This paper presents a mathematical programming model for designing a sustainable continuous-time multi-period hub network considering time-dependent demand. The present model can be used in situations where the distribution of parameters related to the demand function is unknown, and we only can determine the range of changes of these parameters. To model these conditions, we consider interval uncertainty for the demand function parameters. The proposed model is a nonlinear multi-objective model. The objectives of the model cover economic, environmental, and social aspects of sustainability. These objectives include minimizing total costs, minimizing emissions, and maximizing fixed and variable job opportunities. We linearize the model by using some linearization techniques, and then, with the help of Bertsimas and Sim’s method, we construct a robust counterpart of the model. We also present some valid inequalities to strengthen the formulation. To solve the proposed model, we use Torabi and Hassini method. From solving the proposed model, network design decisions and the best time to implement decisions during the planning horizon are determined. To validate the model, we solve a sample problem based on the Turkish dataset and compare the designed network in two cases: in the first case, the demand function parameters take nominal values, and in the second case, the value of these parameters can change up to 20% of their nominal values. The results show that in the second case, the total capacity selected for hubs and hub links is greater than the first case. To investigate changes in objective functions to parameters level of conservatism and probability of constraints violation, we perform sensitivity analysis on these parameters in both single-objective and multi-objective optimization cases and report the results.
