Multi-objective optimization of hybrid backorder inventory model

This paper addresses inventory problem for the products that are sold in monopolistic and captive markets experiencing hybrid backorder (i.e., fixed backorder and time-weighted backorder). The problem with stochastic demand is studied first by developing single objective (cost) inventory model. Computational results of a numerical problem show the effectiveness of hybrid backorder inventory model over fixed backorder inventory model. The model is later extended to multi-objective inventory model. Three objectives of multi-objective inventory model are the minimization of total cost, minimization of stockout units and minimization of the frequency of stockout. A multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm is used to solve the inventory model and generate Pareto curves. The Pareto curves obtained for hybrid backorder inventory model are compared with the existing Pareto curves that are based on fixed backorder. The results show a substantial reduction in stockout units and frequency of stockout with a marginal rise in cost with proposed hybrid backorder inventory system in comparison to existing fixed backorder inventory system. Sensitivity analysis is done to study the robustness of total cost, order quantity, and safety stock factor with the change in holding cost. In the end, the performance of the MOPSO algorithm is compared with the multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA). The metrics that are used for the performance measurement of the algorithms are error ratio, spacing and maximum spread.     

结合批量问题的多目标矩形件优化排样

设计多目标启发式进化算法,研究了一种考虑批量问题的二维矩形件排样问题,建立了含有原材料成本最小化和零件库存成本最小化的多目标优化模型。先用启发式算法初始化下料方式,再用改进的快速非支配排序算法进行优化求解,确定下料方案。通过实验结果以及与其他算法的对比表明,在中等规模的矩形件排样问题中,该算法能够在较快的时间内既保证较高的原料利用率,又能降低该问题的总成本,证明了该算法的有效性。     

差分进化算法在模糊多资源约束联合补货模型中的应用

本文用三角模糊数表示不确定的资金约束,用梯形模糊数表示不确定的存储空间约束,构建了模糊规划联合补货模型,目标函数为最小化订货成本、库存持有成本和运输成本,决策变量为基本补充周期和每种产品的补充周期。通过对变异算子与选择操作进行变化,设计了改进的差分进化算法对模型进行求解,并通过实例证实了模型与算法的科学合理性。     

费用与资源约束双重模糊下的联合采购模型——基于差分进化算法的研究*

针对复杂不确定环境下的联合采购决策难题,用三角模糊数表示不确定的次要订货费用、库存持有费用和资金约束条件,用梯形模糊数表示不确定的存储空间约束,构建了模糊联合采购模型,并采用两种方法对模糊总成本进行去模糊化处理。进而在对差分进化(DE)算法改进并借助典型函数测试性能的基础上,给出了基于改进DE的模糊联合采购模型求解流程,算例证明所设计的DE算法能较好地解决模糊联合采购问题。     

Advanced backtracking search optimization algorithm for a new joint replenishment problem under trade credit with grouping constraint

In the real business situation, suppliers usually provide retailers with forward financing to decrease inventory or increase demand. Moreover, some heterogeneous goods are not allowed to transport together, or a penalty cost is incurred when heterogeneous goods are transported at the same time. This research proposes a practical multi-item joint replenishment problem (JRP) by considering trade credit and grouping constraint in accordance with the practical situation. The JRP aims to find reasonable item replenishment frequencies and each group’s basic replenishment cycle time so that the overall cost can be minimized. Four intelligent algorithms, which include an advanced backtracking search optimization algorithm (ABSA), genetic algorithm (GA), differential evolution (DE) and backtracking search optimization algorithm (BSA), are provided to solve this problem. Findings of contrastive example verify that ABSA is superior to GA, DE, and BSA, which have been validated to be effective algorithms. Randomly generated problems are used to test the performance of ABSA. Results indicate ABSA is more effective and stable to resolve the proposed JRP than the other algorithms. ABSA is a good solution for the proposed JRP with heterogeneous items under trade credits.     

