Network flow problem

Author: Ruobing Shui (CHEME 6800 Fall 2020)

Steward: Allen Yang, Fengqi You

Introduction:

Network flow problems arise in several key instances and applications within society and have become fundamental problems within computer science, operations research, applied mathematics, and engineering. Developments in the approach to tackle these problems resulted in algorithms that became the chief instruments for solving problems related to large-scale systems and industrial logistics. Spurred by early developments in linear programming, the methods for addressing these extensive problems date back several decades and they evolved over time as the use of digital computing became increasingly prevalent in industrial processes. Historically, the first instance of an algorithmic development for the network flow problem came in 1956, with the network simplex method formulated by George Dantzig [ref]. A variation of the simplex algorithm that revolutionized linear programming, this method leveraged the combinatorial structure inherent to these types of problems and demonstrated incredibly high accuracy [ref]. This method and its variations would go on to define the embodiment of the algorithms and models for the various and distinct network flow problems discussed here.

Theory:

Qualitatively, the network flow problem can be conceptualized as a directed graph which abides by certain flow capacity constraints at its edges and equates the values entering and exiting its vertices at all points besides terminal source and sink terms. The vertices in this problem are the origins, destinations, and intermediate points and are referred to as nodes. The edges are the directional transportation links between these nodes and are referred to as arcs [ref]. Models for network flow problems function as tools for computing the net flow of units along these constrained arcs and between pairs of nodes, and are useful for quantifying logistical interests such as the optimal scheme for the distribution of a product from a plant to it’s consumer constituents. In this scenario, the product departs from the distribution source (origin) and travels through a network of intermediary transition points such as warehouses and fulfillment centers (nodes), before finally reaching the consumer market (destination). Along this journey, the transportation method along the route (arc) may be subjected to certain restraints such as the allowable amount of product carried between points (capacity constraints). The objective function in this case would be to minimize the cost of shipping the product whilst still meeting a specified demand. This exact circumstance is very common in industrial logistics and was the primary motivation for defining and solving the network flow problem [ref]. This case, the transportation problem, was the beginning of a wide assortment of problems defined for network flow by leveraging it’s combinatorial structure in a special-purpose algorithm.

Historically, the classic network flow problems are considered to be the maximum flow problem and the minimum-cost circulation problem, the assignment problem, bipartite matching problem, transportation problem, and the transshipment problem [ref]. The approach to these problems become quite specific based upon the problem’s objective function but can be generalized by the following iterative approach: 1. determining the initial basic feasible solution; 2. checking the optimality conditions (i.e. whether the problem is infeasible, unbounded over the feasible region, optimal solution has been found, etc.); and 3. constructing an improved basic feasible solution if the optimal solution has not been determined [ref].