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In this paper we formulate the problem of packing unequal rectangles/squares into a fixed size circular container as a mixed-integer nonlinear program. Here we pack rectangles so as to maximise some objective (e.g. maximise the number of rectangles packed or maximise the total area of the rectangles packed). We show how we can eliminate a nonlinear maximisation term that arises in one of the constraints in our formulation. We indicate the amendments that can be made to the formulation for the special case where we are maximising the number of squares packed. A formulation space search heuristic is presented and computational results given for publicly available test problems involving up to 30 rectangles/squares. Our heuristic deals with the case where the rectangles are of fixed orientation (so cannot be rotated) and with the case where the rectangles can be rotated through ninety degrees.

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In this paper we consider the problem of packing a fixed number of identical circles inside the unit circle container, where the packing is complicated by the presence of fixed size circular prohibited areas. Here the objective is to maximise the radius of the identical circles. We present a heuristic for the problem based upon formulation space search. Computational results are given for six test problems involving the packing of up to 100 circles. One test problem has a single prohibited area made up from the union of circles of different sizes. Four test problems are annular containers, which have a single inner circular prohibited area. One test problem has circular prohibited areas that are disconnected.