Hybrid Genetic Algorithm-Simulation Optimization Method for Proactively Planning Layout of Material Yard Laydown

Abstract

AbstractThis paper presents a hybrid optimization method combining a genetic algorithm (GA) and simulation for planning the layout of material yard laydown areas. An optimized material yard layout entails efficiency in terms of time and cost for decision makers who seek increased performance in material handling, availability, and accessibility. Laying out materials on yards is mostly performed reactively in current practice, where the planner decides daily where to position the incoming materials, based on the list of material arrival and required materials for consumption, received daily. This policy cannot account for the dynamism of material flow in and out of the yard during a construction project. In contrast, a proactive materials placement policy can be used to address this concern based on incoming and outgoing material schedules for a certain period of time. This paper aims to evaluate the proactive material placement policy and present an integrated framework to determine the optimum layout for...