Analysis, modeling and solution of the concrete delivery problem

A Logic Based Benders’ Approach to the Concrete Delivery Problem

“…A generalization of the CDP problem discussed in this paper is treated in Asbach et al (2009). Next to the constraints discussed in Section 2, Asbach et al (2009) consider vehicle synchronization at the loading depots, vehicles with specialized equipment, and additional time lags between deliveries for a single customer.…”

“…In contrast to our work, their objective is to satisfy all customers, while minimizing total tardiness. Similar to Asbach et al (2009), Schmid et al (2009 and Schmid et al (2010) also consider orders requiring vehicles with special equipment to be present during the entire delivery process, e.g. a pump or conveyor.…”

“…Here we do not explicitly consider these constraints, as they can simply be incorporated in our model by modifying the arcs or costs in the underlying routing graph (Section 2). Asbach et al (2009) present a MIP model to their problem, but solving it through Branch-and-Bound turned out intractable; instead, a heuristic procedure is used. The aforementioned MIP model served as the basis for the MIP approach in Kinable et al (2013).…”

“…Next to the constraints discussed in Section 2, Asbach et al (2009) consider vehicle synchronization at the loading depots, vehicles with specialized equipment, and additional time lags between deliveries for a single customer. In addition, Asbach et al (2009) add constraints ensuring that some customers only receive concrete from a subset of production stations, and constraints limiting the time that concrete may reside in the vehicle's drum. Here we do not explicitly consider these constraints, as they can simply be incorporated in our model by modifying the arcs or costs in the underlying routing graph (Section 2).…”

Regression model for predicting productivity of RC slab concreting process

“…Cooperation between the contractor and concrete plant must be conducted in such a way to ensure proper conditions for concrete placement, which is why a good planning and synchronization is necessary. However, on the one hand, the contractor must order a sufficient quantity of concrete in a timely manner so as to ensure maximum productivity on the construction site while, on the other hand, concrete plant attempts to deliver concrete for several projects simultaneously so as to increase its own productivity [4]. A proper balance between the two sides can not easily be achieved because of the nature of concrete, coordination of concrete plant performance and pump performance, limited number of mixers, varying capacities of mixers, etc.…”