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1 – 10 of over 1000
Article
Publication date: 6 November 2017

Masoud Seyed Sakha and Hamid Reza Shaker

One of the fundamental problems in control systems engineering is the problem of sensors and actuators placement. Decisions in this context play a key role in the success of…

Abstract

Purpose

One of the fundamental problems in control systems engineering is the problem of sensors and actuators placement. Decisions in this context play a key role in the success of control process. The methods developed for optimal placement of the sensors and actuators are known to be computationally expensive. The computational burden is significant, in particular, for large-scale systems. The purpose of this paper is to improve and extend the state-of-the-art methods within this field.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a new technique is developed for placing sensor and actuator in large-scale systems by using restricted genetic algorithm (RGA). RGA is a kind of genetic algorithm which is developed specifically for sensors and actuator placement.

Findings

Unlike its other counterparts, the proposed method not only supports unstable systems but also requires significantly lower computations. The numerical investigations have confirmed the advantages of the proposed methods which are clearly significant, in particular, in dealing with large-scale unstable systems.

Originality/value

The proposed method is novel, and compared to the methods which have already been presented in literature is more general and numerically more efficient.

Article
Publication date: 3 November 2014

John H Drake, Matthew Hyde, Khaled Ibrahim and Ender Ozcan

Hyper-heuristics are a class of high-level search techniques which operate on a search space of heuristics rather than directly on a search space of solutions. The purpose of this…

Abstract

Purpose

Hyper-heuristics are a class of high-level search techniques which operate on a search space of heuristics rather than directly on a search space of solutions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the suitability of using genetic programming as a hyper-heuristic methodology to generate constructive heuristics to solve the multidimensional 0-1 knapsack problem

Design/methodology/approach

Early hyper-heuristics focused on selecting and applying a low-level heuristic at each stage of a search. Recent trends in hyper-heuristic research have led to a number of approaches being developed to automatically generate new heuristics from a set of heuristic components. A population of heuristics to rank knapsack items are trained on a subset of test problems and then applied to unseen instances.

Findings

The results over a set of standard benchmarks show that genetic programming can be used to generate constructive heuristics which yield human-competitive results.

Originality/value

In this work the authors show that genetic programming is suitable as a method to generate reusable constructive heuristics for the multidimensional 0-1 knapsack problem. This is classified as a hyper-heuristic approach as it operates on a search space of heuristics rather than a search space of solutions. To our knowledge, this is the first time in the literature a GP hyper-heuristic has been used to solve the multidimensional 0-1 knapsack problem. The results suggest that using GP to evolve ranking mechanisms merits further future research effort.

Article
Publication date: 13 February 2024

Wenqi Mao, Kexin Ran, Ting-Kwei Wang, Anyuan Yu, Hongyue Lv and Jieh-Haur Chen

Although extensive research has been conducted on precast production, irregular component loading constraints have received little attention, resulting in limitations for…

Abstract

Purpose

Although extensive research has been conducted on precast production, irregular component loading constraints have received little attention, resulting in limitations for transportation cost optimization. Traditional irregular component loading methods are based on past performance, which frequently wastes vehicle space. Additionally, real-time road conditions, precast component assembly times, and delivery vehicle waiting times due to equipment constraints at the construction site affect transportation time and overall transportation costs. Therefore, this paper aims to provide an optimization model for Just-In-Time (JIT) delivery of precast components considering 3D loading constraints, real-time road conditions and assembly time.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to propose a JIT (just-in-time) delivery optimization model, the effects of the sizes of irregular precast components, the assembly time, and the loading methods are considered in the 3D loading constraint model. In addition, for JIT delivery, incorporating real-time road conditions in the transportation process is essential to mitigate delays in the delivery of precast components. The 3D precast component loading problem is solved by using a hybrid genetic algorithm which mixes the genetic algorithm and the simulated annealing algorithm.

Findings

A real case study was used to validate the JIT delivery optimization model. The results indicated this study contributes to the optimization of strategies for loading irregular precast components and the reduction of transportation costs by 5.38%.

Originality/value

This study establishes a JIT delivery optimization model with the aim of reducing transportation costs by considering 3D loading constraints, real-time road conditions and assembly time. The irregular precast component is simplified into 3D bounding box and loaded with three-space division heuristic packing algorithm. In addition, the hybrid algorithm mixing the genetic algorithm and the simulated annealing algorithm is to solve the 3D container loading problem, which provides both global search capability and the ability to perform local searching. The JIT delivery optimization model can provide decision-makers with a more comprehensive and economical strategy for loading and transporting irregular precast components.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2002

Laura Núñez‐Letamendia

Outlines the development of genetic algorithms (GA), explains how they generate solutions to problems and applies four GA models incorporating different factors (e.g. risk…

Abstract

Outlines the development of genetic algorithms (GA), explains how they generate solutions to problems and applies four GA models incorporating different factors (e.g. risk, transaction costs etc.) to financial investment strategies. Uses 1987‐1996 share price data from the Madrid Stock Exchange (Spain) and a buy‐and‐hold strategy in the IBEX‐35 index as a benchmark. Shows that all four GA models generat superior daily returns of long positions with lower risk; and discusses the variations between them in detail.

