Sharif Digital Repository

The goal of this research is to formulate an inventory control problem of a single item with variable demand dependent on displayed stock level and selling price of the commodity. The item deteriorates based on a three-parameter Weibull distribution and advance payment is needed to purchase the item with the all-unit discount policy. Shortages are allowed partially and backlogged with the rate dependent on the length of customers' waiting time. The corresponding problem is formulated as a profit maximisation model. For solving this problem, four different variants of particle swarm optimisation (PSO) are utilised. Then, the application of the model is illustrated with the help of a numerical... 

Caching the popular files in the memories of small base stations (SBSs) is an effective solution to the limited capacity of wireless backhaul links. The efficiency of caching depends on the proper design of the content placement. This is more challenging when the SBSs have overlapped coverage and especially when the users are also mobile. In this letter, we exploit the concept of graph-coloring and model the connection between SBSs and users as well as user mobilities, through a weighted graph in which SBSs are its vertices, and propose some algorithms to color it effectively. Then, we fill the memory of colored SBSs with popular content accordingly. © 1967-2012 IEEE  

'Three-link-model' Exergoeconomic methodology optimises the design and operability of a system. Contrary to traditional iterative Exergoeconomic optimisation methods, a reversed method is used, since assumptions considered by Tsatsaronis for calculating cost-optimal Exergetic efficiency and relative cost difference, were not applicable, new assumptions have been adopted. In a case study applied to Mazandaran paper industry, iterative reversed optimisation results have been compared with evolutionary programming results. Replacement of Pressure Valve and Direct Cyclone Contact Evaporation is proposed, while by selection of the optimum decision variable, recoverable black liquor is increased... 

This paper presents some computationally efficient algorithms for online tracking of set points in robust model predictive control context subject to state and input constraints. The nonlinear systems are represented by a linear model along with an additive nonlinear term which is locally Lipschitz. As an unstructured uncertainty, this term is replaced in the robust stability constraint by its Lipschitz coefficient. A scheduled control technique is employed to transfer the system to desired set points, given online, by designing local robust model predictive controllers. This scheme includes estimating the regions of feasibility and stability of the related equilibriums and online switching... 

Produced water (PW), water extracted along with oil, can cause important environmental challenges due to its high volume and salinity and is considered a key factor in the economic exploitation of oil fields. Therefore, making use of a cost-effective integrated system of wastewater treatment is a fundamental requirement in oil and gas industries. In this paper, the integrated PW treatment system is presented using superstructure-based mathematical optimisation methodology which is aimed at minimising the total annual cost. Two distinct scenarios of injection and reuse in industrial scale are considered to propose an efficient and optimal integrated system. The results show that, despite the... 

In this study, the authors present a new criterion which can be used to decompose the coding advantage (CA) of space-frequency block codes (SFBCs). The proposed decomposition separates the CA into two parts, called precoder-CA and channel-CA. The precoder-CA represents the effects of the precoder and the signal constellation, and can be used in the design of the precoder of SFBCs. The channel-CA, on the other hand, gives an indication of the effects of the channel characteristics, and can be utilised for optimising the permutation parameter. The authors have shown that the proposed decomposition method leads to a lower computational complexity for the optimisation procedure compared with the... 

In this study, a novel network reinforcement model incorporating optimal wind farms (WFs) integration to power systems is proposed. Based on the reinforcement model, new transmission lines are added to the network for eliminating the transmission network congestion. In addition, a methodology for determining the WFs optimal capacities, the economical WF lines transfer rates and the appropriate reinforcement plan, whereas maximising the total benefit using cost-reliability analysis is presented. In this way, the objective of the proposed optimisation problem has been divided into a master problem and two subproblems. Benders decomposition is employed to connect the master and subproblems of... 

This study presents new sufficient conditions for Hurwitz and Schur stability of interval matrices. Tight bounds for the spectrum of interval matrices are estimated using computationally simple optimisation problems. The conservativeness is reduced further by application of ordinary similarity transformation. A necessary and sufficient vertex based criterion for the stability of a subclass of interval systems in continuous and discrete-time cases is also proposed. This enables the spectra for this class of interval systems to be determined exactly. A selection of various examples adopted from existing literature is used to demonstrate the utility of the proposed criteria  

This paper deals with the problem of designing the PI λDμ-type controllers for minimum-phase fractional systems of rational order. In such systems, the powers of the Laplace variable, s, are limited to rational numbers. Unlike many existing methods that use numerical optimisation algorithms, the proposed method is based on an analytic approach and avoids complicated numerical calculations. The method presented in this paper is based on the asymptotic behaviour of fractional algebraic equations and applies a delicate property of the root loci of the systems under consideration. In many cases, the resulted controller is conveniently in the form of P, Iλ, PDμ or PIλDμ. Four design examples are... 

