Enhanced method to plan the operations of vertical supply systems of high-rise projects

Abstract

Logistics planning and management are integral to the successful management of construction projects. Although on-site logistics are critical to efficient project delivery, they receive less attention in terms of research. This research introduces a new method for planning on-site logistics operations utilizing vertical supply systems (VSS) in high-rise projects. This method challenges the limitations of using critical path method and Resource Constrained Project Scheduling Problem in scheduling high-rise projects. The presented method treats lifting operations as activities with durations. The method presents a new classification of lifting activities based on their relation to other works, and it prioritizes the assignment of VSS to lifting activities based on the flexibility of VSS choice for each task. These two novel contributions allow planning construction works to match the capacity of available VSS, and it allows an efficient distribution of lifting tasks among available VSS. This method was applied to two towers in an ongoing project. The application to the first tower was during construction which allowed measuring tangible improvements on site and the other applied during the planning stage. The application of this method resulted in shorter floor cycles by 20% to 30%, less idle workers and more efficient cost control.