Krausz dimension and its generalizations in special graph classes

A {\it krausz $(k,m)$-partition} of a graph $G$ is the partition of $G$ into cliques, such that any vertex belongs to at most $k$ cliques and any two cliques have at most $m$ vertices in common. The {\it $m$-krausz} dimension $kdim_m(G)$ of the graph $G$ is the minimum number $k$ such that $G$ has a krausz $(k,m)$-partition. 1-krausz dimension is known and studied krausz dimension of graph $kdim(G)$. In this paper we prove, that the problem $"kdim(G)\leq 3"$ is polynomially solvable for chordal graphs, thus partially solving the problem of P. Hlineny and J. Kratochvil. We show, that the problem of finding $m$-krausz dimension is NP-hard for every $m\geq 1$, even if restricted to (1,2)-colorable graphs, but the problem $"kdim_m(G)\leq k"$ is polynomially solvable for $(\infty,1)$-polar graphs for every fixed $k,m\geq 1$

How many matchings cover the nodes of a graph?

Given an undirected graph, are there $k$ matchings whose union covers all of its nodes, that is, a matching-$k$-cover? A first, easy polynomial solution from matroid union is possible, as already observed by Wang, Song and Yuan (Mathematical Programming, 2014). However, it was not satisfactory neither from the algorithmic viewpoint nor for proving graphic theorems, since the corresponding matroid ignores the edges of the graph. We prove here, simply and algorithmically: all nodes of a graph can be covered with $k\ge 2$ matchings if and only if for every stable set $S$ we have $|S|\le k\cdot|N(S)|$. When $k=1$, an exception occurs: this condition is not enough to guarantee the existence of a matching-$1$-cover, that is, the existence of a perfect matching, in this case Tutte's famous matching theorem (J. London Math. Soc., 1947) provides the right `good' characterization. The condition above then guarantees only that a perfect $2$-matching exists, as known from another theorem of Tutte (Proc. Amer. Math. Soc., 1953). Some results are then deduced as consequences with surprisingly simple proofs, using only the level of difficulty of bipartite matchings. We give some generalizations, as well as a solution for minimization if the edge-weights are non-negative, while the edge-cardinality maximization of matching-$2$-covers turns out to be already NP-hard. We have arrived at this problem as the line graph special case of a model arising for manufacturing integrated circuits with the technology called `Directed Self Assembly'.Comment: 10 page

The matching relaxation for a class of generalized set partitioning problems

This paper introduces a discrete relaxation for the class of combinatorial optimization problems which can be described by a set partitioning formulation under packing constraints. We present two combinatorial relaxations based on computing maximum weighted matchings in suitable graphs. Besides providing dual bounds, the relaxations are also used on a variable reduction technique and a matheuristic. We show how that general method can be tailored to sample applications, and also perform a successful computational evaluation with benchmark instances of a problem in maritime logistics.Comment: 33 pages. A preliminary (4-page) version of this paper was presented at CTW 2016 (Cologne-Twente Workshop on Graphs and Combinatorial Optimization), with proceedings on Electronic Notes in Discrete Mathematic