Multiobjective Optimization of Resource Leveling and Allocation during Construction Scheduling
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 137, Issue 12
Abstract
Construction scheduling techniques often generate schedules that cause undesirable resource fluctuations that are inefficient and costly to implement on site. This paper presents the development of a novel multiobjective optimization model that is capable of measuring and minimizing these undesirable resource fluctuations to maximize resource utilization efficiency and minimize project duration while complying with all precedence relationships and resource availability constraints. The model incorporates three main modules: (1) a startup module that calculates lower and upper bounds for the model decision variables; (2) a scheduling module that generates practical schedules and evaluates their performance; and (3) a multiobjective genetic algorithm module that searches for and identifies optimal schedules. The model is integrated in a commercially available software system to facilitate its use and adoption by construction planners. An application example is analyzed to illustrate the use of the model and demonstrate its new and unique capabilities in generating optimal trade-offs between maximizing resource utilization efficiency and minimizing the duration of construction projects.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
Bandelloni, M., Tucci, M., and Rinaldi, R. (1994). “Optimal resource leveling using non-serial dynamic programming.” Eur. J. Oper. Res., 78(2), 162–177.
Chan, W. T., Chua, D. K. H., and Kannan, G. (1996). “Construction resource scheduling with genetic algorithms.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 122(2), 125–132.
Chen, P., and Shahandashti, S. M. (2009). “Hybrid of genetic algorithm and simulated annealing for multiple project scheduling with multiple resource constraints.” Autom. Constr., 18(4), 434–443.
Chua, D. K. H., Chan, W. T., and Kannan, G. (1996). “Scheduling with co-evolving resource availability profiles.” J. Civ. Eng. Environ. Sys., 13(4), 311–329.
Deb, K., Pratap, A., Agrawal, S., and Meyarivan, T. (2001). “A fast and elitist multi-objective genetic algorithm: NSGA-II.” KANGAL Rep. 200001, Genetic Algorithm Laboratory, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India.
Easa, S. M. (1989). “Resource leveling in construction by optimization.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 115(2), 302–316.
El-Rayes, K., and Jun, D. H. (2009). “Optimizing resource leveling in construction projects.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 135(11), 1172–1180.
Harris, R. B. (1978). Precedence and arrow networking techniques for Construction, Wiley, New York.
Hegazy, T. (1999). “Optimization of resource allocation and leveling using genetic algorithms.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 125(3), 167–175.
Kelly, J. E. (1963). The critical-path method: Resource planning and scheduling, J. F. Muth, and G. L. Thompson, eds., Industrial Scheduling, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
Kim, J., and Ellis, J. (2008). “Permutation-based elitist genetic algorithm for optimization of large-sized resource-constrained project scheduling.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 134(11), 904–913.
Lee, J., and Kim, Y. (1996). “Search heuristics for resource constrained project scheduling.” J. Oper. Res. Soc., 47(5), 678–689.
Leu, S., and Yang, C. (1999). “A genetic-algorithm-based resource-constrained construction scheduling system.” Constr. Manage. Econ., 17(6), 767–776.
Mattila, K. G., and Abraham, D. M. (1998). “Resource leveling of linear schedules using integer linear programming.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 124(3), 232–244.
Mingozzi, A., Maniezzo, V., Ricciardelli, S., and Bianco, L. (1998). “An exact algorithm for the resource-constrained project scheduling problem based on a new mathematical formulation.” Manage. Sci., 44(5), 714–729.
Popescu, C., and Charoenngam, C. (1995). Project planning, scheduling, and control in construction: An encyclopedia of terms and applications, Wiley-Interscience, New York.
Senouci, A. B., and Eldin, N. N. (2004). “Use of genetic algorithms in resource scheduling of construction projects.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 130(6), 869–877.
Son, J., and Mattila, K. G. (2004). “Binary resource leveling model: Activity splitting allowed.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 130(6), 887–894.
Son, J., and Skibniewski, M. J. (1999). “Multiheuristic approach for resource leveling problem in construction engineering: hybrid approach.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 125(1), 23–31.
Stevens, J. (1990). Techniques for construction network scheduling, McGraw-Hill, New York.
Zhang, H., Li, H., and Tam, C. M. (2006). “Permutation-based particle swarm optimization for resource-constrained project scheduling.” J. Comput. Civ. Eng., 20(2), 141–149.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 25, 2010
Accepted: Feb 8, 2011
Published online: Feb 10, 2011
Published in print: Dec 1, 2011
Authors
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.