On the minimum number of simplex shapes in longest edge bisection refinement of a regular n-simplex

In several areas like Global Optimization using branch-and-bound methods, the unit n-simplex is refined by bisecting the longest edge such that a binary search tree appears. This process generates simplices belonging to different shape classes. Having less simplex shapes facilitates the prediction of the further workload from a node in the binary tree, because the same shape leads to the same sub-tree. Irregular sub-simplices generated in the refinement process may have more than one longest edge when n\geqslant 3. The question is how to choose the longest edge to be bisected such that the number of shape classes is as small as possible. We develop a Branch-and-Bound (B&B) algorithm to find the minimum number of classes in the refinement process. The developed B&B algorithm provides a minimum number of eight classes for a regular 3-simplex. Due to the high computational cost of solving this combinatorial problem, future research focuses on using high performance computing to derive the minimum number of shapes in higher dimensions

Proceedings of the XIII Global Optimization Workshop: GOW'16

[Excerpt] Preface: Past Global Optimization Workshop shave been held in Sopron (1985 and 1990), Szeged (WGO, 1995), Florence (GO’99, 1999), Hanmer Springs (Let’s GO, 2001), Santorini (Frontiers in GO, 2003), San José (Go’05, 2005), Mykonos (AGO’07, 2007), Skukuza (SAGO’08, 2008), Toulouse (TOGO’10, 2010), Natal (NAGO’12, 2012) and Málaga (MAGO’14, 2014) with the aim of stimulating discussion between senior and junior researchers on the topic of Global Optimization. In 2016, the XIII Global Optimization Workshop (GOW’16) takes place in Braga and is organized by three researchers from the University of Minho. Two of them belong to the Systems Engineering and Operational Research Group from the Algoritmi Research Centre and the other to the Statistics, Applied Probability and Operational Research Group from the Centre of Mathematics. The event received more than 50 submissions from 15 countries from Europe, South America and North America. We want to express our gratitude to the invited speaker Panos Pardalos for accepting the invitation and sharing his expertise, helping us to meet the workshop objectives. GOW’16 would not have been possible without the valuable contribution from the authors and the International Scientific Committee members. We thank you all. This proceedings book intends to present an overview of the topics that will be addressed in the workshop with the goal of contributing to interesting and fruitful discussions between the authors and participants. After the event, high quality papers can be submitted to a special issue of the Journal of Global Optimization dedicated to the workshop. [...