Abstract
In this survey, we discuss the state of the art of robust combinatorial optimization under uncertain cost functions. We summarize complexity results presented in the literature for various underlying problems, with the aim of pointing out the connections between the different results and approaches, and with a special emphasis on the role of the chosen uncertainty sets. Moreover, we give an overview over exact solution methods for NP-hard cases. While mostly concentrating on the classical concept of strict robustness, we also cover more recent two-stage optimization paradigms.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adjiashvili D, Zenklusen R (2011) An s–t connection problem with adaptability. Discrete Appl Math 159(8):695–705
Adjiashvili D, Stiller S, Zenklusen R (2015) Bulk-robust combinatorial optimization. Math Program 149(1–2):361–390
Adjiashvili D, Bindewald V, Michaels D (2016) Robust assignments via ear decompositions and randomized rounding. In: Chatzigiannakis I, Mitzenmacher M, Rabani Y, Sangiorgi D (eds) 43rd international colloquium on automata, languages, and programming (ICALP 2016). Leibniz international proceedings in informatics (LIPIcs), vol 55. Schloss Dagstuhl–Leibniz-Zentrum fuer Informatik, Dagstuhl, Germany, pp. 71:1–71:14. https://doi.org/10.4230/LIPIcs.ICALP.2016.71
Adjiashvili D, Bindewald V, Michaels D (2017) Robust assignments with vulnerable nodes. Technical report. http://arxiv.org/abs/1703.06074
Aissi H, Bazgan C, Vanderpooten D (2005a) Approximation complexity of min–max (regret) versions of shortest path, spanning tree, and knapsack. In: Algorithms—ESA 2005. Lecture notes in computer science, vol 3669. Springer, Berlin, pp 862–873
Aissi H, Bazgan C, Vanderpooten D (2005b) Complexity of the min–max and min–max regret assignment problems. Oper Res Lett 33(6):634–640
Aissi H, Bazgan C, Vanderpooten D (2005c) Complexity of the min–max (regret) versions of cut problems. In: Algorithms and computation. Springer, Berlin, pp 789–798
Aissi H, Bazgan C, Vanderpooten D (2005d) Pseudo-polynomial algorithms for min–max and min–max regret problems. In: 5th international symposium on operations research and its applications (ISORA 2005), pp 171–178
Aissi H, Bazgan C, Vanderpooten D (2009) Min–max and min–max regret versions of combinatorial optimization problems: a survey. Eur J Oper Res 197(2):427–438
Álvarez-Miranda E, Ljubić I, Toth P (2013) A note on the Bertsimas & Sim algorithm for robust combinatorial optimization problems. 4OR 11(4):349–360. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10288-013-0231-6
Armon A, Zwick U (2006) Multicriteria global minimum cuts. Algorithmica 46(1):15–26
Atamtürk A (2006) Strong formulations of robust mixed 0–1 programming. Math Program 108:235–250
Atamtürk A, Narayanan V (2008) Polymatroids and mean-risk minimization in discrete optimization. Oper Res Lett 36(5):618–622
Atamtürk A, Zhang M (2007) Two-stage robust network flow and design under demand uncertainty. Oper Res 55(4):662–673
Averbakh I, Lebedev V (2004) Interval data minmax regret network optimization problems. Discrete Appl Math 138(3):289–301
Averbakh I, Lebedev V (2005) On the complexity of minmax regret linear programming. Eur J Oper Res 160(1):227–231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2003.07.007
Ayoub J, Poss M (2016) Decomposition for adjustable robust linear optimization subject to uncertainty polytope. Comput Manag Sci 13(2):219–239
Baumann F, Buchheim C, Ilyina A (2014) Lagrangean decomposition for mean–variance combinatorial optimization. In: Combinatorial optimization—third international symposium, ISCO 2014. lecture notes in computer science, vol 8596. Springer, Berlin, pp 62–74
Baumann F, Buchheim C, Ilyina A (2015) A Lagrangean decomposition approach for robust combinatorial optimization. Technical report, Optimization online
Ben-Tal A, Nemirovski A (1998) Robust convex optimization. Math Oper Res 23(4):769–805
Ben-Tal A, Nemirovski A (1999) Robust solutions of uncertain linear programs. Oper Res Lett 25(1):1–13
Ben-Tal A, Nemirovski A (2002) Robust optimization-methodology and applications. Math Program 92(3):453–480
