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A Genetic Algorithm for the Unequal Area Facility Layout Problem

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Operations Research Proceedings 2012

Part of the book series: Operations Research Proceedings ((ORP))

Abstract

In this paper we apply a genetic algorithm for solving the facility layout problem. The focus is on departments of unequal sizes. The objective is primarily to minimize material flow factor cost. The chosen genetic method bases on an implemented space-filling curve which continuously connects each unequal area department in order to avoid disjoint areas. In contrast to the existing literature, which applies sweeping, spiral or Hilbert-type patterns, we propose Peano-type patterns. The original Peano curve has to be adjusted in order to be applicable to the considered facility layout problem. We describe the generation of the Peano curve and the applied genetic search. Further, we provide results from several test problems that demonstrate the very good suitability of modified Peano curves for the unequal area facility layout problem.

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chair of Industrial Management, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany

    Udo Buscher, Birgit Mayer & Tobias Ehrig

Authors
  1. Udo Buscher
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  2. Birgit Mayer
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  3. Tobias Ehrig
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Udo Buscher .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Production Management, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany

    Stefan Helber

  2. Institute for Information Systems Resear, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany

    Michael Breitner

  3. Institute for Banking and Finance, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany

    Daniel Rösch

  4. Institute of Production Management, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany

    Cornelia Schön

  5. Institute for Risk and Insurance, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany

    Johann-Matthias Graf von der Schulenburg

  6. Institute of Statistics, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany

    Philipp Sibbertsen

  7. Institute of Applied Mathematics, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany

    Marc Steinbach

  8. Institute of Probability and Statistics, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany

    Stefan Weber

  9. Institute of Production Management, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, Germany

    Anja Wolter

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Buscher, U., Mayer, B., Ehrig, T. (2014). A Genetic Algorithm for the Unequal Area Facility Layout Problem. In: Helber, S., et al. Operations Research Proceedings 2012. Operations Research Proceedings. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-00795-3_16

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