Multiobjective optimization model for scheduling of construction projects under extreme weather

Abstract

Extreme weather significantly impacts construction schedules and costs and can be a source of schedule delays and budget overruns. A multi-objective optimization model, presented herein for the scheduling of construction projects under extreme weather conditions, can generate optimal/near optimal schedules that minimize the time and cost of construction projects in extreme weather regions. The model computations are organized as follows: (1) a scheduling module for developing practical schedules for construction projects, (2) a cost module for computing total project cost, and (3) a multi-objective module for determining optimal/near optimal trade-offs between project time and cost. Two practical examples of the effects of extreme weather on construction time and direct cost are provided, the first of which shows the impact of extreme weather on construction time and cost, and the second of which demonstrates the ability of the model to generate and visually present the optimal trade-offs between the duration and costs of construction projects under extreme weather conditions.

Keywords:

• genetic algorithms
• multi-objective optimization
• construction cost
• construction time
• extreme weather conditions

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ahmed B. Senouci

Ahmed B. SENOUCI. He has been a Professor in the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering at Qatar University. He holds a BS, MS, and PhD in Civil Engineering. He has about twenty years of research experience, mostly in multi-optimization algorithms and environmentally sustainable construction materials. He has successfully studied and developed numerous multi-objective optimization models to support decision making in a wide range of civil engineering applications including optimizing the scheduling of construction projects, multi-Objective optimization scheduling of construction projects, time-profit trade-off analysis of construction projects, and optimizing post-disaster highway reconstruction efforts.

Saleh A. Mubarak

Saleh A. MUBARAK. He has been an Associate Professor and Head of Civil & Architectural Engineering Department at Qatar University. He holds a BS, MS, and PhD in Civil Engineering, specialized in Construction Management. He led numerous seminars and workshops around the world. He did many presentations in professional conferences such as PMI, AACE, and Primavera Users Conference. He was part of the PMI team that wrote the first Project Scheduling certification exam in 2007. He is the author of two books: Construction Project Scheduling and Control, and How to Estimate with Means Data & Cost Works, in addition to many articles. He has 24 years of combined, industrial and academic experience, mostly in project planning, scheduling, controls, cost estimating, and project management.