Ben-Tal A, Goryashko A, Guslitzer E, Nemirovski A (2004) Adjustable robust solutions of uncertain linear programs. Math Program 99(2):351–376
Ben-Tal A, Golany B, Nemirovski A, Vial JP (2005) Retailer–supplier flexible commitments contracts: a robust optimization approach. Manuf Serv Oper Manag 7(3):248–271
Bertsimas D, Caramanis C (2010) Finite adaptability in multistage linear optimization. IEEE Trans Autom Control 55(12):2751–2766
Bertsimas D, Dunning I (2016) Multistage robust mixed-integer optimization with adaptive partitions. Oper Res 64(4):980–998
Bertsimas D, Georghiou A (2014) Binary decision rules for multistage adaptive mixed-integer optimization. Math Program 167:1–39
Bertsimas D, Georghiou A (2015) Design of near optimal decision rules in multistage adaptive mixed-integer optimization. Oper Res 63(3):610–627
Bertsimas D, Goyal V (2013) On the approximability of adjustable robust convex optimization under uncertainty. Math Methods Oper Res 77(3):323–343
Bertsimas D, Lubin IDM (2016) Reformulation versus cutting-planes for robust optimization. Comput Manag Sci 13(2):195–217
Bertsimas D, Sim M (2003) Robust discrete optimization and network flows. Math Program 98(1–3):49–71
Bertsimas D, Sim M (2004a) The price of robustness. Oper Res 52(1):35–53
Bertsimas D, Sim M (2004b) Robust discrete optimization under ellipsoidal uncertainty sets. Citeseer
Bertsimas D, Pachamanova D, Sim M (2004) Robust linear optimization under general norms. Oper Res Lett 32(6):510–516
Bertsimas D, Iancu DA, Parrilo PA (2010) Optimality of affine policies in multistage robust optimization. Math Oper Res 35(2):363–394
Bertsimas D, Brown DB, Caramanis C (2011) Theory and applications of robust optimization. SIAM Rev 53(3):464–501
Beyer HG, Sendhoff B (2007) Robust optimization—a comprehensive survey. Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 196(33):3190–3218
Billionnet A, Costa MC, Poirion PL (2014) 2-Stage robust MILP with continuous recourse variables. Discrete Appl Math 170:21–32
Buchheim C, Kurtz J (2016) Min–max–min robust combinatorial optimization subject to discrete uncertainty. Optimization online
Buchheim C, Kurtz J (2017) Min–max–min robust combinatorial optimization. Math Program 163(1):1–23
Buchheim C, De Santis M, Rinaldi F, Trieu L (2015) A Frank–Wolfe based branch-and-bound algorithm for mean-risk optimization. Technical report, Optimization online
Büsing C (2011) Recoverable robustness in combinatorial optimization. Ph.D. thesis, Technical University of Berlin
Büsing C (2012) Recoverable robust shortest path problems. Networks 59(1):181–189
Büsing C, D’Andreagiovanni F (2012) New results about multi-band uncertainty in robust optimization. In: International symposium on experimental algorithms. Springer, Berlin, pp 63–74
Büsing C, D’Andreagiovanni F (2013) Robust optimization under multi-band uncertainty—part I: theory. arXiv preprint arXiv:1301.2734
Büsing C, Koster A, Kutschka M (2011a) Recoverable robust knapsacks: \(\gamma \)-scenarios. Network optimization. Springer, Berlin, pp 583–588
Büsing C, Koster AM, Kutschka M (2011b) Recoverable robust knapsacks: the discrete scenario case. Optim Lett 5(3):379–392
Calafiore GC (2008) Multi-period portfolio optimization with linear control policies. Automatica 44(10):2463–2473
Chang TJ, Meade N, Beasley J, Sharaiha Y (2000) Heuristics for cardinality constrained portfolio optimisation. Comput Oper Res 27:1271–1302
Chassein A, Goerigk M (2016) Min–max regret problems with ellipsoidal uncertainty sets. arXiv preprint arXiv:1606.01180
Chassein A, Goerigk M, Kasperski A, Zieliński P (2017) On recoverable and two-stage robust selection problems with budgeted uncertainty. arXiv preprint arXiv:1701.06064
Chen X, Zhang Y (2009) Uncertain linear programs: extended affinely adjustable robust counterparts. Oper Res 57(6):1469–1482
Claßen G, Koster AM, Schmeink A (2015) The multi-band robust knapsack problem—a dynamic programming approach. Discrete Optim 18:123–149
Cornuejols G, Tütüncü R (2006) Optimization methods in finance, vol 5. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Corporation I (2015) IBM ILOG CPLEX optimization studio: CPLEX user’s manual. https://www.ibm.com/us-en/marketplace/ibm-ilog-cplex
