Engineering Commons^™

Drone Location And Scheduling Problems In Humanitarian Logistics., Zabih Ghelichi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly referred to as drones, are a promising technology for the last-mile delivery of medical and aid items in humanitarian logistics. In emergency scenarios, like disasters, where transportation networks are destroyed and people are stranded, drones can accelerate the delivery of urgently needed items, e.g., food and water, insulin shots and blood pressure pills, to those trapped in the disaster-affected areas. Drones can also provide logistics services in many non-emergency situations by delivering medical items, e.g., vaccine shots and lab specimens, to remote communities and hard-to-access locations. The contribution of using UAVs goes beyond merely having …

Interdependent Infrastructure Recovery Using Multilayered Networks And Optimization, Brigham A. Moore

Theses and Dissertations

Interdependent infrastructure recovery modeling and simulation are complicated due to various interdependent connections and complexities. Current efforts have identified both operational and restoration interdependency subtypes and coupling strategies that have not been integrated into one comprehensive model. This research presents a model which simultaneously integrates nine interdependency subtypes and four coupling strategies in a multi-objective format to provide the most tailorable and comprehensive network-based recovery model available. This research also created a defense-centric interdependent infrastructure database by modifying the existing CLARC database. This research then addressed assumptions regarding recovery work management in order to address the impact of work crew …

Multi-Objective Optimization Of Green Transportation Operations In Supply Chain Management, Nayera Elgharably

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Supply chain is the integration of manufacturing process where raw materials are converted into final products, then delivered to customers. Supply chains consists of two basic integrated process that interact together: (1) production and inventory and (2) distribution and logistics. Maximizing competitiveness and profitability are of the main goals of a supply chain. Accounting only for economic impacts as variable and fixed costs does not serve the main goal of the supply chain. Therefore, considering customer satisfaction measures in distribution models is essential in supply chain management. Models that addressed the three objectives simultaneously handled one of the objectives as …

Enabling The “Easy Button” For Broad, Parallel Optimization Of Functions Evaluated By Simulation, Andrew Gibson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Java Optimization by Simulation (JOBS) is presented: an open-source, object-oriented Java library designed to enable the study, research, and use of optimization for models evaluated by simulation. JOBS includes several novel design features that make it easy for a simulation modeler, without extensive expertise in optimization or parallel computation, to define an optimization model with deterministic and/or stochastic constraints, choose one or more metaheuristics to solve it and run, using massively parallel function evaluation to reduce wall-clock times.

JOBS is supported by a new language independent, application programming interface (API) for remote simulation model evaluation and a serverless computing environment …

Optimization Of Vaccine Supply Chains In Low- And Middle-Income Countries Utilizing Drones, Maximilian Kolter

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Despite tremendous efforts from governments and humanitarian organizations, millions of children in low- and low-middle-income countries (LICs and LMICs) are still excluded from the benefits of immunization. The vaccine distribution in LICs and LMICs is challenging for several reasons, such as limited cold chain capacities, vaccine wastage, uncertain demand, and lack of access to immunization services. A promising avenue to address these issues is the utilization of drones for vaccine delivery. Drones can fly at high speed on direct paths and could enable on-demand deliveries to mitigate limited storage capacities. Further, their independence of road networks could allow them reaching …

Yard Layout Optimization For General Cargo Terminal, Zhixiong Liu, Dong Yu, Chunjun Zhang

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: Yard layout is an important component of the port yard allocation decision which affects the cargo storage capacity and through capacity for the port yard. As to the general cargo yard, combined with the cargo type and the yard storage strategy, the yard layout optimization model for the general cargo terminal is presented based on the statistical analysis for the production data when the optimization aim is minimizing the total horizontal transport distance of the trailer. The yard layout optimization results are employed by the mathematical tool Gurobi for different storage strategies, and the yard layout optimization results are …

