Genetic Algorithm For Solving Multi-Row Facility Layout Problem Under Order Constraint

The Multi-Row Facility Layout Problem (MRFLP) is a field of operations research focused on determining the optimal arrangement of facilities in a space organized into multiple rows. This optimization problem aims to maximize operational efficiency while meeting various constraints. These constraints are crucial for modeling real-life situations and achieving an ideal and practical arrangement of facilities within the available space. Constraints in MRFLP can include considerations such as proximity relationships between facilities, space requirements, ordering constraints, and other factors specific to each problem. To handle these restrictions, this paper introduces a mixed integer linear program to formulate the MRFLP under order constraint, the objective is to minimize material flow distance while maintaining minimum clearance between facilities and achieving non-overlapping of facilities. A genetic algorithm (GA) is developed to solve and explore feasible solutions. The findings reveal that the proposed GA has consistently delivered satisfactory results across both small and large instances, underscoring its efficacy in addressing the studied problem.