A branch and cut algorithm for the Steiner problem in graphs

Abstract

In this paper, we consider the Steiner problem in graphs, which is the problem of connecting together, at minimum cost, a number of vertices in an undirected graph with nonnegative edge costs. We use the formulation of this problem as a shortest spanning tree (SST) problem with additional constraints given previously in the literature. We strengthen this SST formulation and present a branch and cut algorithm to solve the problem to optimality. This algorithm incorporates reduction tests and is used to solve a number of problems drawn from the literature. A number of general issues relating to branch and cut algorithms are also highlighted. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Networks 31: 39–59, 1998