Title: A heuristic and GRASP algorithm for three-dimensional multiple bin-size bin packing problem based on the needs of a spare-part company

Authors: Ali Shoja Sangchooli; Seyed Mehdi Sajadifar

Addresses: Technology Development Institute (ACECR), Sharif Branch, Tehran, 14155-4364, Iran ' Industrial Engineering Department, Faculty of Technical and Engineering, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: The three-dimensional multiple bin-size bin packing problem (3D-MBSBPP) has many practical applications in the logistic problems such as warehouse management, transportation planning and container loading. An efficient solution to the problem can have significant effects on reducing the transportation costs, improving the status and increasing the productivity and profitability of the companies. The mathematical models proposed for this problem are few in number and can, therefore, be expanded and improved much further. In this paper, based on the needs of a spare-part company in Iran, we developed a mathematical model for 3D-MBSBPP. This model takes into account the rotation of the boxes and the maximum weight constraint of the bins and then, we used a new heuristic and a GRASP algorithm for solving the model. The obtained answers in comparison with the exact method, confirm the speed and efficiency of the proposed algorithms, especially in solving the large-scale and real-sized problems.

Keywords: 3D MBSBPP; container loading; logistic; heuristic algorithm.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOM.2021.112518

International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 2021 Vol.38 No.1, pp.73 - 91

Received: 29 Mar 2018
Accepted: 20 Nov 2018

Published online: 20 Jan 2021 *

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