IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i24p13551-d697188.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Simulation-Optimization for the Planning of Off-Site Construction Projects: A Comparative Study of Recent Swarm Intelligence Metaheuristics

Author

Listed:
  • Mohamed Hussein

    (Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
    Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Assiut University, Assiut 71511, Egypt)

  • Abdelrahman E. E. Eltoukhy

    (Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China)

  • Amos Darko

    (Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China)

  • Amr Eltawil

    (Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), New Borg El Arab 21934, Egypt)

Abstract

Off-site construction is a modern construction method that brings many sustainability merits to the built environment. However, the sub-optimal planning decisions (e.g., resource allocation, logistics and overtime planning decisions) of off-site construction projects can easily wipe away their sustainability merits. Therefore, simulation modelling—an efficient tool to consider the complexity and uncertainty of these projects—is integrated with metaheuristics, developing a simulation-optimization model to find the best possible planning decisions. Recent swarm intelligence metaheuristics have been used to solve various complex optimization problems. However, their potential for solving the simulation-optimization problems of construction projects has not been investigated. This research contributes by investigating the status-quo of simulation-optimization models in the construction field and comparing the performance of five recent swarm intelligence metaheuristics to solve the stochastic time–cost trade-off problem with the aid of parallel computing and a variance reduction technique to reduce the computation time. These five metaheuristics include the firefly algorithm, grey wolf optimization, the whale optimization algorithm, the salp swarm algorithm, and one improved version of the well-known bat algorithm. The literature analysis of the simulation-optimization models in the construction field shows that: (1) discrete-event simulation is the most-used simulation method in these models, (2) most studies applied genetic algorithms, and (3) very few studies used computation time reduction techniques, although the simulation-optimization models are computationally expensive. The five selected swarm intelligence metaheuristics were applied to a case study of a bridge deck construction project using the off-site construction method. The results further show that grey wolf optimization and the improved bat algorithm are superior to the firefly, whale optimization, and salp swarm algorithms in terms of the obtained solutions’ quality and convergence behaviour. Finally, the use of parallel computing and a variance reduction technique reduces the average computation time of the simulation-optimization models by about 87.0%. This study is a step towards the optimum planning of off-site construction projects in order to maintain their sustainability advantages.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohamed Hussein & Abdelrahman E. E. Eltoukhy & Amos Darko & Amr Eltawil, 2021. "Simulation-Optimization for the Planning of Off-Site Construction Projects: A Comparative Study of Recent Swarm Intelligence Metaheuristics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-41, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:24:p:13551-:d:697188
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/24/13551/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/24/13551/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Teodor Crainic, 2019. "Parallel Metaheuristics and Cooperative Search," International Series in Operations Research & Management Science, in: Michel Gendreau & Jean-Yves Potvin (ed.), Handbook of Metaheuristics, edition 3, chapter 0, pages 419-451, Springer.
    2. Hamza Mubarak & Nurulafiqah Nadzirah Mansor & Hazlie Mokhlis & Mahazani Mohamad & Hasmaini Mohamad & Munir Azam Muhammad & Mohammad Al Samman & Suhail Afzal, 2021. "Optimum Distribution System Expansion Planning Incorporating DG Based on N-1 Criterion for Sustainable System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-24, June.
    3. Satyajith Amaran & Nikolaos V. Sahinidis & Bikram Sharda & Scott J. Bury, 2016. "Simulation optimization: a review of algorithms and applications," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 240(1), pages 351-380, May.
    4. De, Prabuddha & James Dunne, E. & Ghosh, Jay B. & Wells, Charles E., 1995. "The discrete time-cost tradeoff problem revisited," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 81(2), pages 225-238, March.
    5. Eltoukhy, Abdelrahman E.E. & Wang, Z.X. & Chan, Felix T.S. & Fu, X., 2019. "Data analytics in managing aircraft routing and maintenance staffing with price competition by a Stackelberg-Nash game model," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 143-168.
    6. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
    7. Juan, Angel A. & Faulin, Javier & Grasman, Scott E. & Rabe, Markus & Figueira, Gonçalo, 2015. "A review of simheuristics: Extending metaheuristics to deal with stochastic combinatorial optimization problems," Operations Research Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 2(C), pages 62-72.
    8. Mengqi Zhao & Xiaoling Wang & Jia Yu & Lei Bi & Yao Xiao & Jun Zhang, 2020. "Optimization of Construction Duration and Schedule Robustness Based on Hybrid Grey Wolf Optimizer with Sine Cosine Algorithm," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, January.
    9. Yang Liu & Jianjun Dong & Ling Shen, 2020. "A Conceptual Development Framework for Prefabricated Construction Supply Chain Management: An Integrated Overview," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-29, March.
    10. Muhammad Salman Shabbir & Ahmed Faisal Siddiqi & Lis M. Yapanto & Evgeny E. Tonkov & Andrey Leonidovich Poltarykhin & Anna Valeryevna Pilyugina & Aleksandr Mikhailovich Petrov & Amin Foroughi & Dinara, 2021. "Closed-Loop Supply Chain Design and Pricing in Competitive Conditions by Considering the Variable Value of Return Products Using the Whale Optimization Algorithm," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-17, June.