Details

Managerial Finance, vol. 28 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4358

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 May 2021

Mohammad Khalilzadeh

This study aims to develop a mathematical programming model for preemptive multi-mode resource-constrained project scheduling problems in construction with the objective of…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to develop a mathematical programming model for preemptive multi-mode resource-constrained project scheduling problems in construction with the objective of levelling resources considering renewable and non-renewable resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model was solved by the exact method and the genetic algorithm integrated with the solution modification procedure coded with MATLAB software. The Taguchi method was applied for setting the parameters of the genetic algorithm. Different numerical examples were used to show the validation of the proposed model and the capability of the genetic algorithm in solving large-sized problems. In addition, the sensitivity analysis of two parameters, including resource factor and order strength, was conducted to investigate their impact on computational time.

Findings

The results showed that preemptive activities obtained better results than non-preemptive activities. In addition, the validity of the genetic algorithm was evaluated by comparing its solutions to the ones of the exact methods. Although the exact method could not find the optimal solution for large-scale problems, the genetic algorithm obtained close to optimal solutions within a short computational time. Moreover, the findings demonstrated that the genetic algorithm was capable of achieving optimal solutions for small-sized problems. The proposed model assists construction project practitioners with developing a realistic project schedule to better estimate the project completion time and minimize fluctuations in resource usage during the entire project horizon.

Originality/value

There has been no study considering the interruption of multi-mode activities with fluctuations in resource usage over an entire project horizon. In this regard, fluctuations in resource consumption are an important issue that needs the attention of project planners.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. 20 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2002

Ralf Östermark

In the paper we design a super genetic hybrid algorithm (SuperGHA), an integrated optimization system for simultaneous parametric search and nonlinear optimization. The parametric…

Abstract

In the paper we design a super genetic hybrid algorithm (SuperGHA), an integrated optimization system for simultaneous parametric search and nonlinear optimization. The parametric search machine is implemented as a genetic superstructure, producing tentative parameter vectors that control the ultimate optimization process. The family of parameter vectors evolves through ordinary genetic operators aimed at producing the best possible parameterization for the underlying optimization problem. In comparison to traditional genetic algorithms, the integrated superstructure involves a twofold ordering of the population of parameter vectors. The first sorting key is provided by the objective function of the optimization problem at issue. The second key is given by the total mesh time absorbed by the parametric setting. In consequence, SuperGHA is geared at solving an optimization problem, using the best feasible parameterization in terms of optimality and time absorbance. The algorithm combines features from classical nonlinear optimization methodology and evolutionary computation utilizing a powerful accelerator technique. The constrained problem can be cast into multiple representations, supporting the integration of different mathematical programming environments. We show by extensive Monte Carlo simulations that SuperGHA extracts suitable parameter vectors for fast solution of complicated nonlinear programming problems.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 31 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1998

Keith C.C. Chan, Patrick C.L. Hui, K.W. Yeung and Frency S.F. Ng

Assembly line balancing problems that occur in real world situations are dynamic and are fraught with various sources of uncertainties such as the performance of workers and the…

1836

Abstract

Assembly line balancing problems that occur in real world situations are dynamic and are fraught with various sources of uncertainties such as the performance of workers and the breakdown of machinery. This is especially true in the clothing industry. The problem cannot normally be solved deterministically using existing techniques. Recent advances in computing technology, especially in the area of computational intelligence, however, can be used to alleviate this problem. For example, some techniques in this area can be used to restrict the search space in a combinatorial problem, thus opening up the possibility of obtaining better results. Among the different computational intelligence techniques, genetic algorithms (GA) is particularly suitable. GAs are probabilistic search methods that employ a search technique based on ideas from natural genetics and evolutionary principles. In this paper, we present the details of a GA and discuss the main characteristics of an assembly line balancing problem that is typical in the clothing industry. We explain how such problems can be formulated for genetic algorithms to solve. To evaluate the appropriateness of the technique, we have carried out some experiments. Our results show that the GA approach performs much better than the use of a greedy algorithm, which is used by many factory supervisors to tackle the assembly line balancing problem.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 February 2017

Jalel Euchi

In this paper, the author introduces a new variant of the pickup and delivery transportation problem, where one commodity is collected from many pickup locations to be delivered…

Abstract

Purpose

In this paper, the author introduces a new variant of the pickup and delivery transportation problem, where one commodity is collected from many pickup locations to be delivered to many delivery locations within pre-specified time windows (one–to many–to many). The author denotes to this new variant as the 1-commodity pickup-and-delivery vehicle routing problem with soft time windows (1-PDVRPTW).

Design/methodology/approach

The author proposes a hybrid genetic algorithm and a scatter search to solve the 1-PDVRPTW. It proposes a new constructive heuristic to generate the initial population solution and a scatter search (SS) after the crossover and mutation operators as a local search. The hybrid genetic scatter search replaces two steps in SS with crossover and mutation, respectively.

