Operational Research Commons^™

Simulated Annealing Heuristics For The Dynamic Generalized Quadratic Assignment Problem, Yugesh Dhungel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Dynamic Generalized Quadratic Assignment Problem (DGQAP) is the task of assigning a set of facilities to a set of locations in a multi-period planning horizon such that the sum of the transportation and assignment/reassignment costs is minimized. The facilities may have different space requirements, and the capacities of locations may vary during the multiple-period planning horizon. Also, multiple facilities may be assigned to each location without violating the space capacity of the location. This research presents a formulation and applications of DGQAP in various layout and assignment problems encountered in the literature. Two Simulated Annealing (SA) metaheuristics named SA …

Sampling-Based Algorithms For Two-Stage Stochastic Programs And Applications, Siavash Tabrizian

Operations Research and Engineering Management Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, we present novel sampling-based algorithms for solving two-stage stochastic programming problems. Sampling-based methods provide an efficient approach to solving large-scale stochastic programs where uncertainty is possibly defined on continuous support. When sampling-based methods are employed, the process is usually viewed in two steps - sampling and optimization. When these two steps are performed in sequence, the overall process can be computationally very expensive. In this dissertation, we utilize the framework of internal-sampling where sampling and optimization steps are performed concurrently. The dissertation comprises of two parts. In the first part, we design a new sampling technique for …

Deep Multi-Modal U-Net Fusion Methodology Of Infrared And Ultrasonic Images For Porosity Detection In Additive Manufacturing, Christian E. Zamiela

Theses and Dissertations

We developed a deep fusion methodology of non-destructive (NDT) in-situ infrared and ex- situ ultrasonic images for localization of porosity detection without compromising the integrity of printed components that aims to improve the Laser-based additive manufacturing (LBAM) process. A core challenge with LBAM is that lack of fusion between successive layers of printed metal can lead to porosity and abnormalities in the printed component. We developed a sensor fusion U-Net methodology that fills the gap in fusing in-situ thermal images with ex-situ ultrasonic images by employing a U-Net Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for feature extraction and two-dimensional object localization. We …

Process Improvement Of Honeysuckle Biscuits And Bakery, Jevon Franklin, Kaela Bellamy, Manuel Quintal, Suheyl Polat

Senior Design Project For Engineers

Honeysuckle Biscuits and Bakery is a locally owned restaurant in Downtown Kennesaw, Georgia. Mitch and Lori Phillips, the owners, opened the restaurant in 2018. The restaurant serves breakfast (with biscuits as its specialty), lunch, coffee, desserts, and specialty cakes. As the business is beginning to outgrow itself, the project manager, Kaela Bellamy, felt it was a need to look at how to best accommodate the growing demand within the new space.

Intelligent Computer System For Enhancing Value Engineering Implementation In The Egyptian Construction Industry, Hazem M. El-Senoussi

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Genetic Algorithm For Production Scheduling, Mary El-Mallakh

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

An Algorithm For Biobjective Mixed Integer Quadratic Programs, Pubudu Jayasekara Merenchige

All Dissertations

Multiobjective quadratic programs (MOQPs) are appealing since convex quadratic programs have elegant mathematical properties and model important applications. Adding mixed-integer variables extends their applicability while the resulting programs become global optimization problems. Thus, in this work, we develop a branch and bound (BB) algorithm for solving biobjective mixed-integer quadratic programs (BOMIQPs). An algorithm of this type does not exist in the literature.

The algorithm relies on five fundamental components of the BB scheme: calculating an initial set of efficient solutions with associated Pareto points, solving node problems, fathoming, branching, and set dominance. Considering the properties of the Pareto set of …

Assessment Of Leadership Styles And Lean Six Sigma Critical Success Factors In The Aerospace And Defense Industry, Corey Gellis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

The Aerospace and Defense industry has shifted into a global competitive market that is prioritizing innovative advancements in technological capabilities. Corporations are now having to further develop customer focused strategies based in adding value while reducing costs. Large manufacturing corporations often embrace continuous improvement methodologies, such as Lean Six Sigma, for process improvement. Many organizations have received minimal benefit from the methodology which may link back to leadership and culture. This research examined which styles of leadership are most effective when trying to gain the most value from Lean Six Sigma within manufacturing. The research study surveyed 112 black belt …

Combat Assessment For The Simulation Of Warfare, Benjamin L. Finch

Theses and Dissertations

Military assessment seeks to answer two primary questions: "are we creating the effects that we desire?" and "are we accomplishing tasks to standard?" This thesis steps through several desirable characteristics for a simulated combat assessment methodology. After developing a value hierarchy from these characteristics, this thesis provides and evaluates several candidate methodologies for use within a combat simulation. Each alternative's evaluation is informed by its application to a small combat simulation. Upon recommending the use of Linear Programming, we utilize value-focused thinking to modify this alternative. The thesis terminates with some conclusory thoughts and ideas for future research.

