Engineering Commons^™

Operations Research In Civil And Environmental Engineering, Nicholas Lownes

Open Educational Resource

The purpose of this text is introduce fundamental operations research techniques to the civil and/or environmental engineering student, providing a broad background in linear programming, integer programming and network optimization. The material is presented in such a manner so that the student does not need an extensive background in operations research or or linear algebra. Applications include transportation engineering, project management and general civil and environmental engineering applications.

Optimizing Strategic Planning With Long-Term Sequential Decision Making Under Uncertainty: A Decomposition Approach, Zeyu Liu

Doctoral Dissertations

The operations research literature has seen decision-making methods at both strategic and operational levels, where high-level strategic plans are first devised, followed by long-term policies that guide future day-to-day operations under uncertainties. Current literature studies such problems on a case-by-case basis, without a unified approach. In this study, we investigate the joint optimization of strategic and operational decisions from a methodological perspective, by proposing a generic two-stage long-term strategic stochastic decision-making (LSSD) framework, in which the first stage models strategic decisions with linear programming (LP), and the second stage models operational decisions with Markov decision processes (MDP). The joint optimization …

Bugs Buy Steady Releases From Hydropower Producers To Encourage More Synergistic Reservoir Management, Moazzam Ali Rind

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Hydropower generated from dams has significant economic value, however, that value is achieved at the cost of native ecosystem devastation. Here, we have estimated loss in hydropower revenue due to inclusion of the steady low flow days –Bug Flow Experiments. We developed a linear optimization model and constraint method that restrict the number of steady low flow days while maximizes the hydropower revenue generation. The results suggested that increase in release volume will benefit both the objectives (win-win scenario), energy price differential between on-and off-peak periods controls the position and shape of tradeoff curves, and offset release does not have …

Park Equity Modeling: A Case Study Of Asheville, North Carolina, Anisa Young

All Theses

Parks and greenspaces are publicly available entities that serve the vital purpose of promoting multiple aspects of human welfare. Unfortunately, the existence of park disparities is commonplace within the park setting. Specifically, marginalized individuals encounter limited park access, insufficient amenity provision, and poor maintenance. To remedy these disparities, we propose a process in which we select candidate park facilities and utilize facility location models to determine the optimal primary parks from both existing and candidate sites.

We note that platforms currently exist to identify the geographical areas where residents lack sufficient access to parks. However, these platforms do not yet …

A New Approach To Career Field Matching For Commissioning Air Force Cadets, Daniel Griffen Laird

Theses and Dissertations

The current method of assigning graduating cadets from the United States Air Force Academy and Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) detachments to their career fields uses an integer programming model to maximize \global" Air Force utility, subject to several Air Force-defined constraints. This utility evaluates the positive benefit of assigning a certain cadet to a certain career field. This paper discusses the issues with such a model, as well as presents a new, more refined approach to the problem. Rather than provide a one-size-fits-all formulation of this particular assignment problem, a Value-Focused Thinking (VFT) framework is applied, in conjunction with …

Optimal Aircraft Maneuvering Models For Cruise Missile Engagement: A Modeling And Computational Study, Izaiah G. Laduke

Theses and Dissertations

Given the increased threat and proliferation of adversary military capabilities, this research seeks to develop reasonably accurate and computationally tractable models to optimally maneuver aircraft to intercept cruise missile attacks. The research leveraged mathematical programming to model the problem, informed by constraints representing a system of (temporal) difference equations. The research began by comparing six models having alternative representations of velocity and acceleration constraints while analyzing situations with stationary targets. The Multiple Aircraft, Multiple Stationary Target Engagement Problem with Box Constraint Bounds (MAMSTEP-BC) Model yielded superior overall performance and was further analyzed through alternative mathematical programming model enhancements to create …

The Cyber Wargame Commodity Course Of Action Automated Analysis Method, Alex Hoffendahl

Theses and Dissertations

In the modern operational landscape, strategic decisions are made and executed, under uncertain conditions, with many potential constraints and limited information. The end goal of these decisions is to minimize and mitigate the effect of adversarial threats, which may or may not act in line with previous assumptions. Wargaming is a powerful tool that allows for the practical implementation of theoretical knowledge into real-world scenarios, enhancing decision-makers critical thinking and problem solving skills. Furthermore, including cyber-effects in a wargame leads to a broader decision scope for an entire operation. This research aims to enhance the analytical capabilities and overall usability …

Investigation Of Variable Switching Frequency In Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control On Grid-Connected Inverters, Luocheng Wang, Tiefu Zhao, Jiangbiao He

