An optimal approach for maximizing the number of adjacencies in multi floor layout problem

Multi-floor facility layout problem concerns the arrangement of departments on the different floors. In this paper, a new mathematical model is proposed for multi-floor layout with unequal department area. Maximising the number of useful adjacencies among departments is considered as the objective function. The adjacencies are divided into two major categories: horizontal and vertical adjacencies. The horizontal adjacency may be occurred between the departments assigned to same floors while the vertical can be happened between departments assigned to any consecutive floors. A minimum common boundary length (surface area) between any two horizontal (vertical) adjacent departments is specified. The efficiency of the model is demonstrated by six illustrative examples. The proposed model is practical in multi-floor plant where the existence of adjacencies between departments is useful or essential due to possible establishment of conveyor, transferring pipes, lift truck route, etc.