El Ghaoui L, Lebret H (1997) Robust solutions to least-squares problems with uncertain data. SIAM J Matrix Anal Appl 18(4):1035–1064
El Ghaoui L, Oustry F, Lebret H (1998) Robust solutions to uncertain semidefinite programs. SIAM J Optim 9(1):33–52
Feige U, Jain K, Mahdian M, Mirrokni V (2007) Robust combinatorial optimization with exponential scenarios. In: Integer programming and combinatorial optimization, pp 439–453
Fischetti M, Monaci M (2009) Light robustness. In: Ahuja RK, Möhring RH, Zaroliagis CD (eds) Robust and online large-scale optimization. Springer, Berlin, pp 61–84
Fischetti M, Monaci M (2012) Cutting plane versus compact formulations for uncertain (integer) linear programs. Math Program Comput 4:1–35
Fischetti M, Salvagnin D, Zanette A (2009) Fast approaches to improve the robustness of a railway timetable. Transp Sci 43(3):321–335
Gabrel V, Murat C, Thiele A (2014) Recent advances in robust optimization: an overview. Eur J Oper Res 235(3):471–483
Georghiou A, Wiesemann W, Kuhn D (2015) Generalized decision rule approximations for stochastic programming via liftings. Math Program 152(1–2):301–338
Gorissen BL, Yanıkoğlu İ, den Hertog D (2015) A practical guide to robust optimization. Omega 53:124–137
Grötschel M, Lovász L, Schrijver A (1993) Geometric algorithms and combinatorial optimization. Springer, Berlin
Gurobi Optimization I (2016) Gurobi optimizer reference manual. http://www.gurobi.com. Accessed 3 Sept 2018
Hanasusanto GA, Kuhn D, Wiesemann W (2015) K-Adaptability in two-stage robust binary programming. Oper Res 63(4):877–891
Hradovich M, Kasperski A, Zieliński P (2016) The robust recoverable spanning tree problem with interval costs is polynomially solvable. arXiv preprint arXiv:1602.07422
Iancu DA (2010) Adaptive robust optimization with applications in inventory and revenue management. Ph.D. thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Iancu DA, Sharma M, Sviridenko M (2013) Supermodularity and affine policies in dynamic robust optimization. Oper Res 61(4):941–956
Ilyina A (2017) Combinatorial optimization under ellipsoidal uncertainty. Ph.D. thesis, TU Dortmund University
Inuiguchi M, Sakawa M (1995) Minimax regret solution to linear programming problems with an interval objective function. Eur J Oper Res 86(3):526–536. https://doi.org/10.1016/0377-2217(94)00092-Q
Kasperski A, Zieliński P (2011) On the approximability of robust spanning tree problems. Theor Comput Sci 412(4–5):365–374
Kasperski A, Zieliński P (2015) Robust recoverable and two-stage selection problems. arXiv preprint arXiv:1505.06893
Kasperski A, Zieliński P (2016) Robust discrete optimization under discrete and interval uncertainty: a survey. In: Doumpos M, Zopounidis C, Grigoroudis E (eds) Robustness analysis in decision aiding, optimization, and analytics. Springer, Berlin, pp 113–143
Kasperski A, Zieliński P (2017) Robust two-stage network problems. In: Operations research proceedings 2015. Springer, Berlin, pp 35–40
Kasperski A, Kurpisz A, Zieliński P (2014) Recoverable robust combinatorial optimization problems. In: Operations research proceedings 2012. Springer, Berlin, pp 147–153
Kellerer H, Pferschy U, Pisinger D (2004) Knapsack problems. Springer, Berlin
Khandekar R, Kortsarz G, Mirrokni V, Salavatipour M (2008) Two-stage robust network design with exponential scenarios. Algorithms ESA 2008:589–600
Kouvelis P, Yu G (1996) Robust discrete optimization and its applications. Springer, Berlin
Kuhn D, Wiesemann W, Georghiou A (2011) Primal and dual linear decision rules in stochastic and robust optimization. Math Program 130(1):177–209
Kurtz J (2016) Min–max–min robust combinatorial optimization. Ph.D. thesis, TU Dortmund University
Lappas NH, Gounaris CE (2018) Robust optimization for decision-making under endogenous uncertainty. Comput Chem Eng 111:252–266
Lee T (2014) A short note on the robust combinatorial optimization problems with cardinality constrained uncertainty. 4OR 12(4):373–378. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10288-014-0270-7
Li Z, Ding R, Floudas CA (2011) A comparative theoretical and computational study on robust counterpart optimization: I. Robust linear optimization and robust mixed integer linear optimization. Ind Eng Chem Res 50(18):10567–10603
