Optimizing Material Procurement and Storage on Construction Sites
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 137, Issue 6
Abstract
Efficient planning of materials procurement and storage on construction sites can lead to significant improvements in construction productivity and project profitability. Existing research studies focus on material procurement and storage layout as two separate planning tasks without considering their critical and mutual interdependencies. This paper presents the development of a new optimization model for construction logistics planning that is capable of simultaneously integrating and optimizing the critical planning decisions of material procurement and material storage on construction sites. The model utilizes genetic algorithms to minimize construction logistics costs that cover material ordering, financing, stock-out, and layout costs. The model incorporates newly developed algorithms to estimate the impact of potential material shortages on-site because of late delivery on project delays and stock-out costs. An application example is analyzed to demonstrate the capabilities of the construction logistics planning model in simultaneously optimizing material procurement decisions and storage layout plans.
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Acknowledgments
This material is established on work supported by the National Science Foundation under the NSF CAREER Award No. NSFCMS 0238470 and Award No. NSFCMS 0626066. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 137 • Issue 6 • June 2011
Pages: 421 - 431
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 16, 2009
Accepted: Oct 3, 2010
Published online: Oct 26, 2010
Published in print: Jun 1, 2011
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