Integrated resource leveling and cash flow optimization for construction projects using symbiotic organisms search algorithm

Download
2020
Seyisoğlu, Başak
Construction projects are well-known for their inherent complexity as they involve a considerable amount of challenging tasks to be performed in conformance with the contractual documents. Unrealistic schedules that disregard the prominent components such as resources are one of the major reasons for failure of the construction projects. The most widely used scheduling technique is the Critical Path Method (CPM) which usually provides a schedule with unfavorable resource fluctuations. To reduce the negative effects of variations in resource demand, resource leveling methods are usually applied. Moreover, the primary cause of contractors’ failure is identified as poor financial management. Cash flow related problems can be overcome by virtue of proper cash flow analysis which secures the contractor’s cash flow. To deal with issues appertaining to each constituent part of a construction project, a thorough project schedule, including resources and cash flow analysis, should be readily available prior to project execution. Despite a multitude of endeavors in the literature, preparation of a comprehensive project schedule under consideration of different goals is hard to achieve due to computational expensiveness. In this study, it is suggested that a practical approach is needed for industry practitioners who suffer from lack of an optimization model that integrates resource leveling and cash flow optimization in project scheduling. For this purpose, this thesis introduces a new integrated optimization method, named “Combined Resource and Cash flow (CRC)” that considers resource leveling and cash flow optimization simultaneously. The application of proposed integrated method is demonstrated using an example project from the literature. The solutions are obtained with the implementation of Symbiotic Organisms Search (SOS) algorithm. The solutions revealed that the use of CRC method produces promising results compared to the existing methods.

Suggestions

A genetic algorithm for resource leveling of construction projects
Iranagh, Mahdi Abbasi; Sönmez, Rifat (2012-01-01)
Critical path method (CPM) is commonly used in scheduling of construction projects. However, CPM only considers the precedence relations between the activities and does not consider resource optimization during scheduling of projects. Optimal allocation of resources can be achieved by resource levelling. Resource levelling is crucial for effective use of construction resources particularly to minimize the project costs. However, commercial scheduling software has very limited capabilities for solving the re...
Integrated Approach to Overcome Shortcomings in Current Delay Analysis Practices
Birgönül, Mustafa Talat; Dikmen Toker, İrem (American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 2015-04-01)
Many factors, such as unforeseeable events, managerial and financial problems of contractors, insufficient technical capacity of site teams of contractors or Consultants, and so on, may lead to delays in construction projects. Proper analysis of compensability and quantum of a delay event is of prime importance. Any delay analysis application can be considered as a result of the combination of contract documents, scheduler, record-keeping mechanism at the site, communication among project participants, dela...
A Causal mapping approach for the analysis of construction disputes
Tanrıverdi, Cenk; Dikmen Toker, İrem; Department of Civil Engineering (2019)
Containing various work disciplines, numerous stakeholders, and relatively extensive procedures due to its nature, disputes are frequently encountered in construction projects. The fact that disputes can have devastating effects on success of projects in terms of both time and cost to both parties involved when not dealt with care, makes a clear understanding of how and why disputes occur in construction projects an important research topic. Previous studies on this subject has mostly yielded only exhaustiv...
An exploratory study on utilization of BIM for risk management
Kaya, Hazal Deniz; Dikmen, İrem; Atasoy, Güzide; Birgönül, Mustafa Talat (İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi; 2020-11-14)
It is a well-known fact that BIM application in construction projects enables several advantages such as better collaboration and communication, effective project visualization before construction, more efficient cost estimation and scheduling, and an increase in productivity. Although many of these advantages that BIM contributes to construction projects may result in opportunities for better risk management, there are limited studies in the construction management literature that investigate this subject....
A reference model for BIM capability assessments
Yilmaz, Gokcen; Akçamete Güngör, Aslı; DEMİRÖRS, ONUR (2019-05-01)
Various BIM capability and maturity models have been developed to assist architecture, engineering, construction and facilities management (AEC/FM) organizations in measuring the performance of their BIM utilizations. Due to differences in applicability and focus of these models, they are able to meet the demands of different BIM users. In this study, eight BIM capability and maturity models identified in the literature are compared based on several different criteria. The results show that there is no holi...
Citation Formats
B. Seyisoğlu, “Integrated resource leveling and cash flow optimization for construction projects using symbiotic organisms search algorithm,” Thesis (M.S.) -- Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences. Civil Engineering., Middle East Technical University, 2020.