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Finite control set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) has been widely studied and applied to the power converters and motor drives. It provides the power electronics system with fast dynamic response, nonlinear system formulation, and flexible objectives and constraints integration. However, its variable switching frequency feature also induces severe concerns on the power loss, the thermal profile, and the filter design. Stemming from these concerns, this article investigates the variable switching frequency characteristics of FCS-MPC on the grid-connected inverters. An intuitive relationship between the switching frequency and the magnitude of the converter output voltage is proposed through the geometry analysis, where …

Optimal Coordination Of Directional Overcurrent Relay Based On Combination Ofimproved Particle Swarm Optimization And Linear Programming Consideringmultiple Characteristics Curve, Suzana Pil Ramli, Hazlie Mokhlis, Wei Ru Wong, Munir Azam Muhammad, Nurulafiqah Nadzirah Mansor, Muhamad Hatta Hussain

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Optimal coordination of directional over-current relays (DOCRs) is a crucial task in ensuring the security and reliability of power system network. In this paper, a hybridization of an improved particle swarm optimization and linear programming (IPSO-LP) is proposed to solve DOCRs coordination problem. The considered decision variables in the optimization are plug setting current, time multiplier setting, type of relay, and type of curve. By considering these parameters in the optimization, the best relay operating time can be determined. Furthermore, the proposed technique also considered the continuous values of pick-up current setting (PSC) and time setting multiplier (TMS). Test on …

A Linear Programming Approach To Multiple Instance Learning, Emel Şeyma Küçükaşci, Mustafa Gökçe Baydoğan, Zeki̇ Caner Taşkin

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Multiple instance learning (MIL) aims to classify objects with complex structures and covers a wide range of real-world data mining applications. In MIL, objects are represented by a bag of instances instead of a single instance, and class labels are provided only for the bags. Some of the earlier MIL methods focus on solving MIL problem under the standard MIL assumption, which requires at least one positive instance in positive bags and all remaining instances are negative. This study proposes a linear programming framework to learn instance level contributions to bag label without emposing the standart assumption. Each instance of …

Short Term Energy Forecasting For A Microgird Load Using Lstm Rnn, Akhil Soman

Masters Theses

Decentralization of the electric grid can increase resiliency (during natural disasters) and can reduce T&D energy losses and emissions. Microgrids and DERs can enable this to happen. It is important to optimally control microgrids and DERs to extract the greatest economic, environmental and resiliency benefits. This is enabled by robust forecasting to optimally control loads and energy sources. An integral part of microgrid control is power side and load side demand forecasting.

In this thesis, we look at the ability of a powerful neural network algorithm to forecast the load side demand for a microgrid using the UMass campus as …

Modeling And Simulation On Railway Bulk Oil Transit Operations, Jingheng Ma, Xingchang Liu, Youhong Fan, Kang Jin

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: The railway bulk oil transit operation is a hybrid (discrete/continuous) system because of the main body of the continuous flow oil and a variety of discrete events. According to the system’s characteristics of complex process, great difficulty, high risk, the oil transit operation model was established based on discrete rate simulation and system’s continuity, predict events, emergencies were analyzed. The model was converted into linear programming, the effective rate was calculated under constraints, and the operation process and event scheduling was simulated. It was verified that the model is feasible. By obtaining the dynamic behavior and real-time data, its …

Study On Optimization Of Loading Plan In Car Carrier Of Vehicle Logistics Transportation, Qin Liang, Zhicheng Wang, Meng Lei, Deru Deng, Zhiyun Zou, Xijie Gai, Yuqing Guo, Wenqiang Feng

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: The car carrier load transportation allocation problem is a typical problem in vehicle logistics. In order to improve the efficiency of transport and reduce the cost, this problem was studied by adopted hypothetical data and requirements. All the load combinations whose utilization factor of the length of sweeping board is more than 95% established a matrix. Then the dynamic programming obtained the number of car carrier to the corresponding loading plan. By using the exhaustion method, through computer simulation, loading plan of each layer of car carrier was randomly produced, strictly meeting the loading requirements of each car at …

Fire Reconstruction Method Based On Les And Linear Programming, Guangyao Yao, Peizhong Yang, Tan Xun

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: A method based on LES and linear programming was proposed for the numerical construction of fire accident. In the simulation with LES method, all the quantities were decomposed into large-scale components and small-scale components. For large-scale components, the direct simulation method was used. For small-scale components, the subgrid model was used. The LES method could improve the simulation accuracy. In the linear programming method, the parameters were locally linearized to solve the optimization problem. It could improve the simulation efficiency. The method was applied to the numerical reconstruction of a wholesale market fire in Shanghai. The spread of fire …

Project Management Assignment Tool Using R And Shiny, Ben Stewart, Hoseok Jung, Moses Rawar

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

Linear programs such as the R markdown language play an important role in helping to find an optimized solution in various fields of society. This area extends from the optimal distribution channels of coffee shops, which are closely related to our lives, to very important areas such as the deployment of military forces. Through this paper, we will try to find ways to maximize the efficiency and performance of a company by properly allocating project managers suitable for the projects performed by each company according to their capabilities and the requirements of the projects.

