Interval type-2 fuzzy development of FUCOM and activity relationship charts along with MARCOS for facilities layout evaluation

This paper presents a new interval type-2 fuzzy (IT2F) multiple attribute decision making (MADM) model for evaluating facility layout alternatives. To this end, The Full Consistency Method (FUCOM) is extended to IT2F sets, and the mathematical model of IT2F-FUCOM is proposed. IT2F-FUCOM method requires a manageable number of pairwise comparisons and can deal with imprecision and uncertainty. Furthermore, the Activity Relationship Charts (ARCs), which are powerful instruments to articulate preferences regarding closeness between departments in the facility design, are also modeled through IT2F sets. The proposed IT2F-ARCs are incorporated into the decision hierarchy as a cost-type criterion, a novel integration between ARCs and the MADM is provided. Finally, the state-of-the-art IT2F MADM method of Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to the Compromise Solution (MARCOS) is utilized to rank the alternatives. A real-life case study is conducted in order to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed model.