items in a sample of produced items is more than an upper threshold, the machine is replaced. However, the machine is not replaced if the number of defective items is less than a lower threshold. Nonetheless, when the number of defective item falls between the upper and the lower thresholds, the decision making process continues inspecting and possibly repairing the machine and the decision making process goes on to collect more samples. The primary objective of own work is to determine the optimal values of both the upper and the lower thresholds using a Markov process to minimize the total cost associated with a machine replacement policy.

Semidefinite optimization relaxations are among the widely used approaches to find global optimal or approximate solutions for many nonconvex problems. Here, we consider a specific quadratically constrained quadratic problem with an additional linear constraint. We prove that under certain conditions the semidefinite relaxation approach enables us to find a global optimal solution of the underlying problem in polynomial time.

fuzzy goal programming-based approach is used to solve a proposed multi-objective linear programming model and simultaneously handle two important problems in cellular manufacturing systems, viz. cell formation and layout design. Considerations of intra-cell layout, the intra-cell material handling can be calculated exactly. The advantages of the proposed model are considering machining cost, inter-cell, intra-cell (forward and backward) material handling, operation sequence and resource constraints on the capacity of machines. To illustrate applicability of the proposed model, an example is solved and computational results are noted.

We discuss the effects of inflation and time discounting on an EOQ model for deteriorating items under stock-dependent demand and time-dependent partial backlogging. The inventory model is studied under the replenishment policy starting with no shortages. We then use MATLAB to find the optimal replenishment policies. The objective of this model is to maximize the total profit (TP) which includes the sales revenue, purchase cost, the set up cost, holding cost, shortage cost and opportunity cost due to lost sales. Analytical results are given to justify the model. Finally, numerical examples are presented to determine the developed model and the solution procedure. Sensitivity analysis of the optimal solution with respect to major parameters is carried out. We propose a solution procedure to find the solution and obtain some managerial results by using sensitivity analysis.

We describe a hybrid meta-heuristic algorithm for combinatorial optimization problems with a specific reference to the travelling salesman problem (TSP). The method is a combination of a genetic algorithm (GA) and greedy randomized adaptive search procedure (GRASP). A new adaptive fuzzy a greedy search operator is developed for this hybrid method. Computational experiments using a wide range of standard benchmark problems indicate that the proposed hybrid meta-heuristic approach is very efficient.

We consider the two well knownminimax and minisum single facility location problems in the plane which has been divided into two regions, and by a straight line. The two regions are measured by various norms. We focus on three special cases in which the regions and are measured by and norms, and block norms, two distinct block norms. Based on the properties of block norms then we use linear or almost linear problems in different cases to achieve the optimal solution.