Optimizing Garbage Pick-Up In Wahoo, Ne, Andrew Pace

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This project seeks to optimize the garbage pickup routes of Roadrunner Transportation in Wahoo, Nebraska using operations research and optimization tools. Currently, the company has no formal procedure for determining these routes. Roadrunner Transportation would like to expand their operation and to do so in the most efficient manner. To determine efficient routes, the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem (CVRP) is applied, and a solution to this problem is obtained by implementing a simulated annealing heuristic algorithm. Results show that a total distance of approximately 70 miles can be obtained by this implementation using a small subset of the data provided …

Optimal Communication Structures For Concurrent Computing, Andrii Berdnikov

Doctoral Dissertations

This research focuses on communicative solvers that run concurrently and exchange information to improve performance. This “team of solvers” enables individual algorithms to communicate information regarding their progress and intermediate solutions, and allows them to synchronize memory structures with more “successful” counterparts. The result is that fewer nodes spend computational resources on “struggling” processes. The research is focused on optimization of communication structures that maximize algorithmic efficiency using the theoretical framework of Markov chains. Existing research addressing communication between the cooperative solvers on parallel systems lacks generality: Most studies consider a limited number of communication topologies and strategies, while the …

A Survey Of Edge Computing Resource Allocation And Task Scheduling Optimization, Wang Ling, Chuge Wu, Wenhui Fan

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: With the rapid development of Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile terminals, the concept of edge computing arises. By moving the computation and storage capacity to the edge of network, edge computing is able to deal with a large amount of data produced by IoT devices and the responsive request from IoT application. To improve the utility of edge resource, the quality of service and quality of user experience, resource allocation and task scheduling optimization problems under edge computing attract wide attention. It becomes more difficult due to the geographic separated and heterogeneous features of edge computing resource as …

Optimizing Cost And Performance Of Infrastrucure Alternatives At Contingency Bases In A Hub-And-Spoke Network, Kyle J. Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

Military contingency bases require substantial resources and funding sustain and are often not connected to an infrastructure grid. Infrastructure assets produce the required outputs for sustainment, but are often expensive and inefficient, producing a significant logistical burden. With the increasing near-peer threats of opposing military forces, there is a need for more self-sufficient contingency bases with alternatives that reduce resources usage and the cost of sustainment. Accordingly, the goal of this research is to develop an optimization model capable of selecting infrastructure alternative combinations that minimize the overall resource usage and cost of sustainment at the contingency base level.

Allocation Of Scarce Healthcare Resources In A Military Treatment Facility During A Pandemic: A Comparison Of Goal Programming And Portfolio Decision Analysis Methods, Donald B. Hale

Theses and Dissertations

In a pandemic, healthcare decisionmakers face the challenge of allocating critical, but scarce healthcare resources in a dynamic, uncertain environment. Their decisions will not only affect the patients coming to the hospital for treatment, but also the Military Treatment Facility's personnel responsible. The decisionmaker must decide how to allocate these resources to achieve multiple, conflicting objectives under multiple constraints. In response, we propose a methodology for the implementation of both Portfolio Decision Analysis and Goal Programming. The steps of this methodology provide a framework with which the decisionmaker can develop optimal allocation of resources. This framework was then applied to …

Waste Collection Routing Problem: A Mini-Review Of Recent Heuristic Approaches And Applications, Yun-Chia Liang, Vanny Minanda, Aldy Gunawan

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The waste collection routing problem (WCRP) can be defined as a problem of designing a route to serve all of the customers (represented as nodes) with the least total traveling time or distance, served by the least number of vehicles under specific constraints, such as vehicle capacity. The relevance of WCRP is rising due to its increased waste generation and all the challenges involved in its efficient disposal. This research provides a mini-review of the latest approaches and its application in the collection and routing of waste. Several metaheuristic algorithms are reviewed, such as ant colony optimization, simulated annealing, genetic …

Influence Of The Inherent Safety Principles On Quantitative Risk In Process Industry: Application Of Genetic Algorithm Process Optimization (Gapo), Mehdi Jahangiri, Abolfazl Moghadasi, Mojtaba Kamalinia, Farid Sadeghianjahromi, Sean Banaee