    11. Kamali, Mohammad & Hewage, Kasun, 2016. "Life cycle performance of modular buildings: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 1171-1183.
    12. Jun Zhang & Denghua Zhong & Mengqi Zhao & Jia Yu & Fei Lv, 2019. "An Optimization Model for Construction Stage and Zone Plans of Rockfill Dams Based on the Enhanced Whale Optimization Algorithm," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-29, February.
    13. Kailun Feng & Weizhuo Lu & Shiwei Chen & Yaowu Wang, 2018. "An Integrated Environment–Cost–Time Optimisation Method for Construction Contractors Considering Global Warming," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-23, November.
    14. Mohammad Alali & Zagros Shahooei & Maryam Bahramipanah, 2021. "Resiliency-Oriented Optimization of Critical Parameters in Multi Inverter-Fed Distributed Generation Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-16, June.
    15. Wei Chen & Ying Zhao & Yangqing Yu & Kaiman Chen & Mehrdad Arashpour, 2020. "Collaborative Scheduling of On-Site and Off-Site Operations in Prefabrication," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-21, November.
    16. Sunghoon Nam & Jongsik Yoon & Kyungrai Kim & Byungjoo Choi, 2020. "Optimization of Prefabricated Components in Housing Modular Construction," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-22, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Noordhoek, Marije & Dullaert, Wout & Lai, David S.W. & de Leeuw, Sander, 2018. "A simulation–optimization approach for a service-constrained multi-echelon distribution network," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 292-311.
    2. Lam, Chiou-Peng & Masek, Martin & Kelly, Luke & Papasimeon, Michael & Benke, Lyndon, 2019. "A simheuristic approach for evolving agent behaviour in the exploration for novel combat tactics," Operations Research Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 6(C).
    3. Rumeng Zhang & Lihong Li, 2023. "Research on Evolutionary Game and Simulation of Information Sharing in Prefabricated Building Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-24, June.
    4. David Schmaranzer & Roland Braune & Karl F. Doerner, 2021. "Multi-objective simulation optimization for complex urban mass rapid transit systems," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 305(1), pages 449-486, October.
    5. Wei He & Wenjing Li & Wei Wang, 2021. "Developing a Resource Allocation Approach for Resource-Constrained Construction Operation under Multi-Objective Operation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-22, June.
    6. Minunno, Roberto & O'Grady, Timothy & Morrison, Gregory M. & Gruner, Richard L., 2021. "Investigating the embodied energy and carbon of buildings: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of life cycle assessments," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    7. C Marijn Hazelbag & Jonathan Dushoff & Emanuel M Dominic & Zinhle E Mthombothi & Wim Delva, 2020. "Calibration of individual-based models to epidemiological data: A systematic review," PLOS Computational Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(5), pages 1-17, May.
    8. Louis Anthony Cox, 2020. "Answerable and Unanswerable Questions in Risk Analysis with Open‐World Novelty," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 40(S1), pages 2144-2177, November.
    9. David Schmaranzer & Roland Braune & Karl F. Doerner, 2020. "Population-based simulation optimization for urban mass rapid transit networks," Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, Springer, vol. 32(4), pages 767-805, December.
    10. İlkay Unay-Gailhard & Mark A. Brennen, 2022. "How digital communications contribute to shaping the career paths of youth: a review study focused on farming as a career option," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(4), pages 1491-1508, December.
    11. Mahin Ghafari & Vali Baigi & Zahra Cheraghi & Amin Doosti-Irani, 2016. "The Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Iranian Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(6), pages 1-10, June.
    12. Elizabeth T Cafiero-Fonseca & Andrew Stawasz & Sydney T Johnson & Reiko Sato & David E Bloom, 2017. "The full benefits of adult pneumococcal vaccination: A systematic review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(10), pages 1-23, October.
    13. Santos Urbina & Sofía Villatoro & Jesús Salinas, 2021. "Self-Regulated Learning and Technology-Enhanced Learning Environments in Higher Education: A Scoping Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-12, June.
    14. Oded Berger-Tal & Alison L Greggor & Biljana Macura & Carrie Ann Adams & Arden Blumenthal & Amos Bouskila & Ulrika Candolin & Carolina Doran & Esteban Fernández-Juricic & Kiyoko M Gotanda & Catherine , 2019. "Systematic reviews and maps as tools for applying behavioral ecology to management and policy," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 30(1), pages 1-8.
    15. Nadine Desrochers & Adèle Paul‐Hus & Jen Pecoskie, 2017. "Five decades of gratitude: A meta‐synthesis of acknowledgments research," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 68(12), pages 2821-2833, December.
    16. Alene Sze Jing Yong & Yi Heng Lim & Mark Wing Loong Cheong & Ednin Hamzah & Siew Li Teoh, 2022. "Willingness-to-pay for cancer treatment and outcome: a systematic review," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 23(6), pages 1037-1057, August.
    17. Xue-Ying Xu & Hong Kong & Rui-Xiang Song & Yu-Han Zhai & Xiao-Fei Wu & Wen-Si Ai & Hong-Bo Liu, 2014. "The Effectiveness of Noninvasive Biomarkers to Predict Hepatitis B-Related Significant Fibrosis and Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(6), pages 1-16, June.
    18. Vicente Miñana-Signes & Manuel Monfort-Pañego & Javier Valiente, 2021. "Teaching Back Health in the School Setting: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-18, January.
    19. Agnieszka A. Tubis & Katarzyna Grzybowska, 2022. "In Search of Industry 4.0 and Logistics 4.0 in Small-Medium Enterprises—A State of the Art Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-26, November.
    20. Obsa Urgessa Ayana & Jima Degaga, 2022. "Effects of rural electrification on household welfare: a meta-regression analysis," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 69(2), pages 209-261, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:24:p:13551-:d:697188. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.