A novel hierarchical approach for a heterogeneous 3D pallet loading problem subject to factual loading and delivery constraints. (2nd August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kır, Sena; Yazgan, Harun Resit
• Is Part Of: European journal of industrial engineering. Volume 13:Number 5(2019)
• Page Start: 627
• Page End: 650
• Publication Date: 2019-08-02
• Subjects: logistics -- 3D pallet loading problem -- MILP -- genetic algorithm -- intelligent dynamic crossover; Industrial engineering -- Europe -- Periodicals; 658.50094
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-5254

Abstract

This paper presents a hierarchical approach, which consists of a two-stage genetic algorithm and a mixed integer linear programming, for a heterogeneous three-dimensional pallet loading problem in consideration of the rotation, the relative positioning, the load-bearing strength and the fragility constraints. Stage #1 of the proposed two-stage genetic algorithm provides to reduce the number of items to be packed by combining similar items based on a stack-building approach. And, stage #2 provides to estimate the number of required free pallets. After that, the proposed mixed integer linear programming solves the problem considering the findings of the proposed two-stage genetic algorithm. The proposed hierarchical approach was tested on well-known instances leading to favourable results and compared with a decent solution approach. In addition, a case study was presented. [Received: 7 July 2018; Revised: 20 November 2018; Accepted: 25 January 2019]