Layout Planning Research Articles

Automated Layout Design of Hydraulic Components With Constraints on Flow Channels

Abstract The lightweight design of hydraulic equipment has always been of vital interest. Additive manufacturing (AM) technology can meet the manufacturing requirements of heteroideus and lightweight hydraulic equipment. However, traditional layout optimization often cannot satisfy the functional constraints of hydraulic components. This article proposes a design method of function-based automatic layout optimization for hydraulic components to solve this problem. The proposed method combines multi-component layout optimization with flow-up channel path planning and uses the triangular mesh model of hydraulic components directly as layout units. The spatial pose of the layout unit is used as the gene sequence for a genetic algorithm (GA). To meet the functional constraints, this study also proposes a fast, accurate collision detection algorithm for irregular 3D models and the generating strategy for follow-up flow channels. Here, the volume of the layout units, the total centroid radius of the layout plan, the length of flow channels, and the pressure loss are taken as the objective functions, and an automatic layout optimization algorithm for hydraulic components is developed. By optimizing the initial layout plan of an aviation electro-hydrostatic actuator (EHA), the characteristic volume of the optimized layout is reduced by 30.68% and the total length of the flow channels is decreased by 39.53%, demonstrating the efficiency of this method for lightweight hydraulic equipment design.

Digital twin water conservancy early warning system based on physical level and numerical simulation in intelligent water conservancy construction

Abstract. In 2023, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and The State Council issued the Overall Layout Plan for the Construction of Digital China, emphasizing the construction of a smart water conservancy system with digital twin basins as the core. The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region government has clearly proposed to actively build a "digital twin Pinglu Canal", and attaches great importance to the construction of digital twin platform application services during the construction of the Western land-Sea New Passage (Pinglu) canal. Aiming at the problems such as unsatisfactory early warning effect, inaccurate data and imprecise model of existing smart water conservancy technology, this paper proposes a digital twin system for disaster early warning based on physical level and numerical simulation technology, establishes a visual digital water conservancy model and digital twin smart water conservancy cloud platform, and combines multi-physics field and multi-dimensional coupling algorithm to respond to technical pain points. To achieve scientific and accurate monitoring and intelligent management, and contribute to the construction of digitally empowered Pinglu Canal.

Integration and Evaluation of a Digital Support Function for Space Claims in Factory Layout Planning

Planning and designing factory layouts are frequently performed within virtual environments, relying on inputs from various cross-disciplinary activities e.g., product development, manufacturing process planning, resource descriptions, ergonomics, and safety. The success of this process heavily relies on the expertise of the practitioners performing the task. Studies have shown that layout planning often hinges on the practitioners’ knowledge and interpretation of current rules and requirements. As there is significant variability in this knowledge and interpretation, there is a risk that decisions are made on incorrect grounds. Consequently, the layout planning process depends on individual proficiency. In alignment with Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 principles, there is a growing emphasis on providing practitioners involved in industrial development processes with efficient decision support tools. This paper presents a digital support function integrated into a virtual layout planning tool, developed to support practitioners in considering current rules and requirements for space claims in the layout planning process. This digital support function was evaluated by industry practitioners and stakeholders involved in the factory layout planning process. This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to provide advanced digital support to layout planners, enhancing objectivity and efficiency in the layout planning process while bridging cross-disciplinary gaps.

Enhancing healthcare operations: a systematic literature review onapproaches for hospital facility layout planning.