Optimization Model For Project Manager Assignments, Neeti Verma, Poonam Ganoskar, Pallavi Gusain, Thanvi Vemulapally, Sai Kalyan, Bala Krishnamoorthy, Sai Kalyan Krishna Gali

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

The main objective of every project in an organization is to maximize its profit. This maximization of profit can be achieved through proper allocation of project managers to projects in an organization. But assigning a project to a project manager is still considered a difficult issue and is not yet fully addressed in the literature. However, in high-tech industries various project assignment methodologies are used to assign project managers to multiple projects and reassignment during new-product development projects. The aim of the optimization model created in this project is to develop a framework for project assignments to project managers including …

Coordinated Charging Of Electric Vehicles Including Customer Options For Slow Orfast Charging, Swapna Ganapaneni, Srinivasa Varma Pinni

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Transportation system electrification in the world decreases the gasoline consumption that leads to increase in usage of number of plug in electric vehicles (PEVs). PEV is a bidirectional resource which, while playing the role of a resource, poses challenges in its management. These vehicles are to be charged at a residential standard outlet or in a corporate car charging station. This paper mainly aims to maximize the benefits of a customer who comes to a charging station for charging their vehicle. An incentive-based cost mechanism is introduced to optimally schedule the vehicles; this mechanism minimizes the overall charging cost, considers …

A Random Subspace Based Conic Functions Ensemble Classifier, Emre Çi̇men

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Classifiers overfit when the data dimensionality ratio to the number of samples is high in a dataset. This problem makes a classification model unreliable. When the overfitting problem occurs, one can achieve high accuracy in the training; however, test accuracy occurs significantly less than training accuracy. The random subspace method is a practical approach to overcome the overfitting problem. In random subspace methods, the classification algorithm selects a random subset of the features and trains a classifier function trained with the selected features. The classification algorithm repeats the process multiple times, and eventually obtains an ensemble of classifier functions. Conic …

A Multi-Agent Demand Response Planning And Operational Optimization Framework, Alireza Fallahi

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering Dissertations

This research describes a real-time optimization model for multi-agent demand response (DR) from a Load Serving Entity (LSE) perspective. We formulate two infinite horizon stochastic optimization models; specifically, an LSE model and a dynamic pricing customer model. The objective of these models is to minimize long-term cost and discomfort penalty of the LSE and dynamic pricing customers. We solve a deterministic finite horizon linear program as an approximation of the suggested stochastic model and provide computational experiments. In stochastic programming (SP), a wait-and-see solution is at least as good as an optimal policy. On the other hand, a policy that …

Maximum Coverage Capacitated Facility Location Problem With Range Constrained Drones, Darshan Chauhan, Avinash Unnikrishnan, Miguel Figliozzi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Given a set of demand and potential facility locations and a set of fully available charged drones, an agency seeks to locate a pre-specified number of capacitated facilities and assign drones to the located facilities to serve the demands. The facilities serve as drone launching sites for distributing the resources. Each drone makes several one-to-one trips from the facility location to the demand points and back until the battery range is met. The planning period is short-term and therefore the recharging of drone batteries is not considered. This paper presents an integer linear programming formulation with the objective of maximizing …

Interval Fuzzy Modeling Based On Minimizing-Norm On Approximation Error, Xiaoyong Liu, Zhonggang Xiong, Changguo Yan

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: As the obtained data in many practical applications tend to be uncertain or inaccurate, conventional modeling methods characterized by deterministic model for this type of data have become undesirable. Taking linear programming and TS fuzzy model and some ideas from norm minimization into consideration, a novel method identifying interval fuzzy model (INFUMO) consisting of upper and lower TS fuzzy model (referred to as f_U and f_L) has been studied. In order to solve INFUMO, optimization problems based on minimizing-norm with respect to approximation error corresponding to f_U and f_L are constructed. Finally, optimization problems …

Chaos Firefly Algorithm With Self-Adaptation Mutation Mechanism For Solving Large-Scale Economic Dispatch With Valve-Point Effects And Multiple Fuel Options, Yude Yang, Bori Wei, Hui Liu, Yiyi Zhang, Junhui Zhao, Emad Manla

Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science Faculty Publications

This paper presents a new metaheuristic optimization algorithm, the firefly algorithm (FA), and an enhanced version of it, called chaos mutation FA (CMFA), for solving power economic dispatch problems while considering various power constraints, such as valve-point effects, ramp rate limits, prohibited operating zones, and multiple generator fuel options. The algorithm is enhanced by adding a new mutation strategy using self-adaptation parameter selection while replacing the parameters with fixed values. The proposed algorithm is also enhanced by a self-adaptation mechanism that avoids challenges associated with tuning the algorithm parameters directed against characteristics of the optimization problem to be solved. The …