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Inherent safety (IS) refers to a set of measures that enhance the safety level of processes and equipment, rendering additional equipment and/or add-ons. The early design phase of processes is suited best for implementation of IS strategies as some of such strategies either are impossible to be implemented at the operation phase or substantially increase costs. The purpose of this study is to present a new approach called genetic algorithm process optimization (GAPO), by which processes can be made inherently safer even at the operation phase. This study simulates the IS principle, assessing its impact on quantitative risk and the …

Scheduling Allocation And Inventory Replenishment Problems Under Uncertainty: Applications In Managing Electric Vehicle And Drone Battery Swap Stations, Amin Asadi

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, motivated by electric vehicle (EV) and drone application growth, we propose novel optimization problems and solution techniques for managing the operations at EV and drone battery swap stations. In Chapter 2, we introduce a novel class of stochastic scheduling allocation and inventory replenishment problems (SAIRP), which determines the recharging, discharging, and replacement decisions at a swap station over time to maximize the expected total profit. We use Markov Decision Process (MDP) to model SAIRPs facing uncertain demands, varying costs, and battery degradation. Considering battery degradation is crucial as it relaxes the assumption that charging/discharging batteries do not …

Models And Solution Approaches For Integrated Student To School Assignment And School Bus Routing Problem Focusing On Special Needs Students, Azadeh Ansari

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This dissertation addresses the integrated problem of assigning students to schools and generating school bus routes particularly focusing on the special needs students is addressed. Special needs students generally require supplementary accommodations and must be picked up from and dropped off at their home addresses. This will increase the number of nodes in the network and therefore introduces additional complexities to the problems of assignment and routing for students. An integrated single objective mathematical model is first developed that simultaneously assigns the students to schools based on their needs and generates efficient bus routes to deliver the students to their …

ℓ-Ctp: Utilizing Multiple Agents To Find Efficient Routes In Disrupted Networks, Andrew Alseth

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Recent hurricane seasons have demonstrated the need for more effective methods of coping with flooding of roadways. A key complaint of logistics managers is the lack of knowledge when developing routes for vehicles attempting to navigate through areas which may be flooded. In particular, it can be difficult to re-route large vehicles upon encountering a flooded roadway. We utilize the Canadian Traveller’s Problem (CTP) to construct an online framework for utilizing multiple vehicles to discover low-cost paths through networks with failed edges unknown to one or more agents a priori. This thesis demonstrates the following results: first, we develop the …

Bullwhip Effect Of A Closed Leep Supply Chain With And Without Information Sharing Of Customer Demand, Jui-Hsin Hsu

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, companies have become interested in a closed-loop supply chain that is concerned with the recovery pipeline. The expenses of a company can be influenced by large inventories and backlogs due to the bullwhip effect in the supply chain. Previous literature has shown that the bullwhip effect can be decreased by a reverse supply chain. This paper develops a closed-loop supply chain including seven echelons for recovery of end-of-life products. The model considers the order-up-to inventory policy and the exponential smoothing forecasting with a trend method in the system to assist in determining the ordering quantities. The best …

Simulation Research On Armored Equipment Maintenance Support Resource Optimization, Huiqi Zhang, Chunliang Chen, Junyan Liu, Liu Shuai, Yongqing Zhang

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: Contraposing the problem of armored equipment maintenance resource computation and optimization, the armored equipment maintenance support process was analyzed. The armored equipment maintenance support process concept model and the mathematic model were constructed based on discrete system modeling theory; while the simulation model based on net discrete event was given in apply of Anylogic software. The armored equipment maintenance support task fulfilling degree, the resource utilization degree, and the mean maintenance time were got by simulation computation. As a result that maintenance support resource was evaluated based on index weight, and the optimized values of the maintenance support resource …

Cost Analysis Of Optimized Islanded Energy Systems In A Dispersed Air Base Conflict, Jay F. Pearson, Torrey J. Wagner, Justin D. Delorit

