Abstract
Existing SCS (space-constrained scheduling) studies fall short of minimizing the effect of the stacking of trades that decline productivity due to an increase in resources within a physically limited work area. This article presents a space-constrained scheduling optimization (i.e., SSO) method for minimizing the stacking of trades. It imports schedule information from the project database, extracts IFC files of construction site area from the BIM model, defines the occupation density function of each activity to track the level of stacking of trades, and identifies the optimal solution (i.e., the optimal set of pairs of execution pattern alternatives and start times of activities) by implementing genetic algorithm (GA) optimization analysis. The study is of value to practitioners because SSO provides an easy-to-use computerized tool that reduces the lengthy computations relative to data processing and GAs. Test cases verify the validity of the computational method.
Highlights
Construction projects are carried out by various resources, which are allocated according to the schedule plan
The user classifies the entire site into specific work areas by considering the characteristics of the workspace and defines the occupation density function of each activity according to the attributes of each activity, allocated resources, and the rate of progress
SSO identifies an optimal space-constrained schedule using a genetic algorithm (GA) optimization analysis technique. This method was developed as a MATLAB-based software, and users can operate the system by inputting the aforementioned information (i.e., Primavera 6 (P6) and building information model (BIM) model interlinkage, specific work areas, occupation density function, and GA parameters)
Summary
Construction projects are carried out by various resources (e.g., workers, equipment, and materials), which are allocated according to the schedule plan. Studies on construction productivity [8,9,10,11,12] have asserted that an increase in resources (e.g., workers, equipment, and materials) in a limited work area leads to declines in productivity Previous studies called this phenomenon “stacking of trades.” [8,9,10,11,12]. It is necessary to have an SCS method that determines whether work areas with a certain predefined size are occupied as activities are executed, estimates the density of work areas, forecasts to what extent productivity declines when the work area is occupied simultaneously by multiple activities, and identifies a solution for minimizing workspace interference.
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