Dynamic site layout planning through minimization of total potential energy

Integrated Activity Scheduling and Site Layout Planning

“…By reserving their space for an overly long duration the phased approach reduced the efficiency of the final site layout. Consequently, they introduced a dynamic approach, which considered the actual duration for which objects must occupy space, and implemented this approach in a model based on energy principles [4]. Nevertheless, this model presupposed the existence of a schedule for the activities, upon which the site layout plan can be based.…”

Proposing a Standard Template for Construction Site Layout: A Case Study of a Norwegian Contractor

“…In spite of its importance, site layout planning has often been either overlooked or considered to be of less importance by practitioners [7]. Often, site layout objects are located on a first-come first-served basis at the sites [6]. When planned the layout is often determined in an ad hoc manner based on various factors, such as rules of thumb, expertise, code of practice and previous experience [8].…”

“…Usually, all these objectives cannot be met at the same time, and since the early 1970s construction site planning has received much attention from researchers within mathematical optimization [4,5]. Since then a range of models have been developed to automatically generate optimal layouts for construction sites [6]. In spite of its importance, site layout planning has often been either overlooked or considered to be of less importance by practitioners [7].…”

“…In establishing a construction site layout/utilization plan, numerous aspects should be addressed [3,11,12]: the site boundary must be identified; required TFs need to be determined based on planned project activities; size needs and other constraints associated with each TF must be established; the relative position of each TF must be decided; and, the timing of the establishment and removal of the TFs during the project must be defined. In practice, however, the construction site layout is often determined on a first-come first serve basis [6], with the detailed site layout being left to the day-to-day scheduling of trade foremen and managers [8]. This can lead to decreased safety and productivity [6], with inappropriate locations often leading to relocation of TFs or extra material handling that could have been avoided [8].…”

“…In practice, however, the construction site layout is often determined on a first-come first serve basis [6], with the detailed site layout being left to the day-to-day scheduling of trade foremen and managers [8]. This can lead to decreased safety and productivity [6], with inappropriate locations often leading to relocation of TFs or extra material handling that could have been avoided [8]. This is especially the case when space is not a limited factor in projects and TFs are located randomly within the site boundaries [11].…”