In this paper, a hybrid meta-heuristic algorithm, based on imperialistic competition algorithm (ICA), harmony search (HS), and simulated annealing (SA) is presented. The body of the proposed hybrid algorithm is based on ICA. The proposed hybrid algorithm inherits the advantages of the process of harmony creation in HS algorithm to improve the exploitation phase of the ICA algorithm. In addition...

We describe a hybrid meta-heuristic algorithm for combinatorial optimization problems with a specific reference to the travelling salesman problem (TSP). The method is a combination of a genetic algorithm (GA) and greedy randomized adaptive search procedure (GRASP). A new adaptive fuzzy a greedy search operator is developed for this hybrid method. Computational experiments using a wide range of...

This article introduces POPMUSIC a meta heuristic that has been successfully applied to various combinatorial optimization problems This meta heuristic is especially useful for designing heuristic methods for large combinatorial problems that can be partially optimized The basic idea is to optimize sub parts of solutions until a local optimum is reached Implementations of the technique to large...

in today's globalization, an effective integration of production and distribution plans into a unified framework is crucial for attaining competitive advantage. this paper addresses an integrated multi-product and multi-time period production/distribution planning problem for a two-echelon supply chain subject to the real-world variables and constraints. it is assumed that all transportations a...

in this paper, a novel mathematical model for a preemption multi-mode multi-objective resource-constrained project scheduling problem with distinct due dates and positive and negative cash flows is presented. although optimization of bi-objective problems with due dates is an essential feature of real projects, little effort has been made in studying the p-mmrcpsp while due dates are included i...

one of the significant strategies of the power systems is economic dispatch (ed) problem, which is defined as the optimal generation of power units to produce energy at the lowest cost by fulfilling the demand within several limits. the undeniable impacts of ramp rate limits, valve loading, prohibited operating zone, spinning reserve and multi-fuel option on the economic dispatch of practical p...

in the science of operation research and decision theory, selection is the most important process. selection is a process that studies multiple qualitative and quantitative criteria, related to the science of management, which are mostly incompatible with each other. the multi criteria selection of a renewable energy portfolio is one of the main issues considered in multi criteria literature. i...

this study presents the effects of project uncertainties on nonlinear time-cost tradeoff (tct) profile of real life engineering projects by the fusion of fuzzy logic and artificial neural network (ann) models with hybrid meta-heuristic (hmh) technique, abridged as fuzzy-ann-hmh. nonlinear time-cost relationship of project activities is dealt with ann models. ann models are then integrated with ...