A multi-start random constructive heuristic for the container loading problem

This paper deals with the container loading problem which involves the selection of a subset of boxes, each box with a given volume, such that they fit in a single container and maximize its volume utilization subject to orientation and stability constraints. We propose a multi-start random constructive heuristic with a load arrangement that is based on maximal cuboids that fit in given empty spaces. Each instance is adaptively evaluated by a set of criteria, and at each step of the construction process one maximal cuboid is chosen probabilistically from a restricted list of candidates. In order to enhance the flexibility in the construction of a solution, a probabilistic reduction on such cuboids is allowed. Computational tests on several instances from the literature show that the proposed method performs better than other approaches.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Araújo,Olinto César Bassi de, Armentano,Vinícius Amaral
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Operacional 2007
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0101-74382007000200007
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