Faculty Publications

The United States Air Force has implemented a dispersed air base strategy to enhance mission effectiveness for near-peer conflicts. Asset dispersal places many smaller bases across a wide geographic area, which increases resupply requirements and logistical complexity. Hybrid energy systems reduce resupply requirements through sustainable, off-grid energy production. This paper presents a novel hybrid energy renewable delivery system (HERDS) model capable of (1) selecting the optimal hybrid energy system design that meets demand at the lowest net present cost and (2) optimizing the delivery of the selected system using existing Air Force cargo aircraft. The novelty of the model’s capabilities …

Quadratic Rational Trigonometric Spline Curves With Shape Controlling, Xinru Liu, Manman Wei, Shengjun Liu, Dangfu Yang

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: A new quadratic rational trigonometric spline curve with a shape parameter was proposed. The value control and the inflection-point control of the interpolation scheme were discussed in theory. And the optimal methods for calculating the desired inflection-points was proposed, by using optimization theory. Numerical experiments show the interpolation spline and the optimization method can be used in modeling design.

Adaptive Quick Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm Based On Opposition Learning, Xiaojian Yang, Yiwei Dong

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: On the basis of analyzing such shortcomings of the artificial bee colony algorithm (ABC) as slow convergence, low convergence precision and premature convergence, the opposition-learning adaptive quick artificial bee colony algorithm (OAQABC) was proposed. A new step size was proposed, which made the around food source parameter of quick artificial bee colony algorithm (QABC) adaptive, and combined the opposition-based learning to improve the employed bee phase. The experimental results show that OAQABC has better performance than basic ABC and QABC. Also the optimization performance of OAQABC is better than particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and Cuckoo Search (CS) algorithm …

Affinity Propagation Based Improved Group Search Optimizer Clustering Algorithm, Zhang Kang, Xingsheng Gu

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: The essence of clustering is an optimization problem. It can be solved by swarm intelligent algorithms which are the popular research area in recent years. A novel Group Search Optimizer (GSO) algorithm named Fast Global Group Search Optimizer (FGGSO) was proposed. FGGSO improved the individuals' updating strategies of GSO, adopting the campaign strategy, destruction-construction strategy and accelerating-jumping strategy. By this means, the proposed algorithm improved the global and local search capability of the original GSO. Furthermore, based on this FGGSO algorithm, a novel improved AP algorithm was proposed. On account of deficiency of AP clustering unable to deal with …

Least-Energy Maneuver Of Five-Link Manipulator Constrained Within Tunnel Space Using Direct Collocation, Xiuqiang Pan, Chengcai Mei, Junjie Chen

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: Optimal control and designs least-energy maneuver control laws for a five-linked manipulator were applied in order to carry out designated tasks in a confined space. Lagrange-Euler equation described the relationships between the actuators and system dynamics. Euler-Lagrange formulation indicates how optimization can be achieved when optimum occurs. Direct collocation method was introduced in order to solve this highly nonlinear dynamic optimal control problem. Simulations were done to exploit how the manipulator reacted to the constraint. In this study, the diameter of the cylindrical space was shrunken each time by 0.1 meters. The value of the cost function and …

Optimization Scheme Of Average Time For Finding Idle Channel In Cognitive Radio System, Qiao Pei, Liyuan Xiao, Yanyan Han, Gao Ling

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: In cognitive radio system, periodic spectrum sensing was taken by secondary users to prevent the interference to primary users. Supposed that there are many primary user channels, when the current primary user occupies channel, secondary users do spectrum handover. During spectrum handover, the time of finding an idle channel is a random variable. In order to speed up spectrum handover, the system used equal gain combining cooperative spectrum sensing to inspect an idle channel. This pattern optimized the sensing time of the single user channel, in order to get the best effect of the average time in finding idle …

Scheduling Problem Of Unidirectional Material Handling System With Short-Cut, Juntao Li, Kun Xia, Kise Hiroshi

