A tool for solving stochastic dynamic facility layout problems with stochastic demand using either a Genetic Algorithm or modified Backtracking Search Algorithm

The Backtracking Search Algorithm (BSA) has been used to successfully solve a range of engineering problems, but it has not previously been used to solve operations management problems or the FLP. This paper outlines novel modified Backtracking Search Algorithms (mBSAs) that solved the stochastic DFLP with heterogeneous sized resources. The combination of material flow and redesign costs were minimised. Three mBSA were benchmarked against the classical BSA and a Genetic Algorithm (GA) using 11 benchmark datasets obtained from the literature. The best mBSA generated better solutions than the GA for large-size problems. The total costs for the layouts generated by the best mBSA were significantly lower than for the conventional BSA. The modifications to the BSA increased the diversity of candidate solutions, which increased the amount of exploration. The computational time required by the three mBSAs was up to 70% less than the GA.