A hybrid vendor managed inventory and redundancy allocation optimization problem in supply chain management: An NSGA-II with tuned parameters

In this research, a bi-objective vendor managed inventory model in a supply chain with one vendor (producer) and several retailers is developed, in which determination of the optimal numbers of different machines that work in series to produce a single item is considered. While the demand rates of the retailers are deterministic and known, the constraints are the total budget, required storage space, vendor's total replenishment frequencies, and average inventory. In addition to production and holding costs of the vendor along with the ordering and holding costs of the retailers, the transportation cost of delivering the item to the retailers is also considered in the total chain cost. The aim is to find the order size, the replenishment frequency of the retailers, the optimal traveling tour from the vendor to retailers, and the number of machines so as the total chain cost is minimized while the system reliability of producing the item is maximized. Since the developed model of the problem is NP-hard, the multi-objective meta-heuristic optimization algorithm of non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) is proposed to solve the problem. Besides, since no benchmark is available in the literature to verify and validate the results obtained, a non-dominated ranking genetic algorithm (NRGA) is suggested to solve the problem as well. The parameters of both algorithms are first calibrated using the Taguchi approach. Then, the performances of the two algorithms are compared in terms of some multi-objective performance measures. Moreover, a local searcher, named simulated annealing (SA), is used to improve NSGA-II. For further validation, the Pareto fronts are compared to lower and upper bounds obtained using a genetic algorithm employed to solve two single-objective problems separately.     

Bi-objective reliable location-inventory-routing problem with partial backordering under disruption risks: A modified AMOSA approach

In this paper, we present a reliable model of multi-product and multi-period Location-Inventory-Routing Problem (LIRP) considering disruption risks. An inventory system with stochastic demand in which the supply of the product is randomly disrupted in distribution centers, is considered in this paper. Partial backordering is used in case stock out occurs by considering the probability of the confronting defects in distribution centers in time of disruption. We presented a bi-objective mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model. The first objective minimizes the locating, routing and transportation costs and inventory components which consist of ordering, holding and partial backordering costs. The second objective is to minimize the total failure costs related to disrupted distribution centers that leads to reliability of the supply chain network. Because of NP-hardness of the proposed model, we modified Archived Multi-Objective Simulated Annealing (AMOSA) meta-heuristic algorithm to solve the bi-objective problem in large scales and compared the results with three other algorithms. To improve performance of the algorithms Taguchi method is used to tune parameters. Finally, several numerical examples are generated to evaluate solution methods and five multi-objective metrics are calculated to compare results of the algorithms.     

Optimizing a bi-objective multi-product EPQ model with defective items,rework and limited orders: NSGA-II and MOPSO algorithms

In this paper, a bi-objective multi-products economic production quantity (EPQ) model is developed, in which the number of orders is limited and imperfect items that are re-workable are produced. The objectives of the problem are minimization of the total inventory costs as well as minimizing the required warehouse space. The model is shown to be of a bi-objective nonlinear programming type, and in order to solve it two meta-heuristic algorithms namely, the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) and multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm, are proposed. To verify the solution obtained and to evaluate the performance of proposed algorithms, two-sample t-tests are employed to compare the means of the first objective value, the means of the second objective values, and the mean required CPU time of solving the problem using two algorithms. The results show while both algorithms are efficient to solve the model and the solution qualities of the two algorithms do not differ significantly, the computational CPU time of MOPSO is considerably lower than that of NSGA-II.     

A sensitivity analysis of solving joint replenishment problems using the RAND method under inaccurate holding cost estimates and demand forecasts

This paper presents a study of solving the joint replenishment problem (JRP) by using the RAND method, a heuristic approach that has been proven to find almost as good as optimal solutions, under uncertain customer demands and inaccurate unit holding cost estimation. The classical JRP deals with the issue of determining a replenishment policy that minimizes the total cost of replenishing multiple products from a single supplier. The total cost considered in the JRP consists of a major ordering cost independent of the number of items in the order, a minor ordering cost depending on the items in the order, and the holding cost. There have been many heuristic approaches proposed for solving the JRP. Most of the research work was done under the assumptions that the demand for each item type and the unit holding cost are known and constant. However, in the real world accurately forecasting customer demands and precisely estimating the unit holding cost are both difficult. Besides, the real values of the demands and the unit holding cost may change over the replenishment horizon. The present study addresses the issue of the uncertain demands and the unit holding cost to the JRP and investigates how misestimates of these demands and holding costs may influence the replenishment policy as determined by the famous JRP heuristic, the RAND method.     

The economic lot scheduling problem in limited-buffer flexible flow shops: Mathematical models and a discrete fruit fly algorithm

This paper considers the lot scheduling problem in the flexible flow shop with limited intermediate buffers to minimize total cost which includes the inventory holding and setup costs. The single available mathematical model by Akrami et al. (2006) for this problem suffers from not only being non-linear but also high size-complexity. In this paper, two new mixed integer linear programming models are developed for the problem. Moreover, a fruit fly optimization algorithm is developed to effectively solve the large problems. For model’s evaluation, this paper experimentally compares the proposed models with the available model. Moreover, the proposed algorithm is also evaluated by comparing with two well-known algorithms (tabu search and genetic algorithm) in the literature and adaption of three recent algorithms for the flexible flow shop problem. All the results and analyses show the high performance of the proposed mathematical models as well as fruit fly optimization algorithm.     

