OPTIMAL ASSIGNMENT OF PRECAST COMPONENTS TO MINIMIZE CURING COST

Efficient production of precast concrete components is essential for transportation infrastructure projects, where strict schedule compliance and effective cost management directly influence project feasibility and contractor performance. This study develops a method to minimize the curing cost that effectively maximizes pallet capacity utilization during the curing process of precast concrete manufacturing. The model incorporates practical operational constraints, including demand satisfaction, mold availability, pallet dimensions, spacing requirements between components, weight limits, and labor-related loading and unloading costs, while allowing multiple component geometries to be arranged within a single pallet configuration. By dynamically adjusting pallet layouts across successive production cycles, the framework captures demand variability, resource limitations, and operational uncertainties inherent in real precast plants. The proposed approach improves pallet space usage, reduces unnecessary pallet cycles, lowers curing energy consumption, and minimizes labor expenses without compromising curing quality or structural performance. Validation using real-world industry data demonstrates measurable reductions in curing-related costs and significant improvements in overall resource utilization and production efficiency. Beyond the curing stage, the optimized pallet layout structures provide a systematic spatial foundation that can be extended to enhance mold placement during casting and improve storage layout planning after demolding. As a result, the model supports integrated decision-making across curing, mold utilization, and storage operations. The proposed framework offers a scalable, data-driven decision-support tool that strengthens precast production planning and enhances the reliability and efficiency of transportation infrastructure delivery systems.