An agent-based simulation approach to the circular open dimension problem

Abstract

Cutting and packing problems generally address the cutting or packing of smaller items into a larger container object. Usually, the main methodologies used in the Circular Open Dimension Problem (CODP) are nonlinear programming methods or methods that combine different heuristics. The aim of this project is at devising and using an agent-based simulation approach to determine the length of the open rectangle in CODP; more specifically, we look into the Circular two-dimension Open Dimension Problem. Agents (circles, which can have different dimensions) were given a set of simple rules that allow them to be placed in the world (i.e. an open rectangle). These rules are inferred from the formal CODP formulation and from the behavior defined in the agents.