A Linear Approximation for Chance-Constrained Programming

Decision environments involve the need to solve problems with varying degrees of uncertainty as well as multiple, potentially conflicting objectives. Chance constraints consider the uncertainty encountered. Codes incorporating chance constraints into a mathematical programming model are not available on a widespread basis owing to the non-linear form of the chance constraints. Therefore, accurate linear approximations would be useful to analyse this class of problems with efficient linear codes. This paper presents an approximation formula for chance constraints which can be used in either the single- or multiple-objective case. The approximation presented will place a bound on the chance constraint at least as tight as the true non-linear form, thus overachieving the chance constraint at the expense of other constraints or objectives.