Findings

So, the author proposes a greedy local search algorithm as a metaheuristic to solve the 1-PDVRPTW. Then, the author proposes to hybridize the metaheuristic to solve this variant and to make a good comparison with solutions presented in the literature.

Originality/value

The author considers that this is the first application in one commodity. The solution methodology based on scatter search method combines a set of diverse and high-quality candidate solutions by considering the weights and constraints of each solution.

Details

Journal of Modelling in Management, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5664

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 February 2019

Behzad Karimi, Amir Hossein Niknamfar, Babak Hassan Gavyar, Majid Barzegar and Ali Mohtashami

Today’s, supply chain production and distribution of products to improve the customer satisfaction in the shortest possible time by paying the minimum cost, has become the most…

Abstract

Purpose

Today’s, supply chain production and distribution of products to improve the customer satisfaction in the shortest possible time by paying the minimum cost, has become the most important challenge in global market. On the other hand, minimizing the total cost of the transportation and distribution is one of the critical items for companies. To handle this challenge, this paper aims to present a multi-objective multi-facility model of green closed-loop supply chain (GCLSC) under uncertain environment. In this model, the proposed GCLSC considers three classes in case of the leading chain and three classes in terms of the recursive chain. The objectives are to maximize the total profit of the GCLSC, satisfaction of demand, the satisfactions of the customers and getting to the proper cost of the consumers, distribution centers and recursive centers.

Design/methodology/approach

Then, this model is designed by considering several products under several periods regarding the recovery possibility of products. Finally, to evaluate the proposed model, several numerical examples are randomly designed and then solved using non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm and non-dominated ranking genetic algorithm. Then, they are ranked by TOPSIS along with analytical hierarchy process so-called analytic hierarchy process-technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (AHP-TOPSIS).

Findings

The results indicated that non-dominated ranked genetic algorithm (NRGA) algorithm outperforms non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) algorithm in terms of computation times. However, in other metrics, any significant difference was not seen. At the end, to rank the algorithms, a multi-criterion decision technique was used. The obtained results of this method indicated that NSGA-II had better performance than ones obtained by NRGA.

Originality/value

This study is motivated by the need of integrating the leading supply chain and retrogressive supply chain. In short, the highlights of the differences of this research with the mentioned studies are as follows: developing multi-objective multi-facility model of fuzzy GCLSC under uncertain environment and integrating the leading supply chain and retrogressive supply chain.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 39 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 January 2022

Leila Hashemi, Armin Mahmoodi, Milad Jasemi, Richard C. Millar and Jeremy Laliberté

In the present research, location and routing problems, as well as the supply chain, which includes manufacturers, distributor candidate sites and retailers, are explored. The…

Abstract

Purpose

In the present research, location and routing problems, as well as the supply chain, which includes manufacturers, distributor candidate sites and retailers, are explored. The goal of addressing the issue is to reduce delivery times and system costs for retailers so that routing and distributor location may be determined.

Design/methodology/approach

By adding certain unique criteria and limits, the issue becomes more realistic. Customers expect simultaneous deliveries and pickups, and retail service start times have soft and hard time windows. Transportation expenses, noncompliance with the soft time window, distributor construction, vehicle purchase or leasing, and manufacturing costs are all part of the system costs. The problem's conceptual model is developed and modeled first, and then General Algebraic Modeling System software (GAMS) and Multiple Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) and non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGAII) algorithms are used to solve it in small dimensions.

Findings

According to the mathematical model's solution, the average error of the two suggested methods, in contrast to the exact answer, is less than 0.7%. In addition, the performance of algorithms in terms of deviation from the GAMS exact solution is pretty satisfactory, with a divergence of 0.4% for the biggest problem (N = 100). As a result, NSGAII is shown to be superior to MOSPSO.

Research limitations/implications

Since this paper deals with two bi-objective models, the priorities of decision-makers in selecting the best solution were not taken into account, and each of the objective functions was given an equal weight based on the weighting procedures. The model has not been compared or studied in both robust and deterministic modes. This is because, with the exception of the variable that indicates traffic mode uncertainty, all variables are deterministic, and the uncertainty character of demand in each level of the supply chain is ignored.

Practical implications

The suggested model's conclusions are useful for any group of decision-makers concerned with optimizing production patterns at any level. The employment of a diverse fleet of delivery vehicles, as well as the use of stochastic optimization techniques to define the time windows, demonstrates how successful distribution networks are in lowering operational costs.

Originality/value

According to a multi-objective model in a three-echelon supply chain, this research fills in the gaps in the link between routing and location choices in a realistic manner, taking into account the actual restrictions of a distribution network. The model may reduce the uncertainty in vehicle performance while choosing a refueling strategy or dealing with diverse traffic scenarios, bringing it closer to certainty. In addition, two modified MOPSO and NSGA-II algorithms are presented for solving the model, with the results compared to the exact GAMS approach for medium- and small-sized problems.

Details

International Journal of Intelligent Computing and Cybernetics, vol. 15 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-378X

Keywords

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