Lean Application: An Assessment Of 5s On Employee Attitudes And Productivity, Nickolaos Dimitrios Karvounis

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

This study examines the effect of the implementation of 5S on employee attitudes and productivity in an Asian based facility of a global manufacturing company. Utilizing an assessment of the 5S implementation in various areas of the facility and organizational performance data for each of those areas, a non-experimental, causal comparative approach is used to analyze the impact. The study concluded that statistically significant improvements from the implementation of 5S were found both in quality and product cost for this facility; however, the study also found statistical significance where the implementation of 5S led to a decrease in performance and …

Development Of Metaheuristic Algorithms For The Efficient Allocation Of Power Flow Control Devices, Eduardo Jose Castillo Fatule

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Modern energy grids have become extremely complex systems, requiring more variable and active flow control. As a remedy to this, Distributed Flexible AC Transmission Systems (D-FACTS) are cost-efficient devices used to mitigate power flow congestion and integrate renewable energies. The objective of this research is then to propose an efficient multiple objective evolutionary algorithm to solve a stochastic model for D-FACTS allocation, which aims to optimize various objectives related to cost, grid health, and environmental impacts. The model was implemented on a modified RTS-96 test system, and the results show that optimally allocating D-FACTS modules using the proposed model can …

Using Custom Ner Models To Extract Dod Specific Entities From Contracts, Kayla P. Haberstich

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Sustainment Center collected 3.7 million contracts onto the Air Force Research Laboratory’s high power computers. They are in the format of a .pdf or scanned document, making them unstructured data. The Data Analytics Resource Team extracted the documents into a textual format for use in further analysis. This thesis looks to extract four DOD specific entities (NSN, Part Number, CAGE Code, and Supplier Name) from the contracts using custom NER models. This newly extracted information will allow the Air Force to identify what parts are supplied by which vendors. This information along with historical CLIN pricing for …

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 …

Statistical Modeling, Learning And Computing For Stochastic Dynamics Of Complex Systems, Mohammadmahdi Hajiha

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

With the recent advances in sensor technology, it is much easier to collect and store streams of system operational and environmental (SOE) data. These data can be used as input to model the underlying behavior of complex engineered systems and phenomenons if appropriate algorithms with well-defined assumptions are developed. This dissertation is comprised of the research work to show the applicability of SOE data when fed into proposed tailored algorithms. The first purposes of these algorithms are to estimate and analyze the reliability of a system as elaborated in Chapter 2. This chapter provides the derivation of closed-form expressions that …

The Factors Influencing The Acceptance Of Web-Based E-Learning System Among Academic Staffs Of Saudi Arabia, Ikhlas Zamzami

Future Computing and Informatics Journal

It is possible to learn more quickly and effectively with e-learning software development because it provides learners with convenient and flexible learning environments. This allows them to progress further in their careers. Reports on web-based e-learning systems for in-service education have frequently neglected to include the viewpoint of the instructor. In order to conduct quantitative research, a sample of 50 academic staff members was selected. The purpose of this study was to investigate various factors that influence the intention to use web-based e-learning, with the theoretical foundation being provided by university lecturers. According to the findings of the study, the …

Theory And Algorithms For Systems Optimization, Vahid Mahmoodian

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents four sets of contributions in the field of theory and algorithms for system optimization. In the first set, we introduce a simulation optimization method for redistributing bikes in a free-floating bike sharing system. The second set of contributions is a framework for batching queries in large databases to optimize the data retrieval time. The third set includes two branch-and-bound algorithms to solve minimum multiplicative programming problems and one branch-and-bound algorithm to solve the maximum form of the mentioned problems. At last, the fourth set presents an approach to fairlyassign delivery tasks in an outsourcing last-mile delivery system …

Optimization In The Application Of Varnishes Barrier On Cartonboard Packaging, Andre Ramalheiro De Andrade, Maria Isabel Rodrigues Phd, Eduardo Luiz Machado Phd

Journal of Applied Packaging Research

In this work adjustments in the rotogravure printing process are proposed to the varnish water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) aiming to obtain results smaller than 20g/m²/24h. One case study was used for the propositions for improvements, where focused on varnish application process in a gravure printer for an eight-printing unit cartonboard packaging, maximum printing speed of 175 m/min and a 285 g/m² weight cartonboard. The possible variables that influenced the WVTR result were selected from the technical expertise of the people involved in the project, the analysis in the printing process with the application of directed trials using experimental designs …

Enterprise Resource Allocation For Intruder Detection And Interception, Adam B. Haywood

Theses and Dissertations

This research considers the problem of an intruder attempting to traverse a defender's territory in which the defender locates and employs disparate sets of resources to lower the probability of a successful intrusion. The research is conducted in the form of three related research components. The first component examines the problem in which the defender subdivides their territory into spatial stages and knows the plan of intrusion. Alternative resource-probability modeling techniques as well as variable bounding techniques are examined to improve the convergence of global solvers for this nonlinear, nonconvex optimization problem. The second component studies a similar problem but …

Deep Learning For Weather Clustering And Forecasting, Nathaniel R. Beveridge

Theses and Dissertations

Clustering weather data is a valuable endeavor in multiple respects. The results can be used in various ways within a larger weather prediction framework or could simply serve as an analytical tool for characterizing climatic differences of a particular region of interest. This research proposes a methodology for clustering geographic locations based on the similarity in shape of their temperature time series over a long time horizon of approximately 11 months. To this end an emerging and powerful class of clustering techniques that leverages deep learning, called deep representation clustering (DRC), are utilized. Moreover, a time series specific DRC algorithm …

New Methods In Wavelet Analysis For Applications Of The Wavelet Transform, Jeffrey D. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

A commonality in the many applications and domains where signal processing (SP)is applied is the detection of events. Detection in SP requires the identification of the occurrence of an event, within a signal, and distinguishing the occurrence from no event. In a classical application of SP, seismologists seek to detect abnormalities in an electromagnetic (EM) signal to detect or not detect the occurrence of an earthquake, represented as an anomalous EM pulse. Since many signals are noisy, such as those produced by a seismograph, it can be challenging to distinguish a significant EM pulse from incident noise. In SP, smoothing …