Author: Woo Soo Choe (ChE 345 Spring 2015)
Steward: Dajun Yue, Fengqi You

## Methodology

In order to investigate how Adaptive Robust Optimization problem, numerous techniques may be used. However, given the scope of this page, only three of the techniques will be introduced. The three algorithms are Bender's Decomposition, Trilevel Optimization, and column-and-Constraint Generation Algorithm and for the Benders Decomposition and Trilevel . When using Benders Decomposition approach, the algorithm essentially breaks down the original problem into the outer and inner problems. Once the problem is divided into two parts, the outer problem is solved using the Benders Decomposition and the inner problem is solved using the Outer Approximation. The detailed steps are as follows.

Benders Decomposition
The Outer Problem: Benders Decomposition
Step 1: Initialize, by denoting the lower bound as $LB = - \infty$ and the upper bound as $UB=\infty$ and set the iteration count as $C=0$. Then choose the termination tolerance $\epsilon$.

Step 2: Solve the master problem
Failed to parse(unknown function '\all'): \begin{array}{llr} \ max_{x,\zeta} c^T x + \zeta &\\ \ Fx \le f &\\ \ {\zeta} \ge -h^T \alpha_l + (Ax-g)^T \beta_l + d_l^T \lambda_l , \all \le C \end{array}




## Model Formulation

Adaptive Robust Optimization implements different techniques to improve on the original static robust optimization by incorporating multiple stages of decision into the algorithm. Currently, in order to minimize the complexity of algorithm, most of the studies on adaptive robust optimization have focused on two-stage problems. Generally, Adaptive Robust Optimization may be formulated in various different forms but for simplicity, Adaptive Robust Optimization in convex case was provided.
$\begin{array}{llr} \max\limits_{x\in \mathit{S}} &f(x) + \max\limits_{b\in \mathit{B}} Q(x,b) &\\ \end{array}$

In the equation $x$ is the first stage variable and $y$ is the second stage variable, where S and Y are all the possible decisions, respectively.$b$ represents a vector of data and when $\mathit{B}$ represents uncertainty set.

In order for the provided convex case formulation to work, the case must satisfy five conditions:
1. $\mathit{S}$ is a nonempty convex set
2. $f(x)$ is convex in $x$
3. $\mathit{Y}$ is a nonempty convex set
4. $h(y)$ is convex in $y$
5. For all i=1,...,n, $H_i (x,y,b)$ is convex in $(x,y), \forall b \in \mathit{B}$

Clearly, not every Adaptive Robust Optimization problem may be solved using exactly one model. However, key features that need to be present in a model of Adaptive Robust Optimization are the variables which respectively represent the multiple stages, uncertainty sets whether in ellipsoidal form, polyhedral form, or other novel way, and general layout of the problem which solves for the minimum loss at the worst case scenario. Furthermore, another key feature is that second stage variables are not known. Another form of Adaptive Robust Optimization formulation is provided below.

$\begin{array}{llr} \ min_x c^T x + \max\limits_{d\in \mathbb{D}} \min\limits_{y\in {\Omega}} b^T y &\\ \text{s.t.} Fx \le f &\\ \ {\Omega} (x,d)= \big\{y: Hy \le h, Ax+By \le g, Jy=d \big\} &\\ \ \mathbb{D} = \big\{ d: Dd \le k \big\} \end{array}$

Similarly as in the first formulation provided, $x$ and $y$ represent the first stage variable and the second stage variable respectively. In this case the, $\mathbb{D}$ is the polyhedron uncertainty set of demand $d$and $\Omega$ represents the uncertainty set for the second stage variable $y$. In this case, H, A, B, g, J, D, and k are numerical parameters which could represent different parameters under different circumstances.

## Introduction

Traditionally, robust optimization has solved problems based on static decisions which are predetermined by the decision makers. Once the decisions were made, the problem was solved and whenever a new uncertainty was realized, the uncertainty was incorporated to the original problem and the entire problem was solved again to account for the uncertainty.[1] Generally, robust optimization problem is formulated as follows.

In the equation $x\epsilon\mathbb{R}^n$ is a vector of decision variables and $f_o,f_i$are functions and are the uncertainty parameters which take random value in the uncertainty sets Failed to parse(unknown function '\subseteqmathbb'): \mathcal{U}_i\subseteqmathbb{R}^k . When robust optimization is utilized to solve a problem, three implicit assumptions are made.
1. All entries need in the decision vector$x$ get specific numerical values prior to the realization of the actual data.
2. When the real data is within the range of the uncertainty set $\mathcal{U}$, the decision maker is responsible for the result obtained through the robust optimization algorithm
3. The constraints are hard and the violation of the constraints may not be tolerated when the real data is within the uncertainty set $mathcal{U}$
The three assumptions grant robust optimization technique immunity from uncertainties. There are other types of optimization techniques such as Stochastic Optimization which may be used to handle problems with uncertainties. However, because Stochastic Optimization has its own drawback because it requires the probability distribution of the events. By having the decision makers make guesses about the probability distribution, Stochastic Optimization method often yield results that are less conservative than the ones by Robust Optimization method.
Robust Optimization certainly may have advantages over other optimization methods, but unfortunately, most robust optimization problems for real life applications require multiple stages to account for uncertainties and traditional static robust has shown limitations. In order to improve the pre-existing technique, Adaptive Robust Optimization was studied and advances in the field was made to address the problems which could not be easily handled with previous methods.[2]