Modified Streamlined Optimization Algorithm for Time–Cost Tradeoff Problems of Complex Large-Scale Construction Projects
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 149, Issue 5
Abstract
Although research on time–cost tradeoff (TCT) problems has been extensively conducted, there are still few applications of TCT optimization methods in the scheduling of projects with practical size and complexity. As a good attempt, a streamlined optimization algorithm has recently been developed for solving TCT problems with a continuous curvilinear activity time–cost relationship. However, the algorithm encounters the difficulties of high memory requirements and computational demand when it is implemented in complex large-scale projects whose networks may involve tens of millions of paths and hundreds of activities. To overcome such difficulties, this study presents a modified version of the streamlined optimization algorithm. Particularly, a new method for identifying critical paths is proposed in the modified algorithm. Also, a modeling problem has been addressed in order to consolidate the theoretical foundation of the algorithm. As illustrated by the experimental examples, the modified streamlined algorithm outperforms the original algorithm and the commonly used genetic algorithm in terms of optimality, robustness, and computational efficiency. This study thus contributes to the development of commercial scheduling software capable of tackling practical TCT problems.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
All data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This research has been supported by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation under Grant 2017M622575. This financial support is gratefully acknowledged.
References
Agdas, D., D. J. Osio-Norgaard, and F. J. Masters. 2018. “Utility of genetic algorithms for solving large-scale construction time–cost trade-off problems.” J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 32 (1): 04017072. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000718.
Ahuja, N. H., S. P. Dozzi, and S. M. AbouRizk. 1994. Project management: Techniques in planning and controlling construction projects. New York: Wiley.
Alavipour, S. M. R., and D. Arditi. 2018. “Optimizing financing cost in construction projects with fixed project duration.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 144 (4): 04018012. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001451.
Alavipour, S. M. R., and D. Arditi. 2019. “Time–cost tradeoff analysis with minimized project financing cost.” Autom. Constr. 98 (Feb): 110–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2018.09.009.
Aminbakhsh, S., and R. Sonmez. 2016. “Discrete particle swarm optimization method for the large-scale discrete time–cost trade-off problem.” Expert Syst. Appl. 51 (Jun): 177–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2015.12.041.
Ammar, M. A. 2018. “Efficient modeling of time–cost trade-off problem by eliminating redundant paths.” Int. J. Construct. Manage. 20 (7): 812–821. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2018.1484862.
Anagnostopoulos, K. P., and L. Kotsikas. 2010. “Experimental evaluation of simulated annealing algorithms for the time–cost trade-off problem.” Appl. Math. Comput. 217 (1): 260–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amc.2010.05.056.
Ballesteros-Pérez, P., K. M. Elamrousy, and M. C. González-Cruz. 2019. “Non-linear time–cost trade-off models of activity crashing: Application to construction scheduling and project compression with fast-tracking.” Autom. Constr. 97 (Jan): 229–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2018.11.001.
Cormen, T. H. 2001. Introduction to algorithms. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Demeulemeester, E. L., W. S. Herroelen, and S. E. Elmaghraby. 1996. “Optimal procedures for the discrete time/cost trade-off problem in project networks.” Eur. J. Oper. Res. 88 (1): 50–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/0377-2217(94)00181-2.
Elazouni, A. M., and A. A. Gab-Allah. 2004. “Finance-based scheduling of construction projects using integer programming.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 130 (1): 15–24. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2004)130:1(15).
Elbeltagi, E., T. Hegazy, and D. Grierson. 2007. “A modified shuffled frog-leaping optimization algorithm: Applications to project management.” Struct. Infrastruct. Eng. 3 (1): 53–60. https://doi.org/10.1080/15732470500254535.
Falk, J. E., and J. L. Horowitz. 1972. “Critical path problems with concave cost-time curves.” Manage. Sci. 19 (4): 446–455. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.19.4.446.
