Importance of the simplex method in engineering
and its application in environmental engineering
Currently, people must face problems of all kinds such as business, environmental, social,
economic, to highlight some which must be resolved quickly and efficiently, always aiming
to minimize the negative consequences generated by these problems. However, these
problems can be complex mainly because of the number of variables and parameters that
are initially known to face them due to this level of uncertainty, a series of methods have
been developed to deal with this type of problem in order to find an efficient solution.
This type of processes are widely used by engineers, which are characterized by providing
solutions to different types of problems and an in-depth understanding of the behavior of
various phenomena in which it is common to use and use tools that facilitate the process of
understanding and solution of the problems. This type of tools can be established as the
application of the scientific method in the solution of problems whose approach is modeling
that is to create models that allow to represent the problems and make use of different
techniques such as linear programming, and the analysis of decisions for establish the most
optimal solution of it.
The tool or methodology used to solve problems has great importance for engineers,
because it allows to find a quantitative solution to a wide variety of problems which helps
us to make decisions, based on an analytical process. Decision making is an essential task
that the engineer or professional in charge must take taking into account the corresponding
analyzes of the results obtained and the responsibility that this implies.
Of these methodologies and tools, the simplex method stands out, which is an analytical
method of solving linear programming problems capable of solving more complex models
than those solved by the graphical method, mainly because it does not have a restriction
on the number of variables. In addition, this method facilitates adapting easily to different
contexts because it allows the objective function to be maximized or minimized according
to the criteria of the person solving the problem. In addition, a numerical solution of this
type of methodologies will always be obtained. the analysis of information requires human
intervention.
In environmental engineering this type of method presents a very useful tool to solve
different types of environmental problems, which arise from natural and anthropic causes,
always having as objective the welfare of nature, ecosystems, and quality of life. of people
also allows establishing the optimization of different processes developed daily in society,
establishing as a purpose to mitigate the negative consequences generated by these
activities mainly related to economic activities and exploitation of resources by people to
generate monetary income, Below we will visualize some cases in which the
implementation of these methodologies have contributed to the adequate development of
these processes so that they continue generating income being friendly with the
environment.
The Ifraín Alfonso sugar company, located in Villa Clara, Cuba, shares in its article
information on how using these tools and methodologies achieve the results of eco
efficiency in the manufacture of spare parts, such as the fixing bolts of the blades of the
mills in the machining workshop in his article the author shares information about the
conceptual framework and the procedure for the evaluation of eco efficiency. In addition,
indicators were established and the mode of calculation (Paz-Martínez, 2016).
Another example of the application of this type of method as the simplex method can be
identified in the study. Development and optimization of a multiresiduous methodology by
Simplex method for the analysis of pesticides in honey. When looking at this study we can
see that it arises from the question: how can it influence and adversely affect the application
of pesticides in crops close to bee production areas, can it affect the survival of bees and
the quality of products derived from the hive? from cases as innovative as this we can
conclude that the field of application of this methodology is very broad and can be a viable
tool to answer many questions that still presents the environment with its ecosystems
(Danny Rodríguez, 2013 ).
Achieving greater efficiency in the production of elements and managing them to be
environmentally friendly are characteristics to which many companies are aiming for the
added value added to their products, as expressed in the study. Actual environmental
efficiency of production of an ecological and slender manufacturing system. In which we
describe the productivity improvements of a company after implementation of the
environmentally friendly manufacturing system with a series of indicators that logically
refute the benefits achieved (Aguado, 2015).
This type of methodologies can be implemented in different contexts such as the forestry
sector in the study. Application of linear programming in the forestry sector, we are told
how they have been evolving and establishing optimization models to productively exploit
the forests by some private companies to generate an economic competitiveness at a global
level as well as not neglecting within their objectives the care of and welfare of their forests
in the process (Leticia Vargas Suárez, 2004).
With this type of examples we can appreciate the applicability of this type of models in
environmental engineering since it allows us to face diverse problems and improve a wide
variety of productive processes which are aimed at reducing the impacts generated by the
environment as well as providing alternatives focused on improving and preserving the
quality of life of people.