Abstract —— Repetitive construction projects occupied industry, with the use of mass production line units. These
large space in construction industry. Repetitive projects production line units are identical. The manufacturing process
characterized by high cost, long duration and utilization of consists of a series of workstations requiring the same resources
many expensive resources. So, effective planning and (e.g., equipment, laborer, etc.), for processing. Resources are
scheduling of repetitive projects is very important in order to normally stationed on the plant floor during the production
save time and cost. In this paper a flexible and dynamic process with no movement of resource considered necessary. A
model for scheduling and optimization of repetitive projects typical repetitive scheduling method is the line-of-balance
is presented. The model encompasses two modules: a method (LOB) [1, 9, 14, 15], which provides a simple method
resource-driven scheduling module; and an optimization for scheduling and controlling the production progress.
module. The advantages of the model stem from the
following main characteristics: 1) it considers typical and Subsequent construction repetitive scheduling methods [6, 8, 10,
atypical repetitive activity, 2) it uses multiple crews and 11, 12, 16] have tried to release the single duration constraint for
assigns available crew to next units, 3) it considers different repetitive activities. Production units need not be identical, but
construction methods for each activity, 4) it maintains work merely similar. El-Rayes and Moselhi (1998) for example,
continuity, 5) it allows for activity interruption, 6) it designated operations by a work group with the same duration as
incorporates a genetic algorithm procedure to search for the a “typical repetitive activity” and one with a different duration as
optimum schedule that minimizes total project cost, and 7) it a “non typical repetitive activity.” They also pointed out that the
presents outputs in both tabular and graphical formats. The “non typical repetitive activity” is common in repetitive projects;
model is allowing the user to experiment with several thus it is inadequate to treat repetitive operations within one
combinations of construction methods that produce different work group as the same, the difference between each work item
plans by changing the construction methods indices should be considered during preconstruction planning.
manually. The objective of the optimization part is to
minimize total construction cost which comprises direct cost, Maintaining crew work continuity leads to maximizing the
indirect cost and interruption cost. The optimization part learning curve effect and minimizing the idle time of each crew
allows the user to produce several optimal plans and choose [2, 3]. On the other hand, maintaining crew work continuity
among them the best for his target project. Based on the might result in longer project duration. Selinger (1980) for
proposed model, a computerized system for scheduling of instance, suggested that increasing crew work interruptions up to
repetitive project was developed. Details of model a specific amount for some of the activities might reduce the
development and implementation are described, and an overall project duration. Therefore, the tradeoff between the
example application is presented to demonstrate the overall project duration and the number of interruption days is a
capabilities of the developed system. crucial factor in assigning resources in repetitive projects [13].
In an attempt to improve existing solutions, this paper presents a
I. Introduction resource-driven scheduling model for repetitive projects. The
model considers both typical and a typical activities, allows for
Repetitive construction is commonly found in high-rise building, crew interruption and maintain work continuity. The model
housing project highways, and pipeline network and water and incorporates a flexible genetic algorithm (GA) procedure for
sewer mains. They address the need to maintain work continuity optimizing the total project cost. The proposed model is
so that the resources are kept working all the time. As a result implemented on a spreadsheet program using the Visual Basic
they are more suitable for the scheduling and resource planning for Application (VBA) macro programming language. Details of
of repetitive construction projects. Repetitive scheduling model development are described along with an example
methods are more effective than traditional scheduling methods application.
such as critical path method (CPM), program evaluation and
review technique (PERT), and bar charts, due to their inability to
maintain resource work continuity in scheduling. Many linear, or
repetitive, scheduling methods have been developed, with each
of them featuring unique functions and/or applications. The idea
of repetitive scheduling originated from the manufacturing
A. Scheduling Module 6
3
2
4 Crew 3
Crew 2 3
Crew 3 Idle (3) Crew 1
STJLB4 = STCAB42
Crew 1 Crew 2 Crew 2
1 2
1 STJLB3 > STCAB31
Crew 1 Crew 1
Time 1
Figure 2: Multiple Crew Assignment Strategy
Time
The start time according to job logic ( STJLij ) represents the Figure 3: Interruption of Crews Produced in Stage 1
finish time of predecessor activity (i-1) at unit (j) and means that
activity (i) at unit j can't start until activity (i-1) at the same unit
is finished and can be calculated as follows: 3- Direct cost Calculation:
After scheduling activities in different units, the direct cost is
calculated as it is depend on the construction method used. The
STJLij = FT(i −1) j (4) direct cost consists of the cost of labor, equipments and
materials. The direct costs ( DC ijm ) for activities at each unit
Having defined both the start time based on crew availability can be calculated as follow:
STCAijnm and the start time based on job logic STJL , the
ij
model considers the largest value among these two values and DC ijm = DC i * Dijm (7)
assigns the largest value as the start time of unit (j) in activity (i).