A differential evolution algorithm for joint replenishment problem using direct grouping and its application

There has been much work in establishing joint replenishment model and designing effective and robust algorithms. Little research has been done by direct grouping methods. In this paper, we present a differential evolution (DE) algorithm that uses direct grouping to solve joint replenishment problem (JRP). Extensive computational experiments are performed to compare the performances of the DE algorithm with results of evolutionary algorithm (GA). The experimental results indicate that the DE algorithm can find a replenishment policy that incurs a lower total cost than the GA. We also conducted a case study to test the proposed DE algorithm for the JRP. The findings suggest that the proposed model is successful in decreasing spare parts ordering costs and holding costs significantly in a power plant.     

基于灰色综合关联分析的多目标优化方法

针对现有多目标优化方法存在的搜索性能弱、效率低等问题,提出一种基于灰色综合关联分析的多目标优化方法.该多目标优化方法采用单目标优化算法构建高质量的参考序列,计算参考序列与优化解的目标函数值序列之间的灰色综合关联度,定义基于灰色综合关联度的解支配关系准则,将灰色综合关联度作为多目标优化算法的适应度值.以带顺序相关调整时间的多目标流水车间调度问题作为应用对象,建立总生产成本、最大完工时间、平均流程时间及机器平均闲置时间的多目标函数优化模型.提出基于灰色关联分析的多目标烟花算法,对所建立的多目标优化模型进行优化求解.仿真实验表明,所提出多目标烟花算法的性能优于3种基于不同多目标优化方法的烟花算法及两种经典多目标算法,验证了所提出的多目标优化方法及多目标算法的可行性和有效性.     

Multi-objective GA with fuzzy decision making for security enhancement in power system

Power system security enhancement is a major concern in the operation of power system. In this paper, the task of security enhancement is formulated as a multi-objective optimization problem with minimization of fuel cost and minimization of FACTS device investment cost as objectives. Generator active power, generator bus voltage magnitude and the reactance of Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitors (TCSC) are taken as the decision variables. The probable locations of TCSC are pre-selected based on the values of Line Overload Sensitivity Index (LOSI) calculated for each branch in the system. Multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) is applied to solve this security optimization problem. In the proposed GA, the decision variables are represented as floating point numbers in the GA population. The MOGA emphasize non-dominated solutions and simultaneously maintains diversity in the non-dominated solutions. A fuzzy set theory-based approach is employed to obtain the best compromise solution over the trade-off curve. The proposed approach has been evaluated on the IEEE 30-bus and IEEE 118-bus test systems. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach for solving the multi-objective security enhancement problem.     

A multi-objective model for facility location–allocation problem with immobile servers within queuing framework

This research investigates a practical bi-objective model for the facility location–allocation (BOFLA) problem with immobile servers and stochastic demand within the M/M/1/K queue system. The first goal of the research is to develop a mathematical model in which customers and service providers are considered as perspectives. The objectives of the developed model are minimization of the total cost of server provider and minimization of the total time of customers. This model has different real world applications, including locating bank automated teller machines (ATMs), different types of vendor machines, etc. For solving the model, two popular multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEA) of the literature are implemented. The first algorithm is non-dominated sorted genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) and the second one is non-dominated ranked genetic algorithm (NRGA). Moreover, to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms, some numerical examples are presented and analyzed statistically. The results indicate that the proposed algorithms provide an effective means to solve the problems.     

Multi-objective optimal power flow using quasi-oppositional teaching learning based optimization

This paper describes teaching learning based optimization (TLBO) algorithm to solve multi-objective optimal power flow (MOOPF) problems while satisfying various operational constraints. To improve the convergence speed and quality of solution, quasi-oppositional based learning (QOBL) is incorporated in original TLBO algorithm. The proposed quasi-oppositional teaching learning based optimization (QOTLBO) approach is implemented on IEEE 30-bus system, Indian utility 62-bus system and IEEE 118-bus system to solve four different single objectives, namely fuel cost minimization, system power loss minimization and voltage stability index minimization and emission minimization; three bi-objectives optimization namely minimization of fuel cost and transmission loss; minimization of fuel cost and L-index and minimization of fuel cost and emission and one tri-objective optimization namely fuel cost, minimization of transmission losses and improvement of voltage stability simultaneously. In this article, the results obtained using the QOTLBO algorithm, is comparable with those of TLBO and other algorithms reported in the literature. The numerical results demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed approach to generate true and well-distributed Pareto optimal non-dominated solutions of the multi-objective OPF problem. The simulation results also show that the proposed approach produces better quality of the individual as well as compromising solutions than other algorithms.     

