Dynamic response to demand variability for precast production rescheduling with multiple lines

Abstract

Production scheduling plays a crucial role in the prefabricated construction productivity and on-time delivery of precast components (PCs). However, previous studies mainly focused on the static scheduling of single production line without considering the demand variability in practice. To achieve dynamic production planning, a Two-level Rescheduling Model for Precast Production with multiple production lines is developed to minimise the rescheduling costs based on genetic algorithm, from the two levels of (1) selection of production line and (2) rescheduling of jobs based on PCs’ priority. Further, two scenarios of different and shared mould types are investigated to represent real-world production environments. Finally, a real case study is conducted to test the validity of proposed rescheduling model. 58.1 and 48.5% cost savings are achieved by comparison to no response to changes and heuristic rescheduling methods, respectively. This research contributes to the precast production theory by expanding the insight into dynamic rescheduling with multiple production lines. The methodology will promote the on-time delivery of PCs and enhance the dynamic precast production management.

Keywords:

• production rescheduling
• precast construction
• variability
• genetic algorithm
• multiple production lines

Acknowledgements

The authors express their sincere gratitude to Shanghai Chengjian Construction material Company for assistance in observation and conducting on-site interviews. They also appreciate the project engineers for valuable information and useful data.