Minimizing Commute Distance For Small Groups: A Linear Programming Approach, Kevin Payne, Kritika Kumari, Levi Huddleston, Rabi Hassan

Engineering and Technology Management Student Projects

This paper aims to minimize total drive time between members and their respective group leader. Given a limit on group size and days available, how can a formulation of a group occur such that the sum of the total drive time is minimized. To accomplish this task a Linear Program (LP) is implemented that includes three sets of binary decisions variables summing to 4100 variables and a variety of constraints summing between 4200 and 4341 depending on the constraints enforced. For 200 members and 15 leaders the minimized average commuting time was found to be between 4.99 and 5.36 minutes …

Optimization Of Electricity Generation Schemes In The Java-Bali Grid System With Co2 Reduction Consideration, Farizal Farizal, Wenty Eka Septia, Amar Rachman, Nasruddin Nasruddin, Teuku Meurah Indra Mahlia

Makara Journal of Technology

This research considers the problem of reducing CO2 emissions from the Java-Bali power grid system that consists of a variety of power-generating plants: coal-fired, natural gas, oil, and renewable energy (PV, geothermal, hydroelectric, wind, and landfill gas). The problem is formulated as linear programming and solved using LINGO 10. The model was developed for a nation to meet a specified CO2 emission target. Two carbon dioxide mitigation options are considered in this study, i.e. fuel balancing and fuel switching. In order to reduce the CO2 emissions by 26% in 2021, State Electric Supply Company (PLN) has to generate up to …

Increasing Collegiate Flight Training Fleet Utilization Through The Use Of An Aircraft Assignment Algorithm, John H. Mott, Daniel Henao, Mitchell S. Hodgen, Darcy M. Bullock

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The operational efficiency of fleet aircraft employed for student flight training in collegiate aviation programs is strongly influenced by scheduling, among other factors. The average utilization rate for the fleet operated by the Purdue University School of Aviation and Transportation Systems was found to be 24% (Avery, 2014), and there is no data to suggest that that this rate is atypical in similar institutional programs. Mott and Bullock (2015) identified several means by which the utilization rate could be increased, and improvements in the dispatch and scheduling process were a key component of those recommendations. This article describes a scheduling …

The Impact Of Disabling Suspicious Node Communications On Network Lifetime In Wireless Ad Hoc Sensor Networks, Zeydi̇n Pala, Ni̇hat İnanç

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), the data observed by different nodes must be relayed safely to the base station over intermediate nodes. In the network environment, some sensor nodes can act suspiciously when they enter someone else's control or due to other equipment failure. Data packets that are sent through suspicious nodes may be randomly dropped or may be not delivered as desired. In this paper, we investigate the impact of disabling suspicious nodes communications on network lifetime through a linear programming framework. We build a mathematical programming framework and perform comprehensive numerical analysis. Our results show that the decrease …

Java Computer Animation For Effective Learning Of The Cholesky Algorithm With Transportation Engineering Applications, Ivan Makohon, Duc T. Nguyen, Mecit Cetin

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

In this paper, the well-known Cholesky Algorithm (for solving simultaneous linear equations, or SLE) is re-visited, with the ultimate goal of developing a simple, user-friendly, attractive, and useful Java Visualization and Animation Graphical User Inter-face (GUI) software as an additional teaching tool for students to learn the Cholesky factorization in a step-by-step fashion with computer voice and animation. A demo video of the Cholesky Decomposition (or factorization) animation and result can be viewed online from the website: http://www.lions.odu.edu/~imako001/cholesky/demo/index.html. The software tool developed from this work can be used for both students and their instructors not only to master this technical …

Effects Of Mica2-Based Discrete Energy Levels On The Lifetime Of Cooperation Neighbor Sensor Networks, Zeydi̇n Pala

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

using Mica2 mote discrete power levels on neighbor sensor network lifetime. We built a linear programming framework to qualify the cooperation of sensor networks using a discrete energy model in comparison to noncooperating networks. Our results showed that a wireless sensor neighbor network that uses a discrete radio model can be more energy efficient than a network that uses a nondiscrete energy model.

Engineering Optimization: Methods/Applications - Colorado State University, John Labadie

All ECSTATIC Materials

This course provides a comprehensive treatment of methods of optimization with focus on linear programming and its extensions, network flow optimization, integer programming, quadratic programming, and an introduction to nonlinear programming. The goal is to maintain a balance between theory, numerical computation, problem setup for solution by computer algorithms, and engineering applications. Course taught at Colorado State University.

Environmental Systems Analysis - Hong Kong University Of Science And Technology, Hong Kong, Ng Tze Ling

All ECSTATIC Materials

Undergraduate course in environmental systems analysis offered at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong in Fall 2015.