The appropriate physical layout of hospital services can help resolve management problems by streamlining the work of medical teams, improving the flow of patients between specific areas and the medical support environment. Nevertheless, the academic literature lacks structured research into how the physical layout of hospitals might be improved. Our study aims to fill this research gap, providing information for researchers and professionals who intend to guide the hospital facility layout planning (HFLP) from the steps and prescribed approaches found in the literature. This study analyzes the current literature status and concerning approaches that support HFLP and identifies their strengths and weaknesses. The literature was classified using the following criteria: approaches for layout generation, approaches for layout evaluation and healthcare facility layout outcomes. The hospital facility layout outcomes achieved for each phase served as a basis for identifying a list of strengths and weaknesses for the hospital layout facility generation and evaluation approaches. Readers can refer to this paper to identify the approach that best fits the desired goal and the HFLP step. This is a contribution to current studies into HFLP, and it provides guidelines for selecting the approach to be utilized based on the desired outcome. The paper describes how to conduct an HFLP and lists the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. The research may be used as a strategy for determining which tool is most suited based on the practitioner's target purpose.

Refined Identification of Urban Functional Zones Integrating Multisource Data Features: A Case Study of Lanzhou, China

Identifying urban functional zones is one of the important foundational activities for urban renewal and the development of high-quality urban areas. Efficient and accurate identification methods for urban functional zones are significant for smart city planning and industrial layout optimization. However, existing studies have not adequately considered the impact of the interactions between human activities and geographical space provision on the delineation of urban functional zones. Therefore, from the perspective of integrating the spatiotemporal characteristics of human activities with the distribution of urban functional facilities, by incorporating mobile signaling, POI (point of interest), and building outline data, we propose a multifactorial weighted kernel density model that integrates ‘human activity–land feature area–public awareness’ to delineate urban functional zones quantitatively. The results show that the urban functional zones in the central city area of Lanzhou are primarily characterized by dominant single functional zones nested within mixed functional zones, forming a spatial pattern of ‘single–mixed’ synergistic development. Mixed function zones are widely distributed in the center of Lanzhou City. However, the area accounted for a relatively small proportion, the overall degree of functional mixing is not high, and the inter-district differences are obvious. The confusion matrix showed 85% accuracy and a Kappa coefficient of 0.83.

Systematic Layout Planning and Analytical Hierarchy Process for Laboratory Layout Optimization: A Case Study of DESPRIN

The Product Design and Innovation Laboratory (DESPRIN) at Del Institute of Technology plays a crucial role in supporting innovation. Yet, its current layout struggles to meet its users' diverse and evolving needs. This study addresses the problem of inadequate spatial configuration, which hampers workflow efficiency, ergonomics, and the lab's overall capacity to accommodate various activities. To resolve this issue, a flexible layout is designed using the Systematic Layout Planning (SLP) method, emphasizing optimizing space utilization, workflow, and spatial adaptability. Data collected from literature reviews, interviews, statistical analyses, and anthropometric measurements inform the design process to enhance the lab’s quality and spatial efficiency. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is employed to prioritize key layout design factors, identifying capacity as the most critical element (0.4930), followed by facilities (0.1688), accessibility (0.1414), security (0.1270), and environment (0.0708). The study results in 13 new layout configurations that can accommodate various activities within DESPRIN, providing a more dynamic and responsive user environment.

Optimization and adjustment of indoor acoustic environment of theatre - Taking Guangzhou design capital-design hall theatre as an example

Theater is a place for all kinds of performing arts, and its design and function are usually diversified to meet the needs of different types of performances. odeon software is calculated with the sound source method and sound line tracking method, and adopts the Lambert scattering algorithm to calculate the sound diffusion, so that the simulation process is more and more realistic, and the calculated results are closer to the actual measured values. using odeon software to simulate the Using ODEON software to simulate the Guangzhou Design Capital - Design Hall Theater, according to the simulation results, the reverberation time is relatively short and other issues such as corresponding adjustments and recommendations, to give the Guangzhou Design Capital - Design Hall Theater indoor sound-absorbing material layout plan.

