Optimization models as applied to equipment replacement problems: review and trends

Abstract

Equipment replacement is a definitive and relevant engineering decision. The aim of this work was to identify and organize the mathematical optimization proposals and solution search techniques that have contributed toward solving this problem. As a result, we classified the bibliographic materials we identified into seven distinct types of approaches. The work also provides an integrative overview of the level of complementarity of the categories we identified. The network visualization approach represented about 57% of the selected works and is still in use today. Nonetheless, since 2000 other approaches, such as fuzzy logic, real options, and machine learning have increased by 40% and become relevant current trends.