Many-objective optimization for construction project scheduling using non-dominated sorting differential evolution algorithm based on reference points

Abstract

Project scheduling has become one of the critical concerns of the construction project's success. In recent years, global construction markets have become increasingly competitive, and the number of project stakeholders has grown significantly. These issues have required concurrently reaching competing objectives, such as optimizing the time, resources, cost, environmental impact, safety risks, and quality of a project. Several types of research efforts have focused on multiple-objective construction scheduling models to deal with these objectives. However, there is still a need to integrate all these objectives in the scheduling process to consider most aspects of a project. In order to fill this gap, a many-objective optimization model considering time, cost, resource, environmental impact, safety, and quality based on a newly developed many-objective optimization algorithm, Non-dominated Sorting Differential Evolution algorithm based on Reference points (NSDE-R) is presented in this study. To determine the most proper schedule based on project priorities, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) merged with the optimization algorithm. The proposed model's applicability demonstrated employing a case study of a building construction project.