Equation 5 represents the start time of any activity (i) in unit (j),
as follow: Where:
DC ijm : Direct cost of activity (i) at unit (j) using construction
STij = Max ( STJLij , STCAijnm ) (5) method m;
Dijm : Duration of activity (i) at unit (j) using construction
The difference between ( STCAijnm ) and ( STJLij ) may lead to method m; and
three different Values represent different meanings. First, (+ DC : Estimated direct cost of activity (i) per day.
i
value) which mean that the crew can move to next unit with time
The total activity direct cost for activity ( TDCim ) using its
buffer between activity (i) and (i-1) equal ( STCAijnm –
construction method (m) is the summation of all direct costs in
STJLij ). Second, (-ve value) which means that the crew for all units (j = 1 to J), as follows:
activity (i) in unit (j) should wait (interruption) for time equal to
J
( STCAijnm – STJLij ) till the activity (i-1) in unit j finished. TDCim = ∑ DCijm (8)
j =1
Unit J
Crew 1 Crew 1 Interi = ∑ idleijn (14)
8 j =1
Crew 2 Crew 2
7
Crew 3 Idle (6) Crew 1 Where:
6
Crew 1 Idle (5) Crew 1
Interi = Total interruption of activity (i).
5 Shift = Idle (6)
Crew 2 Crew 2
4 Accordingly, the total interruption of the whole project for all
Crew 3 Idle (3) Crew 1 activities (i=1 to I) can be calculated as follows:
3
Crew 2 Crew 2 Shift = Idle (5) + idle (6)
2 Chromosome I
Crew 1 Inter = ∑ Interi (15)
Crew 1 Shift = idle (3) + Idle (5) + idle (6) i =1
1
TIC = TD * IC (19)
Activity
Chromosome Construction Method Index
Cut and
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III. Model Implementation 1 Chip
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trees
The proposed model was implemented on a commercial Grub
and
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spreadsheet program to simplify the implementation process and 2
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automate the scheduling of repetitive projects. In this study, remove
stumps
Microsoft Excel software is selected for the implementation of
the proposed model because of its ease of use and powerful Earthm
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programmability features. Among the strong features of oving
spreadsheets are their intuitive cell-based structure and the
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simple interface that is easy to use. Underneath the structure and 4 Base
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the interface is a host of powerful features, from data entry and
manipulation to a large number of functions, macros and charts.
Spreadsheet has, also, features for internet connectivity, working
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5 Paving
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sharing and programs. Moreover, the feature of programming
gives the spreadsheets the power to model more complex
algorithms by totally implement the model by Visual Basic R: Production Rate of each crew.
Application macro tool (VBA macros). The spreadsheet C: The direct cost for activity per day
implementation for scheduling repetitive project and cost NCA: Number of crew available.
optimization will follow the same steps as the formulation
explained in previously in section II.
All the data of this example are entered to the model template on
Excel. The model is implemented totally by programming in
IV. Numerical Example VBA macro to make it more dynamic. Figure 6 shows the
The Example used in this study involves the construction of a project data including number of activities, number of units,
three-lane-highway for stretch of 15 Km and consist of five alternatives construction methods for all activities and indirect
activities (Table I). cost for the project.
Table I After entering all the data of the project the planner can
Activities of the example experiment a lot of combinations of construction methods to
produce several plans. The tabular results of the schedule are
ID Activity Description Predecessor shown in Fig. 7 while Fig. 8 shows the graphical representation
1 Cut and Ship Trees - of the obtained schedule using the following construction 2, 3, 1,
2 Grub and Remove stumps 1 2, and 1 for activities 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively.
3 Earthmoving 2
4 Base 3
5 Paving 4
Repetitive Activities
Grub and remove
Cut and Chip Trees Earthmoving Base Paving
stumps
Repetitive
units Quantities Quantities Quantities Quantities Quantities
Units Units Units
(Km) (Qij) Units (Qij) Units (Qij) (Qij) (Qij)
(j)
1 12000 12000 7000 32000 32000
2 12000 12000 6000 32000 32000
3 18000 18000 6000 32000 32000
4 12000 12000 6000 32000 32000
5 18000 18000 8600 32000 32000
6 30000 30000 7000 32000 32000
7 36000 36000 6500 32000 32000
8 30000
m2 30000 m2 6000 m3 32000 m2 32000 m3
9 24000 24000 6000 32000 32000
10 24000 24000 6000 32000 32000
11 18000 18000 6000 32000 32000
12 12000 12000 6000 32000 32000
13 12000 12000 6000 32000 32000
14 12000 12000 6000 32000 32000
15 12000 12000 6000 32000 32000
Table IV
Project scheduling output details