vi
Preface
We focus on mathematical optimization-based approaches for facility layout,
including both linear and nonlinear models. We assume that the reader is familiar
with the basics of building such models, as presented, for example, by Williams
(2013). The classic text by Horn and Johnson (1990) provides essential background
for the more advanced topics discussed in the Appendix.
It is important to realize that nearly all variants of facility layout are NP-hard,
so solving these problems to global optimality in a reasonable time is generally
difficult. Therefore, in addition to presenting exact methods, we consider how
mathematical optimization can be used to obtain approximate solutions, via either
convex relaxations or optimization-based heuristics. Beyond the approaches that
we present, there is a rich literature on heuristic algorithms that do not apply
mathematical optimization. We refer the reader to the survey papers of Meller
and Gau (1996), Singh and Sharma (2006), Kothari and Ghosh (2012), and more
recently Keller and Buscher (2015) and Anjos and Vieira (2017).
With the exception of Chap. 1, we have placed all the relevant references to the
literature in the last section of each chapter. This makes it possible for the interested
reader to pursue the ideas presented in greater depth while not interrupting the flow
of ideas in the text.
We thank Grazia Speranza and José Fernando Oliveira for the opportunity to
contribute this book in the EURO Advanced Tutorials on Operational Research
series.
Facility layout is an exciting and thriving area of operations research. We hope
that this book will make it better known and convince others to explore these
surprisingly difficult and challenging problems!
Edinburgh, UK
Miguel F. Anjos
Caparica, Portugal
Manuel V. C. Vieira
November 2020
References
Anjos MF, Vieira MVC (2017) Mathematical optimization approaches for facility
layout problems: The state-of-the-art and future research directions. Eur J Oper
Res 261(1):1–16
Horn R, Johnson C (1990) Matrix analysis. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Keller B, Buscher U (2015) Single row layout models. Eur J Oper Res 245(3):629–
644
Kothari R, Ghosh D (2012) The single row facility layout problem: State of the art.
Opsearch 49(4):442–462
Meller RD, Gau KY (1996) The facility layout problem: Recent and emerging trends
and perspectives. J Manuf Syst 15(5):351–366
Singh SP, Sharma RR (2006) A review of different approaches to the facility layout
problems. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 30(5–6):425–433
Williams HP (2013) Model building in mathematical programming. Wiley
Preface
We focus on mathematical optimization-based approaches for facility layout,
including both linear and nonlinear models. We assume that the reader is familiar
with the basics of building such models, as presented, for example, by Williams
(2013). The classic text by Horn and Johnson (1990) provides essential background
for the more advanced topics discussed in the Appendix.
It is important to realize that nearly all variants of facility layout are NP-hard,
so solving these problems to global optimality in a reasonable time is generally
difficult. Therefore, in addition to presenting exact methods, we consider how
mathematical optimization can be used to obtain approximate solutions, via either
convex relaxations or optimization-based heuristics. Beyond the approaches that
we present, there is a rich literature on heuristic algorithms that do not apply
mathematical optimization. We refer the reader to the survey papers of Meller
and Gau (1996), Singh and Sharma (2006), Kothari and Ghosh (2012), and more
recently Keller and Buscher (2015) and Anjos and Vieira (2017).
With the exception of Chap. 1, we have placed all the relevant references to the
literature in the last section of each chapter. This makes it possible for the interested
reader to pursue the ideas presented in greater depth while not interrupting the flow
of ideas in the text.
We thank Grazia Speranza and José Fernando Oliveira for the opportunity to
contribute this book in the EURO Advanced Tutorials on Operational Research
series.
Facility layout is an exciting and thriving area of operations research. We hope
that this book will make it better known and convince others to explore these
surprisingly difficult and challenging problems!
Edinburgh, UK
Miguel F. Anjos
Caparica, Portugal
Manuel V. C. Vieira
November 2020
References
Anjos MF, Vieira MVC (2017) Mathematical optimization approaches for facility
layout problems: The state-of-the-art and future research directions. Eur J Oper
Res 261(1):1–16
Horn R, Johnson C (1990) Matrix analysis. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Keller B, Buscher U (2015) Single row layout models. Eur J Oper Res 245(3):629–
644
Kothari R, Ghosh D (2012) The single row facility layout problem: State of the art.
Opsearch 49(4):442–462
Meller RD, Gau KY (1996) The facility layout problem: Recent and emerging trends
and perspectives. J Manuf Syst 15(5):351–366
Singh SP, Sharma RR (2006) A review of different approaches to the facility layout
problems. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 30(5–6):425–433
Williams HP (2013) Model building in mathematical programming. Wiley