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: Unidirectional circulation-type material handling system on a single loop with a shortcut is a typical and basic unit in a flexible manufacturing system or logistics system. It is widely used in semiconductor wafer fabrication system. Superposition efficiency of the basic unit often determines the one of the whole system. Different scheduling rules impact the interference between AGVs and then have an important effect on the efficiency of the whole system. To decrease the interference and improve performance of the system, a mathematical model of this system was made, analyzing this system by simulation and comparing the merits and …

Parameters Optimization For Variable Speed And Pitch Controller Of Wind Turbine Based On Bladed, Gao Feng, Wang Wei, Xinmei Ling

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: Due to nonlinearity and time-varying parameters of wind power system, its controller parameters are hard to be calculated and tuned during the process of design and optimization. The linear model which is suitable for parameters tuning was built through model linearization of Bladed and model reducing-order algorithm. The PI parameter was tuned with the IM-PSO (Immune Memory Particle Swarm Optimization). Moreover, the gain coefficient of optimal torque control and the gain divisor of adaptive PI pitch control conducted optimizing calculation based on the identification parameters of Bladed. A set of optimization method for variable speed and pitch controller …

Real-Time Control Method Of Hsss Based On Single Phrase Self Decoupling Strategy, Yingping Yi, Bogang Qu, Zhang Yang

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: Zero Crossing Detection (ZCD) and phase locked loop are widely applied in the real-time control. Compared the performances of ZCD, SSRF SPLL and DDSRF SPLL,a method named as Single Phase Self Decoupling SPLL (SPSD SPLL) for HSSS(Hybrid Solid State Switch) is proposed and the mathematical method and control methods are given. The control parameters were obtained by analyzing the steady and dynamic performance of SPSD SPLL. By establishing the real-time controlling models based on the above strategies and HSSS model in the MATLAB/Simulink, the simulation and optimization analysis results verified that the SPSD SPLL was well performed …

Study On Vacuum Dehydration Rate From Oil Based On T_S Fuzzy Identifying Model, Liu Ge, Bin Chen, Xianming Zhang

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: The process of vacuum dehydration from oil is time-varying, nonlinear, and difficult to be specified with mathematical methods. Takagi-Sugeno (T_S) fuzzy model of vacuum dehydration rate of oil purifier is proposed, which a method of applying Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering algorithm and using the least square method identifying the consequent parameters. The nonlinear mapping is set up from four influence factors (the initial water content, the vacuum pressure , the initial temperature and running time) to vacuum dehydration rate using the T_S fuzzy model. The simulation and experimental results show the T_S model reflects the laws of the influences …

Improved Particle Swarm Optimization Based On Lévy Flights, Rongyu Li, Wang Ying

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: The particle swarm optimization (PSO) has some demerits, such as relapsing into local extremum, slow convergence velocity and low convergence precision in the late evolutionary. The Lévy particle swarm optimization (Lévy PSO) was proposed. In the particle position updating formula, Lévy PSO eliminated the impact of speed on the convergence rate, and used Levy flight to change the direction of particle positions movement to prevent particles getting into local optimum value, and then using greedy strategy to update the evaluation and choose the best solution to obtain the global optimum. The experimental results show that Lévy PSO can effectively …

Goods Consumed During Transit In Split Delivery Vehicle Routing Problems: Modeling And Solution, Wenzhe Yang, Di Wang, Wei Pang, Ah-Hwee Tan, You Zhou

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

This article presents the modeling and solution of an extended type of split delivery vehicle routing problem (SDVRP). In SDVRP, the demands of customers need to be met by efficiently routing a given number of capacitated vehicles, wherein each customer may be served multiple times by more than one vehicle. Furthermore, in many real-world scenarios, consumption of vehicles en route is the same as the goods being delivered to customers, such as food, water and fuel in rescue or replenishment missions in harsh environments. Moreover, the consumption may also be in virtual forms, such as time spent in constrained tasks. …