Feng, C. W., L. Liu, and S. A. Burns. 1997. “Using genetic algorithms to solve construction time–cost trade-off problems.” J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 11 (3): 184–189. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3801(1997)11:3(184).
Hegazy, T. 1999. “Optimization of construction time–cost trade-off analysis using genetic algorithms.” Can. J. Civ. Eng. 26 (6): 685–697. https://doi.org/10.1139/l99-031.
Jiang, A., and Y. Zhu. 2010. “A multi-stage approach to time–cost trade-off analysis using mathematical programming.” Int. J. Construct. Manage. 10 (3): 13–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2010.10773147.
Jun, D., and K. El-Rayes. 2011. “Fast and accurate risk evaluation for scheduling large-scale construction projects.” J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 25 (5): 407–417. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000106.
Li, H., and P. Love. 1997. “Using improved genetic algorithms to facilitate time–cost optimization.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 123 (3): 233–237. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(1997)123:3(233).
Liu, D., H. Li, H. Wang, C. Qi, and T. Rose. 2020. “Discrete symbiotic organisms search method for solving large-scale time–cost trade-off problem in construction engineering.” Expert Syst. Appl. 148 (Jun): 113230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2020.113230.
Liu, L., S. A. Burns, and C.-W. Feng. 1995. “Construction time–cost trade-off analysis using LP/IP hybrid method.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 121 (4): 446–454. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(1995)121:4(446).
Moselhi, O. 1993. “Schedule compression using the direct stiffness method.” Can. J. Civ. Eng. 20 (1): 65–72. https://doi.org/10.1139/l93-007.
Moussourakis, J., and C. Haksever. 2004. “Flexible model for time/cost tradeoff problem.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 130 (3): 307–314. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2004)130:3(307).
Nasiri, S., and M. Lu. 2022. “Streamlined project time–cost tradeoff optimization methodology: Algorithm, automation, and application.” Autom. Constr. 133 (Jan): 104002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2021.104002.
Ng, S. T., and Y. Zhang. 2008. “Optimizing construction time and cost using ant colony optimization approach.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 134 (9): 721–728. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2008)134:9(721).
Siemens, N. 1971. “A simple CPM time–cost tradeoff algorithm.” Manage. Sci. 17 (6): 354–363. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.17.6.B354.
Sonmez, R., and O. H. Bettemir. 2012. “A hybrid genetic algorithm for the discrete time–cost trade-off problems.” Expert Syst. Appl. 39 (13): 11428–11434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2012.04.019.
Zhang, Y., and S. T. Ng. 2012. “An ant colony system based decision support system for construction time–cost optimization.” J. Civ. Eng. Manage. 18 (4): 580–589. https://doi.org/10.3846/13923730.2012.704164.
Zheng, D. X. M., S. T. Ng, and M. M. Kumaraswamy. 2004. “Applying a genetic algorithm-based multiobjective approach for time–cost optimization.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 130 (2): 168–176. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2004)130:2(168).
Zhu, Y., J. Zhang, and X. Gao. 2018. “Construction management and technical innovation of the main project of Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao bridge.” Front. Eng. Manage. 5 (1): 128–132. https://doi.org/10.15302/J-FEM-2018201.
Zou, X., S.-C. Fang, Y.-S. Huang, and L.-H. Zhang. 2017. “Mixed-integer linear programming approach for scheduling repetitive projects with time–cost trade-off consideration.” J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 31 (3): 06016003. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000641.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 149 • Issue 5 • May 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 28, 2022
Accepted: Jan 9, 2023
Published online: Feb 25, 2023
Published in print: May 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Jul 25, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Algorithms
- Business management
- Consolidated soils
- Construction engineering
- Construction management
- Construction methods
- Critical path method
- Engineering fundamentals
- Geomechanics
- Geometry
- Geotechnical engineering
- Management methods
- Mathematics
- Methodology (by type)
- Models (by type)
- Optimization models
- Practice and Profession
- Project management
- Scheduling
- Soil mechanics
- Soils (by type)
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.