Strong mixed-integer formulations for the floor layout problem. Issue 4 (2nd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huchette, Joey; Dey, Santanu S.; Vielma, Juan Pablo
• Is Part Of: Infor. Volume 56:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 392
• Page End: 433
• Publication Date: 2018-10-02
• Subjects: Layout -- integer programming; Operations research -- Periodicals; Electronic data processing -- Periodicals; Systems engineering -- Periodicals; Systems engineering; Electronic data processing; Periodicals; 003.05
• DOI: 10.1080/03155986.2017.1346916
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0315-5986

Abstract

Abstract: The floor layout problem (FLP) tasks a designer with positioning a collection of rectangular boxes on a fixed floor in such a way that minimizes total communication costs between the components. While several mixed-integer programming (MIP) formulations for this problem have been developed, it remains extremely challenging from a computational perspective. This work takes a systematic approach to constructing MIP formulations and valid inequalities for the FLP that unifies and recovers all known formulations for it. In addition, the approach yields new formulations that can provide a significant computational advantage and can solve previously unsolved instances. While the construction approach focuses on the FLP, it also exemplifies generic formulation techniques that should prove useful for broader classes of problems.