New Approach for Optimization of Overall Construction Schedule

This paper is concerned with one of the most important tasks in construction management—scheduling of construction project—and shows how to optimize the overall construction schedule. The current optimization methods seem to provide very little support for construction project managers, as the managers require a schedule based on the simultaneous considerations of several factors, such as investment allocation, total cost, resource supply, and weather. With a view of systematization, the paper first quantitatively analyzes the factors that influence the overall construction schedule. It then indicates that the optimization of overall construction schedule must be closely combined with the investment allocation, resource supply, and weather. The relationships between these factors are analyzed, and their mathematical submodels are established. Based on these submodels, a mathematical model is then established with the objective of the best economic benefit (the lowest construction cost). Finally, the solution of this model is provided, a computer program is developed to solve this model, and an example is taken to show the procedures of solution.