TECHNICAL PAPERS
Dec 1, 1998

Construction Labor Productivity Modeling with Neural Networks

Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 124, Issue 6

Abstract

Construction labor productivity is affected by several factors. Modeling of construction labor productivity could be challenging when effects of multiple factors are considered simultaneously. In this paper a methodology based on the regression and neural network modeling techniques is presented for quantitative evaluation of the impact of multiple factors on productivity. The methodology is applied to develop productivity models for concrete pouring, formwork, and concrete finishing tasks, using data compiled from eight building projects. The predictive behaviors of the models are compared with the previous productivity studies. Model results, advantages of the methodology, and study limitations are discussed.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

References

1.
Borcherding, J. D., and Alarcon, L. F.(1991). “Quantitative effects on construction productivity.”Constr. Lawyer, 11(1), 1, 36–48.
2.
Business Roundtable. (1980). “Scheduled overtime effect on construction projects.”Rep. No. C-2, New York.
3.
Business Roundtable. (1982). “Measuring productivity in construction.”A-1 Rep. of the Constr. Industry Cost Effectiveness Proj., New York.
4.
Cheng, B., and Titterington, D. M.(1994). “Neural networks: A review from a statistical perspective.”Statistical Sci., 4(1), 2–54.
5.
Christian, J., and Hachey, D.(1995). “Effects of delay times on production rates in construction.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 121(1), 20–26.
6.
Chua, D. K. H., Kog, Y. C., Loh, P. K., and Jaselskis, E. J.(1997). “Model for construction budget performance—neural network approach.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 123(3), 214–222.
7.
“The effects of scheduled overtime and shift schedule on construction craft productivity.” (1988). Source Document 43, Construction Industry Institute, Austin, Tex.
8.
Faghri, A., and Hua, J.(1995). “Roadway seasonal classification using neural networks.”J. Computing in Civ. Engrg., ASCE, 9(3), 209–215.
9.
Fletcher, D., and Goss, E.(1993). “Forecasting with neural networks.”Information and Mgmt., 24, 159–167.
10.
Goh, A. T. C.(1995). “Modeling soil correlations using neural networks.”J. Computing in Civ. Engrg., ASCE, 9(4), 275–278.
11.
Grimm, C. T., and Wagner, N. K. (1974). “Weather effects on mason productivity.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE 100(3), 319–335.
12.
Halligan, D. W., Demsetz, L. A., Brown, J. D., and Pace, C. B.(1994). “Action-response models and loss of productivity in construction.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 120(1), 47–64.
13.
Hendrickson, C., Martinelli, D., and Rehak, D.(1987). “Hierarchical rule-based activity duration estimation.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 113(2), 288–301.
14.
Karunanithi, N., Grenney, W. J., Whitley, D., and Bovee, K.(1994). “Neural networks for river flow prediction.”J. Computing in Civ. Engrg., ASCE, 8(2), 201–220.
15.
Koehn, E., and Brown, G.(1985). “Climatic effects on construction.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 111(2), 129–137.
16.
Liou, F. W., and Borcherding, J. D. (1986). “Work sampling can predict unit rate productivity.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 112(1), 90–103. Local climatological data: Monthly summary . (1992). National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, N.C. Local climatological data: Monthly summary . (1993). National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, N.C. Local climatological data: Monthly summary . (1994). National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, N.C.
17.
Maloney, W. F., and McFillen, J. (1985). “Valence of and satisfaction with job outcomes.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 111(1), 53– 73.
18.
Martin, C. J. (1991). Labor productivity control. Praeger Publishers, New York.
19.
Moselhi, O., Hegazy, T., and Fazio, P.(1991). “Neural networks as tools in construction.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 117(4), 606–625.
20.
National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). (1969). “Overtime and productivity in electrical construction.”Rep. No. 5050, 2nd Ed., Washington, D.C.
21.
National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). (1974). “The effect of temperature on productivity.”Rep. No. 5072, Washington, D.C.
22.
Pankratz, A. (1983). Forecasting with univariate Box-Jenkins models. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York.
23.
Portas, J., and AbouRizk, S.(1997). “Neural network model for estimating construction productivity.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 123(4), 399–410.
24.
Price, A. D., and Harris, F. C.(1985). “Methods of measuring production times for construction work.”Chartered Inst. of Build., 49, 1–11.
25.
Refenes, A. P., Zapranis, A., and Francis, G.(1994). “Stock performance modeling using neural networks: A comparative study with regression models.”Neural Networks, 7(2), 375–388.
26.
Rowings, E. J., and Sonmez, R. (1996). “Labor productivity modeling with neural networks.”AACE Trans., Paper Prod-1, American Association of Cost Engineers, Morgantown, W.Va.
27.
Rumelhart, D. E., Hinton, G. E., and Williams, R. J. (1986). “Learning internal representations by error propagation.”Parallel Distributed Processing, Vol. 1, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass.
28.
Sanders, S. R., and Thomas, R. H.(1993). “Masonry productivity forecasting model.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 119(1), 163–179.
29.
Sonmez, R. (1996). “Construction labor productivity modeling with neural networks and regression analysis,” PhD thesis, Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Iowa State Univ., Ames, Iowa.
30.
Thomas, H. R.(1991). “Labor productivity and work sampling: The bottom line.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 117(3), 423–444.
31.
Thomas, H. R., and Daily, J.(1983). “Crew performance measurement via activity sampling.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 109(3), 309–320.
32.
Thomas, H. R., Guevara, J. M., and Gustenhoven, C. T.(1984). “Improving productivity estimates by work sampling.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 110(2), 178–188.
33.
Thomas, H. R., Maloney, W. F., Horner, M. W., Smith, G. R., Handa, V. K., and Sanders, S. R.(1990). “Modeling construction labor productivity.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 116(4), 705–726.
34.
Thomas, H. R., Mathews, C. T., and Ward, J. G.(1986). “Learning curve models of construction productivity.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 112(2), 245–258.
35.
Thomas, H. R., and Raynar, K. A.(1997). “Scheduled overtime and labor productivity: Quantitative analysis.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 123(2), 181–188.
36.
Thomas, H. R., and Sakarcan, A.(1994). “Forecasting labor productivity using factor model.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 120(1), 228–239.
37.
Thomas, H. R., and Yiakoumis, I.(1987). “Factor model of construction productivity.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 113(4), 623–639.
38.
Wassermann, P. D. (1989). Neural computing: Theory and practice. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York.
39.
Zahedi, F.(1991). “An introduction to neural networks and a comparison with expert systems.”Interfaces, 21(2), 25–38.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 124Issue 6December 1998
Pages: 498 - 504

History

Published online: Dec 1, 1998
Published in print: Dec 1998

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Rifat Sonmez
Proj. Controls Engr., Attila Dogan Design and Constr. Co., Tunali Hilmi Cad. No. 16-4, Kucukesat, Ankara, 06660 Turkey.
James E. Rowings, Member, ASCE
Assoc. Prof. and Div. Chair Constr. Engrg., Dept. of Civ. and Constr. Engrg., 456 Town Engrg., Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA 50011.

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share