Robust optimization-based heuristic algorithm for the chance-constrained knapsack problem using submodularity

Abstract: In this paper, we propose a robust optimization-based heuristic algorithm for the chance-constrained binary knapsack problem (CKP). We assume that the weights of items are independent normally distributed. By utilizing the properties of the submodular function, the proposed method approximates the CKP to the robust knapsack problem with a cardinality constrained uncertainty set parameterized by a uncertainty budget parameter. The proposed approach obtains a heuristic solution by solving the approximated robust knapsack problem whose optimal solution can be obtained by solving the ordinary binary knapsack problem iteratively. The computational results show the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed approach.