Two new meta-heuristics for a bi-objective supply chain scheduling problem in flow-shop environment

In this study, an integrated multi-objective production-distribution flow-shop scheduling problem will be taken into consideration with respect to two objective functions. The first objective function aims to minimize total weighted tardiness and make-span and the second objective function aims to minimize the summation of total weighted earliness, total weighted number of tardy jobs, inventory costs and total delivery costs. Firstly, a mathematical model is proposed for this problem. After that, two new meta-heuristic algorithms are developed in order to solve the problem. The first algorithm (HCMOPSO), is a multi-objective particle swarm optimization combined with a heuristic mutation operator, Gaussian membership function and a chaotic sequence and the second algorithm (HBNSGA-II), is a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II with a heuristic criterion for generation of initial population and a heuristic crossover operator. The proposed HCMOPSO and HBNSGA-II are tested and compared with a Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II), a Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) and two state-of-the-art algorithms from recent researches, by means of several comparing criteria. The computational experiments demonstrate the outperformance of the proposed HCMOPSO and HBNSGA-II.     

A multi-objective hyper-heuristic based on choice function

Hyper-heuristics are emerging methodologies that perform a search over the space of heuristics in an attempt to solve difficult computational optimization problems. We present a learning selection choice function based hyper-heuristic to solve multi-objective optimization problems. This high level approach controls and combines the strengths of three well-known multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (i.e. NSGAII, SPEA2 and MOGA), utilizing them as the low level heuristics. The performance of the proposed learning hyper-heuristic is investigated on the Walking Fish Group test suite which is a common benchmark for multi-objective optimization. Additionally, the proposed hyper-heuristic is applied to the vehicle crashworthiness design problem as a real-world multi-objective problem. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the hyper-heuristic approach when compared to the performance of each low level heuristic run on its own, as well as being compared to other approaches including an adaptive multi-method search, namely AMALGAM.     

一种基于Pareto最优概念和神经网络混合策略的多目标进化算法

基于Pareto最优的多目标进化算法得到了广泛地应用,但不适用于目标函数为非解析式的情况。基于神经网络和Pareto最优的联合策略,提出了一种解决此类问题的新方法：首先采用神经网络对历史数据进行学习,建立有效的神经网络模型来代替目标函数解析式;然后将神经网络模型嵌入多目标进化算法,进行进化计算;最后,将本文方法应用于卷烟配方比例掺配问题。实验结果表明,该方法优于传统方法,能较好地解决问题。     

A genetic algorithm for solving the fixed-charge transportation model: Two-stage problem

Transportation of goods in a supply chain from plants to customers through distribution centers (DCs) is modeled as a two-stage distribution problem in the literature. In this paper we propose genetic algorithms to solve a two-stage transportation problem with two different scenarios. The first scenario considers the per-unit transportation cost and the fixed cost associated with a route, coupled with unlimited capacity at every DC. The second scenario considers the opening cost of a distribution center, per-unit transportation cost from a given plant to a given DC and the per-unit transportation cost from the DC to a customer. Subsequently, an attempt is made to represent the two-stage fixed-charge transportation problem (Scenario-1) as a single-stage fixed-charge transportation problem and solve the resulting problem using our genetic algorithm. Many benchmark problem instances are solved using the proposed genetic algorithms and performances of these algorithms are compared with the respective best existing algorithms for the two scenarios. The results from computational experiments show that the proposed algorithms yield better solutions than the respective best existing algorithms for the two scenarios under consideration.     

A soft computing-based approach to optimise queuing-inventory control problem

In this paper, a multi-product continuous review inventory control problem within batch arrival queuing approach (M^Qr/M/1) is developed to find the optimal quantities of maximum inventory. The objective function is to minimise summation of ordering, holding and shortage costs under warehouse space, service level and expected lost-sales shortage cost constraints from retailer and warehouse viewpoints. Since the proposed model is Non-deterministic Polynomial-time hard, an efficient imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA) is proposed to solve the model. To justify proposed ICA, both ganetic algorithm and simulated annealing algorithm are utilised. In order to determine the best value of algorithm parameters that result in a better solution, a fine-tuning procedure is executed. Finally, the performance of the proposed ICA is analysed using some numerical illustrations.