Comparison of Using Mixed-Integer Programming and Genetic Algorithms for Construction Site Facility Layout Planning
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 136, Issue 10
Abstract
The use of modular construction has gained wide acceptance in the industry. For a specific construction facility layout problem such as site precast standardized modular units, it requires the establishment of an on-site precast yard. Arranging the precast facilities within a construction site presents real challenge to site management. This complex task is further augmented with the involvement of several resources and different transport costs. A genetic algorithm (GA) model was developed for the search of a near-optimal layout solution. Another approach using mixed-integer programming (MIP) has been developed to generate optimal facility layout. These two approaches are applied to solve with an example in this paper to demonstrate that the solution quality of MIP outperforms that of GA. Further, another scenario with additional location constraints can also be solved readily by MIP, which, however, if modeled by GA, the solution process would be complicated. The study has highlighted that MIP can perform better than GA in site facility layout problems in which the site facilities and locations can be represented by a set of integer variables.
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Acknowledgments
The work described in this paper was fully supported by a strategic research grant from City University of Hong Kong (Project No. UNSPECIFIED7001967) and the GRF Fundings from Research Grants Council, Hong Kong (Project Nos. UNSPECIFIED9041231 and UNSPECIFIED9041157).
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 136 • Issue 10 • October 2010
Pages: 1116 - 1128
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Oct 27, 2008
Accepted: Mar 9, 2010
Published online: Sep 15, 2010
Published in print: Oct 2010
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