Exact and Evolutionary Algorithms for the Score-Constrained Packing Problem

One-dimensional bin packing is one of the most fundamental and widely-studied problems in operational research. In this project we focus on various extensions to this problem where, unlike the original problem, the ordering of items within each bin is of critical importance.

Two examples of practical situations can occur can be found in the publications [1] and [2] below. This project is specifically concerned with designing efficient (and perhaps exact) algorithms for special cases of these problems, extending on the research documented in [1] and [2].

1.Goulimis, C., 2004. Viewpoint: Minimum score separation - an open combinatorial problem associated with the cutting stock problem. Journal of the Operational Research Society 55, 1367-1368.
2.Lewis, R., X. Song, K. Dowsland, and J. Thompson (2011) 'An Investigation into two Bin Packing Problems with Ordering and Orientation Implications'.European Journal of Operational Research, vol. 213, pp. 52-65.