Title: A novel hierarchical approach for a heterogeneous 3D pallet loading problem subject to factual loading and delivery constraints

Authors: Sena Kır; Harun Resit Yazgan

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering, Sakarya University, Engineering Faculty M5 Block, 54050, Serdivan, Sakarya, Turkey ' Department of Industrial Engineering, Sakarya University, Engineering Faculty M5 Block, 54050, Serdivan, Sakarya, Turkey

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]

Keywords: logistics; 3D pallet loading problem; MILP; genetic algorithm; intelligent dynamic crossover.

DOI: 10.1504/EJIE.2019.102155

European Journal of Industrial Engineering, 2019 Vol.13 No.5, pp.627 - 650

Published online: 09 Sep 2019 *

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