Innovative methods in the construction of digital twin factory

The digital twin factory is the digital twin model of the physical factory. It can accurately reflect the physical world. In the early stage of building an intelligent factory, it is very meaningful to design a digital twin model of a physical factory through process planning, logistics optimization, layout planning, and so on, to shorten the time of building and debugging a physical factory. This paper takes the construction of an intelligent factory for laptop assembly as an example. Firstly, construct the model of the laptop disassembly/assembly graph. Because assembly is the reverse process of disassembly, the algorithm is used to plan the assembly sequence of the laptop. After that, the digital twin model of the laptop assembly line according to the laptop assembly process sequence. Subsequently, time series optimization was used to optimize the bottleneck process of the model, resulting in a 424% increase in output. Lastly, we explain the modules and steps used to build the physical laptop factory. This paper innovatively takes the laptop assembly process sequence as the main line of factory construction and takes the bottleneck process time chain optimization as the breakthrough of capacity improvement, which verifies the important role and significance of digital twin factories in constructing intelligent factories. It provides a basis for the promotion and application of digital twin technology in constructing intelligent factories.

Optimization of industrial layout in airport economic zone through government-enterprise interaction

To avoid the issue of industrial layout plans in Airport Economic Zones (AEZs) being hard to implement due to mismatched the land supply and demand, it is necessary to clarify industrial layout factors that the government (land supplier) and locating enterprises (land demanders) focus on. This study constructs a AEZ's industrial layout optimization model from the government's perspective and enterprises’ locating utility. Based on the Gale-Shapley algorithm, aiming at eliminating blocking pairs, we establish government-enterprise interacting rules and coordinating mechanisms, corresponding to two types of government-enterprise interactions, namely public consultation and investment promotion joint meeting. According to government transparency and enterprise participation, the optimization model and Agent-Based Model are adopted in the combination to simulate the government-enterprise interactions in the decision-making of industrial layout in AEZ, under two interaction rules of “enterprises provide feedback in one go - the government makes revisions in one go” and “enterprises provide feedback one by one - the government makes revisions one by one”, respectively. By analyzing the changing curves of their objective functions, the equilibrium point where both parties can reach an agreement is identified, and the industrial layout scheme in AEZ is determined that will be mutually accepted. It is found that positive interaction with high government transparency and high enterprise participation will help improve the rationality of the industrial layout in AEZ, maximizing the efficiency of spatial allocation of elements and resources.

Rancangan Tata Letak Fasilitas Untuk Meminimalkan Jarak Material Handling (Studi Kasus CV. Dholpin Industries)

Dholpin Industries is a manufacturing company that produces furniture. This research aims to improve and create a new layout design for CV. Dholpin Industries, which considers the optimal material handling movement distance, creates alternative layout designs and compares distances from the initial and proposed layouts. This research uses the Systematic Layout Planning (SLP) method, Blocplan Software, and the Computerized Relationship Layout Planning (CORELAP) algorithm. The results of calculating the material handling movement distance in the initial layout were 193,116 m; in the proposed layout using the Systematic Layout Planning (SLP) method, it was 168,278 m; in the Blocplan Software, it was 139,348 m; and in the Computerized Relationship Layout Planning (CORELAP) Algorithm it was 130,240 m. Then, the most optimal namely using the Computerized Relationship Layout Planning (CORELAP) Algorithm method with distance saving 62.876 m.

Study on the planning and scheduling strategies of the hydrogen supply network for road transportation in deep decarbonization scenarios

As the energy decarbonization continues to advance, hydrogen is gaining momentum. With the increasing demand for hydrogen and the lack of hydrogen infrastructure, it is urgent to solve the problem of hydrogen supply network layout planning. In order to reduce redundant construction of hydrogen supply network infrastructure and increase the rationality of its layout, this paper conducts research on the optimal layout planning of hydrogen supply network infrastructure in the transportation sector. By constructing a two-stage real-time scheduling model of hydrogen supply network, the unit cost composition of hydrogen supply network is more complete and accurate, and the location, technology type and quantity of each link of hydrogen supply network are obtained. The results show that the unit cost of China's hydrogen supply network is 27.8 CNY/kg in 2035 and 19.04 CNY/kg in 2050 under the baseline scenario. Compared with the results of existing literature, the two-stage real-time scheduling model can reduce by 7 % of the hydrogen energy supply network unit cost by decreasing the transportation vehicles and the investment capacity of fixed hydrogen storage equipment. The proposed method of the hydrogen supply network planning can provide policy-makers with the selection of sustainability pathways for dynamic hydrogen infrastructure development planning.

