1. A 3D optimization algorithm for sustainable cutting of slabs from ornamental stone blocks
- Author
-
Stefano Bonduà, Roberto Bruno, Mohamed Elkarmoty, Elkarmoty M., Bondua S., and Bruno R.
- Subjects
Economics and Econometrics ,Sociology and Political Science ,020209 energy ,Waste minimization ,02 engineering and technology ,010501 environmental sciences ,Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law ,Classification of discontinuities ,01 natural sciences ,Intersection ,3D optimization algorithm ,0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering ,Dimension stone ,Sustainable quarrying ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Block (data storage) ,business.industry ,Revenue optimization ,Structural engineering ,Grid ,3D modeling ,Slab ,business ,Law ,Natural building ,Geology - Abstract
Ornamental stones are natural building materials, extracted from quarries, which need to be cut and processed sustainably. Natural discontinuities adversely affect the sawing/cutting of blocks into commercial-size slabs. This work presents a 3D optimization algorithm for the sawing/cutting of ornamental stone blocks. The developed algorithm is based on 3D modeling of discontinuities as data input. The algorithm search for the intersection between a 3D cutting grid formed of a determined size of slabs and the model of discontinuities leading to calculate the recovery ratio considering several cutting orientations and displacements of the 3D cutting grid. The algorithm was coded in a program named SlabCutOpt that allows speed problem solving. SlabCutOpt was implemented on a real case study of a commercial-size limestone block extracted from a quarry in Italy. A number of 37 different commercial-sizes of slabs forming 37 cutting grids were tested to investigate the optimum results in geo-environmental direction (recovery ratio) and economic direction (revenue). The findings revealed that a certain slab size gave the optimum recovery ratio, whilst another slab size provided the optimum revenue. more...
- Published
- 2020