For a fading full-duplex decode-and-forward relay channel, the authors analytically derive optimum power allocation schemes subject to individual power constraints at the source and the relay. The authors prove that the problem is a convex optimisation problem over the feasible power set, and by proposing a systematic technique to solve min-max problems, optimum power allocations are derived in closed-forms. Finally, for a Rayleigh-fading channel model, optimum power allocations are derived and the respective achievable rate and an upper bound are evaluated. The implications of the derived theoretical results are discussed through some graphs  

A novel optimisation algorithm is developed to predict coactivity of abdominal muscles while accounting for both trunk stability via the lowest buckling load (Pcr) and tissue loading via the axial compression (Fc). A nonlinear multi-joint kinematics-driven model of the spine along with the response surface methodology are used to establish empirical expressions for Pcr and Fc as functions of abdominal muscle coactivities and external load magnitude during lifting in upright standing posture. A two-component objective function involving Fc and Pcr is defined. Due to opposite demands, abdominal coactivities that simultaneously maximise Pcr and minimise Fc cannot exist. Optimal solutions are... 

In this study an analytical model based on solving Maxwell equations in the machine layers is presented for linear resolver (LR). Anisotropy, field harmonics, slot effects, number of slots per pole per phase and the effect of tooth skewing are considered in the model. The proposed method is a design oriented technique that can be used for performance prediction and design optimisation of the LR due to its acceptable accuracy and fast computation time. Two- and three-dimensional time stepping finite element method (FEM) is employed to validate the results of the proposed model. Good correlations between the results obtained by the proposed method and the FEM confirm the superiority of the... 

In this study, a new 12-slot two-saliency variable reluctance (VR) resolver with simple non-overlapping windings is proposed. The excitation winding in the proposed resolver is replaced with one axial coil that is perpendicular to the signal windings. Both distributed and non-overlapping concentric windings with uniform coil turns are used. The rotor has two upper and lower saliencies located in front of each other. The shape and width of each saliency are determined based on the optimisation. Compared with conventional 12-slot VR resolvers, the proposed resolver has a simpler rotor structure and the advantages of two-saliency resolvers against eccentricity, absolute output position, and... 

Variable reluctance (VR) resolvers have some distinguish features over wounded rotor resolvers that make them suitable for industrial applications. Among different types of VR resolvers, sinusoidal-rotor resolvers are preferred due to simple structure and high performance under eccentricities. However, their accuracy is affected by inevitable run-out error. As they work based on sinusoidal variation of coupling area between stator and rotor and under run-out error the coupling area is impaired. Hence, in this study, a new disk shape configuration is proposed for sinusoidal-rotor resolver that is robust against run-out error. Geometrical dimensions are calculated based on optimisations to... 

Optimal placement of switches can play a key role in providing resilience to power distribution systems against major faults caused by natural disasters. This study presents a resilience-based framework for optimal switch placement in distribution systems being consistent with the expansion plans of distributed generation units. At first, the impact of hurricanes on distribution system components is modelled using the geographic information system of distribution grid and the strength of components against extreme weather-related events. Then, a new resiliency index is proposed to assess the resilience of distribution grids. This index is involved in a mathematical model of the switch... 

Recently, demand-response (DR) programmes are one of the appropriate tools for energy systems to encourage flexible customers to participate in the operation of energy systems. One of the complex tasks in multi-energy environments is optimal energy flow (OEF) problem of these systems. In this regard, this study investigates the OEF of an integrated electrical, heat, and gas system considering flexible heat and electrical demands. The conventional DR programme has been combined with the demand-side energy supplying management activity by introducing switching concept among input energy carriers. The way of the supplying energy of flexible customer can be changed by switching among input... 

In this research, we approach the flowshop sequence-dependent group scheduling problem with minimisation of total weighted earliness and tardiness as the objective for the first time. A mixed integer linear programming model is developed to solve the problem optimally. Since the proposed research problem is proven to be NP-hard, a hybrid meta-heuristic algorithm based on the particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm, enhanced with neighbourhood search is developed to heuristically solve the problem. Since the objective is a non-regular, a timing algorithm is developed to find the best schedule for each sequence provided by the metaheuristic algorithm. A lower bounding method is also... 

Ground improvement techniques are inevitable for weak soils that cannot endure the design load imposed by superstructures. Deep mixing technique (DMT) as one of these methods is promising and effective when a deep soil layer with low bearing capacity is encountered. Such deposits are quite common in the South-west of Iran where the studied site is located. In order to validate the influence of DMT on the enhancement of strength, both in-situ and laboratory tests were conducted. Afterwards, a parametric study was carried out to investigate the influence of key factors including cement content, water–cement ratio, curing time and plasticity index (PI) on the performance of DMT. In summary, a... 

Recently, power system operators have initiated procurement of a new service in electricity markets named flexibleramping product (FRP). With the main goal of enhancing the grid flexibility, this product can provide a remarkable opportunity foran enhanced short-term profitability. Energy storage systems (ESSs) with high ramping capability can leverage their profitabilitywhen properly participating in this market. This study introduces a stochastic optimisation framework for participation of ESSs inthe FRP market. The proposed model formulates the optimal bidding strategy of ESSs considering the real-time energy, flexibleramp-up and ramp-down marginal price signals and the associated... 

Today, coordinated expansion planning is one of the key challenges for electricity systems including active distribution networks (ADNs) and transmission networks (TNs) hosting distributed renewable generation as well as large-scale wind energy generation. Accordingly, this study presents a decentralised hybrid robust and stochastic (HR&S) expansion planning optimisation method to determine a robust generation and transmission planning for a TN and stochastic expansion planning for ADNs. The proposed HR&S planning model is formulated with the objective of achieving an effective expansion of both TN&ADN while minimises the investment and operation costs of TN&ADN planning considering wind...