Liebchen C, Lübbecke M, Möhring R, Stiller S (2009) The concept of recoverable robustness, linear programming recovery, and railway applications. In: Ahuja R, Möhring R, Zaroliagis C (eds) Robust and online large-scale optimization. Springer, Berlin, pp 1–27
Markowitz H (1952) Portfolio selection. J Finance 7(1):77–91
Minoux M (2011) On 2-stage robust LP with RHS uncertainty: complexity results and applications. J Glob Optim 49(3):521–537
Mokarami S, Hashemi SM (2015) Constrained shortest path with uncertain transit times. J Glob Optim 63(1):149–163. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10898-015-0280-9
Monaci M, Pferschy U, Serafini P (2013) Exact solution of the robust knapsack problem. Comput Oper Res 40(11):2625–2631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cor.2013.05.005
Mutapcic A, Boyd S (2009) Cutting-set methods for robust convex optimization with pessimizing oracles. Optim Methods Softw 24(3):381–406
Naoum-Sawaya J, Buchheim C (2016) Robust critical node selection by benders decomposition. INFORMS J Comput 28(1):162–174. https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2015.0671
Nasrabadi E, Orlin JB (2013) Robust optimization with incremental recourse. arXiv preprint arXiv:1312.4075
Nikolova E (2010a) Approximation algorithms for offline risk-averse combinatorial optimization. Technical report
Nikolova E (2010b) Approximation algorithms for reliable stochastic combinatorial optimization. In: Serna M, Shaltiel R, Jansen K, Rolim J (eds) Approximation, randomization, and combinatorial optimization. Algorithms and techniques. Springer, Berlin, pp 338–351
Nohadani O, Sharma K (2016) Optimization under decision-dependent uncertainty. arXiv preprint arXiv:1611.07992
Park KC, Lee KS (2007) A note on robust combinatorial optimization problem. Manag Sci Financ Eng 13(1):115–119
Pessoa AA, Poss M (2015) Robust network design with uncertain outsourcing cost. INFORMS J Comput 27(3):507–524
Poss M (2013) Robust combinatorial optimization with variable budgeted uncertainty. 4OR 11(1):75–92
Poss M (2017) Robust combinatorial optimization with knapsack uncertainty. Discrete Optim 27:88–102
Postek K, den Hertog D (2016) Multistage adjustable robust mixed-integer optimization via iterative splitting of the uncertainty set. INFORMS J Comput 28(3):553–574
Saito H, Murota K (2007) Benders decomposition approach to robust mixed integer programming. Pac J Optim 3:99–112
Schöbel A (2014) Generalized light robustness and the trade-off between robustness and nominal quality. Math Methods Oper Res 80:1–31
Shapiro A (2011) A dynamic programming approach to adjustable robust optimization. Oper Res Lett 39(2):83–87
Sim M (2004) Robust optimization. Ph.D. thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Soyster AL (1973) Convex programming with set-inclusive constraints and applications to inexact linear programming. Oper Res 21(5):1154–1157
Subramanyam A, Gounaris CE, Wiesemann W (2017) K-Adaptability in two-stage mixed-integer robust optimization. arXiv preprint arXiv:1706.07097
Vayanos P, Kuhn D, Rustem B (2012) A constraint sampling approach for multi-stage robust optimization. Automatica 48(3):459–471
Yanıkoğlu İ, Gorissen B, den Hertog D (2017) Adjustable robust optimization—a survey and tutorial. ResearchGate
Zeng B, Zhao L (2013) Solving two-stage robust optimization problems using a column-and-constraint generation method. Oper Res Lett 41(5):457–461
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
The second author has been supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) within the Research Training Group 1855 and under Grant BU 2313/2.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Buchheim, C., Kurtz, J. Robust combinatorial optimization under convex and discrete cost uncertainty. EURO J Comput Optim 6, 211–238 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13675-018-0103-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13675-018-0103-0
Keywords
- Robust optimization
- Uncertainty
- Combinatorial optimization
- Two-stage robustness
- K-Adaptability
- Complexity