Integrated multi-objective evolutionary optimization of production layout scenarios for parametric structural design of flexible industrial buildings

Due to product individualization, customization and rapid technological advances in manufac-turing, production systems are faced with frequent reconfiguration and expansion. Industrial buildings that allow changing production scenarios require flexible load-bearing structures and a coherent planning of the production layout and building systems. Yet, current production plan-ning and structural building design are mostly sequential and the data and models lack interoper-ability. In this paper, a novel parametric evolutionary design method for automated production layout generation and optimization (PLGO) is presented, producing layout scenarios to be re-spected in structural building design. Results of a state-of-the-art analysis and a case study are combined to develop a novel concept of integrated production cubes and the design space for PLGO as basis for a parametric production layout design method. The integrated production cubes concept is then translated into a parametric PLGO framework, which is tested on a pilot-project of a hygiene production facility to evaluate the framework and validate the defined con-straints and objectives. Results suggest that our framework can produce feasible production lay-out scenarios, which respect flexibility and building requirements. In future research the design process will be extended by the development of a multi-objective evolutionary optimization process for industrial buildings to provide flexible building solutions that can accommodate a se-lection of several prioritized production layouts.