A fuzzy optimal model for construction resource leveling scheduling

Resource leveling is needed in the construction industry to ensure efficient use of resources. Traditional resource leveling models assume activity durations to be deterministic. Nevertheless, activity duration may be uncertain because of variations in the outside environment, such as weather, site congestion, and productivity level. A new optimal construction resource leveling model is proposed in this paper, in which the combinative effects of both uncertain activity duration and resource leveling are taken into consideration. Fuzzy theory is used to model the uncertainties of activity duration. A searching technique using genetic algorithms is adopted to search for the optimal resource leveling indices under different decision makers' risk levels (i.e., α-cut levels). The model can effectively provide the fuzzy optimal usage profiles of multiple construction resources subjected to the objective of resource leveling.Key words: resource leveling, genetic algorithms, fuzzy set, construction scheduling.

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