Semester
Fall
Date of Graduation
2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Committee Chair
Avinash Unnikrishnan
Committee Co-Chair
David R. Martinelli
Committee Member
Radhey Sharma
Abstract
The objective of this thesis is to develop mathematical models for locating cross-docks in a supply chain. Cross-docking is a strategy which can help consolidate the goods in the supply chain and save costs by reducing the number of truck trips. In this thesis four optimization models were developed. First two optimization models termed Model A and Model B were deterministic models. The goal of model A was to choose exactly P locations to locate cross-docks so that the transportation and handling costs are minimized. The goal of model B is to locate as many cross-docks as needed so that total routing, handling, and facility location costs are minimized. Then we developed a chance constraint model and a recourse model which accounted for capacity uncertainties at cross-dock location. The chance constraint model accounts for day to day operational uncertainties whereas the recourse model accounts to drastic reductions in capacities due to disruptions. Extensive computational analysis was conducted on two networks with parameters consistent with real world freight operations. The results reveal that cross-docking provides significant savings when the demand sizes are small and there is more potential for consolidation. For larger demands where the potential for consolidation is less, cross-dock savings diminish. The results were found to be consistent across a variety of capacity uncertainty scenarios.
Recommended Citation
Soanpet, Anshul, "Optimization Models for Locating Cross-docks under Capacity Uncertainty" (2012). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 582.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/582