Study on the Characteristics of Community Elderly Care Service Facilities Usage and Optimization Design Based on Life Cycle Theory

Abstract: As the aging population in China increases, home-based elderly care is set to become the main mode of elderly care in the future. The construction of community elderly care service facilities is receiving more and more attention from society. Currently, residential area design standards in China lack clear guidance on the spatial planning of facilities, which will lead to unreasonable facility layout planning and insufficient convenience in the utilization of facilities by the elderly. Fully considering the distribution characteristics of community elderly care service facilities and the needs of the community life circle when planning residential areas can effectively solve this problem. This study takes Xi’an City as the research object, based on the theory of life circle, through questionnaire surveys and cluster analysis, analyzes the current situation of the construction of elderly care service facilities and the characteristics of the use by the elderly. Combined with the community life circle model, the study scope is divided into community life circle levels, and put forward the planning strategies of coverage rate, number, richness, and spatial layout of the facilities, respectively. These strategies are designed to enhance the quality of life for seniors, ensuring that they have access to essential support and resources within their communities. It demonstrated that middle-aged elderly prefer community canteens and activity centers, while those with limited mobility and multiple chronic diseases have a higher demand for health service centers and community canteens. The utilization weight analysis shows that vegetable markets and supermarkets are most frequently used, whereas health service centers are the least utilized. The research proposes strategic planning enhancements, including full coverage of basic facilities, targeted increases in high-demand facilities, and tailored facilities for elderly characteristics. It recommends cross-community layouts to ensure service radius coverage, development reservations for future needs, and quality improvements to address the low satisfaction rates of existing facilities. The study concludes that a targeted approach to facility planning, considering the elderly’s diverse needs, can enhance the community elderly care service system’s sustainability and effectiveness.

Tank pool fire domino effect prevention by inherently safer layout planning: A techno-economic analytical index

Tank pool fire domino effects, represented by their capacities of accident consequence escalation and extensive damages, present substantial safety challenges within chemical storage systems. In this work, the inherent safety concept is introduced to proactively address these challenges while ensuring cost-effectiveness. Accordingly, a dedicated novel metric called Inherent Safety & Economic Risk Index (IS&ERI) is proposed to make safety and cost trade-offs for indicating the risk levels of various tank farm layout options. To develop the IS&ERI, the Dow's loss estimate procedure is adapted for representing the economic implications, and the Bayesian Networks are employed for indicating the failure probabilities of target units considering the synergistic effects of multiple pool fires. Two improved graph theory metrics are presented to determine the root nodes of the Bayesian Networks. For demonstrating the proposed IS&ERI, a case study is conducted and the results show that the IS&ERI of 4 tank farm layout options are 0.2991, 0.3120, 0.3525, and 0.2285, implying that Option 4 is the best layout with the lowest potential loss in case of the pool fire domino effects. As the key research contribution, the IS&ERI is presented and it can be used as a useful tool to compare and select the best tank farm layout option to eliminate or significantly reduce the knock-on effects of tank pool fires at their sources.

Acoustic discoveries of the Carinthian Gate theatre (Kärntnertortheater) of Vienna: on the trace of a lost artistical building heritage

Throughout history, many cultural heritage buildings of important value have been lost due to natural disasters as well as human causes (e.g. fire, war destruction, change of use etc.). The needs to build a larger theatre, as occurred in Vienna, addressed the Carinthian Gate theatre to have different room functions, while currently is considered the house of Sacher cake at international level. This paper deals with the discovery of the acoustic response of one of the most important theatres of Vienna. The realization of a 3D model that reproduces the architectural features allows the authors to perform acoustic simulations that reveal the sound environment that would be perceived by the audience during artistic performances at the end of eighteenth century in Vienna. In addition, the simulated results of the main acoustic parameters have been compared with the values of other opera theatres provided with similar dimensions and architectural features, as already studied by the authors. The results indicate an overall acoustic response, as typical of horseshoe shape plan layout theatres with the values of clarity found very close or within the optimal range, the sound strength ranging between 4 and 11 dB, and the reverberation time close to 1.5 s, in line with the criteria of opera theatre based on the room volume of the main hall and finished materials applied to the surfaces of the 3D model.

