Optimizing Construction Project Labor Utilization Using Differential Evolution: A Comparative Study of Mutation Strategies

In construction management, the task of planning project schedules with consideration of labor utilization is very crucial. However, the commonly used critical path method (CPM) does not inherently take into account this issue. Consequently, the labor utilization of the project schedule derived from...

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Main Authors: Nhat-Duc Hoang, Quoc-Lam Nguyen, Quang-Nhat Pham
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2015-01-01
Series:Advances in Civil Engineering
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/108780
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author Nhat-Duc Hoang
Quoc-Lam Nguyen
Quang-Nhat Pham
author_facet Nhat-Duc Hoang
Quoc-Lam Nguyen
Quang-Nhat Pham
author_sort Nhat-Duc Hoang
collection DOAJ
description In construction management, the task of planning project schedules with consideration of labor utilization is very crucial. However, the commonly used critical path method (CPM) does not inherently take into account this issue. Consequently, the labor utilization of the project schedule derived from the CPM method often has substantial low ebbs and high peaks. This research proposes a model to obtain project schedule with the least fluctuation in labor demand while still satisfying the project deadline and maintain the project cost. The Differential Evolution (DE), a fast and efficient metaheuristic, is employed to search for the most desirable solution of project execution among numerous combinations of activities’ crew sizes and start times. Furthermore, seven DE’s mutation strategies have also been employed for solving the optimization at hand. Experiment results point out that the Target-to-Best 1 and a new hybrid mutation strategy can attain the best solution of project schedule with the least fluctuation in labor demand. Accordingly, the proposed framework can be an effective tool to assist decision-makers in the project planning phase.
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publishDate 2015-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-fdbc6d7d2bba4150af6cb221e99b5bdf2025-08-20T02:22:33ZengWileyAdvances in Civil Engineering1687-80861687-80942015-01-01201510.1155/2015/108780108780Optimizing Construction Project Labor Utilization Using Differential Evolution: A Comparative Study of Mutation StrategiesNhat-Duc Hoang0Quoc-Lam Nguyen1Quang-Nhat Pham2Faculty of Civil Engineering, Duy Tan University, P809-K7/25 Quang Trung, Danang 550000, VietnamFaculty of Civil Engineering, Duy Tan University, P809-K7/25 Quang Trung, Danang 550000, VietnamFaculty of Civil Engineering, Duy Tan University, P809-K7/25 Quang Trung, Danang 550000, VietnamIn construction management, the task of planning project schedules with consideration of labor utilization is very crucial. However, the commonly used critical path method (CPM) does not inherently take into account this issue. Consequently, the labor utilization of the project schedule derived from the CPM method often has substantial low ebbs and high peaks. This research proposes a model to obtain project schedule with the least fluctuation in labor demand while still satisfying the project deadline and maintain the project cost. The Differential Evolution (DE), a fast and efficient metaheuristic, is employed to search for the most desirable solution of project execution among numerous combinations of activities’ crew sizes and start times. Furthermore, seven DE’s mutation strategies have also been employed for solving the optimization at hand. Experiment results point out that the Target-to-Best 1 and a new hybrid mutation strategy can attain the best solution of project schedule with the least fluctuation in labor demand. Accordingly, the proposed framework can be an effective tool to assist decision-makers in the project planning phase.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/108780
spellingShingle Nhat-Duc Hoang
Quoc-Lam Nguyen
Quang-Nhat Pham
Optimizing Construction Project Labor Utilization Using Differential Evolution: A Comparative Study of Mutation Strategies
Advances in Civil Engineering
title Optimizing Construction Project Labor Utilization Using Differential Evolution: A Comparative Study of Mutation Strategies
title_full Optimizing Construction Project Labor Utilization Using Differential Evolution: A Comparative Study of Mutation Strategies
title_fullStr Optimizing Construction Project Labor Utilization Using Differential Evolution: A Comparative Study of Mutation Strategies
title_full_unstemmed Optimizing Construction Project Labor Utilization Using Differential Evolution: A Comparative Study of Mutation Strategies
title_short Optimizing Construction Project Labor Utilization Using Differential Evolution: A Comparative Study of Mutation Strategies
title_sort optimizing construction project labor utilization using differential evolution a comparative study of mutation strategies
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/108780
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AT quangnhatpham optimizingconstructionprojectlaborutilizationusingdifferentialevolutionacomparativestudyofmutationstrategies