Assembly Line Integration as a Lever for Efficiency and Space Utilization in Automotive Parts Production

Optimizing space in manufacturing is essential because space is both limited and expensive. Efficient use of space improves productivity, efficiency, and factory layout planning. The aim is to reduce the area used while increasing the value generated per unit of space, aligning with lean manufacturing principles that focus on value-adding activities and minimizing waste, including wasted space. In manufacturing, space optimization involves analyzing areas that add value, support operations, or cause waste. Key considerations include workspace design, safety clearances, and the overlap of functional areas, which can complicate space utilization. Effective floor space planning compares different layout options and measures space usage across categories to find the most efficient arrangement. Simple layout changes can greatly improve space efficiency by up to 80% without requiring large investments. This is crucial for boosting production efficiency and adapting to challenges, like those presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the need for flexible and efficient use of space to maintain safety and operations.

Precise Positioning of Distributed Power Supply in Smart Microgrids for High-latitude Areas

This paper focuses on the precise micro-location of distributed power sources in smart microgrids at high latitudes. It first clarifies the strategic position of microgrids in power systems, especially in complex environments at high latitudes, and emphasizes the urgency of their location. Subsequently, it systematically reviews the research trends of smart microgrid and distributed power supply domestically and internationally, revealing the limitations of existing research and problems to be solved. The unique climate adaptability and power supply-demand characteristics of microgrids in this region are deeply analyzed according to the characteristics of high latitude, clarifying the key role of distributed power supply. The core discussion revolves around examining the application potential and limitations of mainstream distributed energy sources such as solar energy, wind energy, and energy storage devices in a specific environment. The aim is to provide a theoretical basis and practical guidance for scientific planning and optimal layout of smart microgrids in high-latitude regions while promoting innovation and development in this field.

Systematic Layout Planning to Improve Facility Layout in Small and Medium Food Enterprise

The absence of a structured method for revamping current or introducing new production layouts in small and medium-sized enterprises may hinder the flexibility and competitiveness of the enterprise. This study aimed to assess the existing production layout and offer improvement recommendations for a small and medium-sized food enterprise in East Java, Indonesia. Data was obtained through interviews with the owner and observation at the production site. The research employed systematic layout planning, utilizing activity relationship charts and diagrams. The findings presented two alternative suggestions for the production facility layout, with the study recommending the second alternative based on an evaluation of criteria. The second proposed alternative exhibited a total material handling distance per week of 1,812 and a total material handling cost of 17,961.96 rupiah, lower than the first proposed alternative. The managerial implications of this study pertain to the construction of facilities with a focus on technical and hygiene requirements, the design and layout of buildings and rooms, and the requirements for machinery, equipment, and transportation to ensure product quality and safety.

Hybrid Intelligent Model for Estimating the Cost of Huizhou Replica Traditional Vernacular Dwellings

Amidst the backdrop of rural revitalization and cultural renaissance, there is a surge in the construction demand for replica traditional vernacular dwellings. Traditional cost estimation methods struggle to meet the need for rapid and precise estimation due to the complexity inherent in their construction. To address this challenge, this study aims to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of cost estimation by innovatively developing an Adaptive Self-Explanatory Convolutional Neural Network (ASCNN) model, tailored to meet the specific cost estimation needs of replica traditional vernacular dwellings in the Huizhou region. The ASCNN model employs a Random Forest model to filter key features, inputs these into the CNN for cost estimation, and utilizes Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to optimize parameters, thereby improving predictive accuracy. The decision-making process of the model is thoroughly interpreted through SHAP value analysis, ensuring credibility and transparency. During the construction of the ASCNN model, this study collected and analyzed bidding control price data from 98 replica traditional vernacular dwellings. The empirical results demonstrate that the ASCNN model exhibits outstanding predictive performance on the test set, with a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 9828.06 yuan, a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 0.6%, and a Coefficient of Determination (R2) as high as 0.989, confirming the model’s high predictive accuracy and strong generalization capability. Through SHAP value analysis, this study further identifies key factors such as floor plan layout, roof area, and column material coefficient that are central to cost prediction. The ASCNN model proposed in this study not only significantly improves the accuracy of cost estimation for Huizhou replica traditional vernacular dwellings, but also enhances its transparency and credibility through model interpretation methods, providing a reliable basis for related investment decisions. The findings of this study also offer valuable references and insights for rapid and precise cost estimation of replica buildings in other regions worldwide.

The impact of the urban landscape on PM2.5 from LCZ perspective: A case study of Shenyang

Based on the World City Database Access Portal tool (WUDAPT), the local Climate zoning (LCZ) classification of Shenyang(China) was carried out. With 8 environmental monitoring stations at the observation of the study area, LCZ landscape categories in the buffer zone of 500 m, 1000 m, and 3000 m were analyzed using ArcMap and Fragstats. The sensitivity analysis of the landscape category index correlated with PM2.5 was conducted to select the representativeness index. Matlab was used to construct the regression equation between the LCZ categories and PM2.5. The results show that AI_500, LSI_500, PD_500, LSI_1000, AI_1000, LSI_3000, and AI_3000 can be used as representative landscape indices to represent the aggregation and diversity of LCZ categories. The regression equations for PM2.5 in all four seasons include factors influencing the LCZ category landscape. This study analyzed the relationship between PM2.5 distribution and urban patterns from the perspective of the LCZ types. It provided the scientific reference for rational planning of urban layout and coordination of environment and urban development.

Ground motion parameters and damage correlation in plan irregular L-shape steel structure with BRB

Irregularly designed structures frequently experience greater damage compared to regular buildings as a result of elevated torsional reactions and stress concentration, as indicated by evaluations of damage carried out subsequent to past seismic events. The irregularities in the plan configuration provide significant issues for building seismic design. One example of an irregularity is the re-entrant corners found in L-shaped structures, which can lead to early collapse by causing stress concentration from abrupt changes in stiffness and torsional response amplification. More than ever, a thorough investigation into the relationship between the issue of ground motion parameters (GMPs) and Damage is required because of the complex way that L-shaped buildings respond to earthquakes. The current study examines the relationship between a large number of commonly used GMPs and the associated damage for three-, six-, nine-, and twelve-story 3D buildings—that is, low-, mid, and high-rise structures—with asymmetric L-shaped plan layouts. The system of lateral load resistance that was used was Buckling Restrained Brace Frames (BRBFs). To assess a building's seismic performance, 15 bidirectional earthquake ground motions were applied using Nonlinear Time History Analysis (NTHA) for incident angles of 0°, 45°, 135°, 225°, and 315°. The structural response is reported in terms of the average and maximum inter-story drift as well as the total Park-Ang damage index. The relationship between GMPs and structural damage was then investigated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The results indicate that the highest link with damage measurements is found for 3- and 6-story structures when looking at the spectral acceleration at the fundamental period, Sa(T1). However, PGD and SMV exhibit a stronger correlation than other GMPs for structures with nine and twelve stories. Additionally, Classification and Regression Trees (CART) is a decision tree algorithm used for predictive modeling. In this study suggested using CART (Classification and Regression Trees) algorithms to estimate the link between GMPs and Damage Indices. The findings demonstrate the ability of CART algorithms to extract the rules and correlations governing earthquake damage.