• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.565-578
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• 2013

Batch production is common in repetitive construction projects, and it is not unusual for different batch sizes to be used by contractors in one project. While several scheduling methods, such as the Linear Scheduling Method (LSM) and the Repetitive Scheduling Method (RSM) have been proposed and used, no mathematical method for repetitive construction projects has been developed, and it is difficult to consider different batch sizes with the existing methods. An original mathematical algorithm for scheduling repetitive projects with different batch sizes is proposed in this study. This algorithm is illustrated with assumptions of resource continuity and single path in a project and introduces new terms, control batch and critical batch. The algorithm logics and mathematical equations are validated by comparison with the outcomes from a graphical scheduling approach through a simple and practical hypothetic project. As a result, it is expected that the proposed algorithm can be easily adapted and extended to computer software for scheduling, and can be a starting point for research on batch size management in repetitive construction projects.

• Journal of Construction Engineering and Project Management
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.21-34
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• 2013

Various risk factors affect construction projects. Due to the uncertainties created by risk factors, actual activity durations frequently deviate from the estimated durations in either favorable or adverse direction. For this reason, evaluation of schedule uncertainty is required to make decisions accurately when managing construction projects. In this regard, this paper presents a new computer simulation model - the Repetitive Schedule Risk Analysis Model (RSRAM) - to evaluate unit-based repetitive building project schedules under uncertainty when activity durations and risk factors are correlated. The proposed model utilizes Monte Carlo Simulation and a Critical Path Method based repetitive scheduling procedure. This new procedure concurrently provides the utilization of resources without interruption and the maintenance of network logic through successive units. Furthermore, it enables assigning variable production rates to the activities from one unit to another and any kind of relationship type with or without lag time. Details of the model are described and an example application is presented. The findings show that the model produces realistic results regarding the extent of uncertainty inherent in the schedule.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2015.10a
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• pp.166-168
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• 2015

Line of Balance (LOB) method is suitable to schedule construction projects composed of repetitive activities. Since existing LOB based repetitive project scheduling methods are deterministic, they do not lend themselves to handle uncertainties involved in repetitive construction process. Indeed, existing LOB scheduling dose not handle variability of project performance indicators. In order to bridge the gap between reality and estimation, this study provides a stochastic LOB based scheduling method that allows schedulers for effectively dealing with the uncertainties of a construction project performance. The proposed method retrieves an appropriate probability distribution function (PDF) concerning project completion times, and determines favorable start times of activities. A case study is demonstrated to verify and validate the capability of the proposed method in a repetitive construction project planning.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.360-371
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• 2013

Fast delivery of construction projects provides more value to project owners. Batch production, which is production not in single pieces, but in batches, is a common approach in repetitive construction projects such as multi-unit residential building construction projects. In batch production, the use of a small batch size allows the early start of subsequent activities, and thus can lead to early completion of projects. In addition to batch size, balance between productivities in construction activities can affect project duration. However, the impact of the balance between productivities with regard to their order on project duration has not been studied. The main goal of this study is to test a hypothesis, which is that the order of construction activities' unbalanced productivities affects the amount of time reduction that can be achieved by using a small batch size. A computer-based simulation model was developed, and five different cases were simulated to test the hypothesis. The conclusion of the simulation result is that the order of productivities does not affect the time reduction achieved by using a small batch size. It is expected that the findings of this study can help general contractors make decisions in terms of batch size.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2007.03a
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• pp.530-539
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• 2007

Many construction projects such as highways, pipelines, tunnels, and high-rise buildings typically contain repetitive activities. Research has shown that the Critical Path Method (CPM) is not efficient in scheduling linear construction projects that involve repetitive tasks. Linear Scheduling Method (LSM) is one of the techniques that have been developed since 1960s to handle projects with repetitive characteristics. Although LSM has been regarded as a technique that provides significant advantages over CPM in linear construction projects, it has been mainly viewed as a graphical complement to the CPM. Studies of scheduling linear construction projects with resource consideration are rare, especially with multiple resource constraints. The objective of this proposed research is to explore a resource assignment mechanism, which assigns multiple critical resources to all activities to minimize the project duration while satisfying the activities precedence relationship and resource limitations. Resources assigned to an activity are allowed to vary within a range at different stations, which is a combinatorial optimization problem in nature. A heuristic multiple resource allocation algorithm is explored to obtain a feasible initial solution. The Simulated Annealing search algorithm is then utilized to improve the initial solution for obtaining near-optimum solutions. A housing example is studied to demonstrate the resource assignment mechanism.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2013.01a
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• pp.403-411
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• 2013

Horizontal construction projects such as oil and gas pipeline projects typically involve repetitive-work activities with the same crew and equipment from one end of the project to the other. Repetitive scheduling also known as linear scheduling is known to have superior schedule management capabilities specifically for such horizontal construction projects. This study discusses on expanding the capabilities of repetitive scheduling to account for the variance in production rates and visual representation by developing an automated alignment based linear scheduling program for applying temporal and spatial changes in production rates. The study outlines a framework to apply changes in productions rates when and where they will occur along the horizontal alignment of the project and illustrates the complexity of construction through the time-location chart through a new linear scheduling model, Linear Scheduling Model with Varying Production Rates (LSM_VPR). The program uses empirically derived production rate equations with appropriate variables as an input at the appropriate time and location based on actual 750 mile natural gas liquids pipeline project starting in Wyoming and terminating in the center of Kansas. The study showed that the changes in production rates due to time and location resulted in a close approximation of the actual progress of work as compared to the planned progress and can be modeled for use in predicting future linear construction projects. LSM_VPR allows the scheduler to develop schedule durations based on minimal project information. The model also allows the scheduler to analyze the impact of various routes or start dates for construction and the corresponding impact on the schedule. In addition, the graphical format lets the construction team to visualize the obstacles in the project when and where they occur due to a new feature called the Activity Performance Index (API). This index is used to shade the linear scheduling chart by time and location with the variation in color indicating the variance in predicted production rate from the desired production rate.

• Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.185-193
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• 2007

In order to improve the performance of succeeding superstore construction projects, it is essential to find out an effective way for applying the opportunities of improvement on their repetitive construction process based upon the analysis of various success or failure cases occurred on previous similar projects. This research study suggests a way to improve their construction process through the applications of six sigma techniques on superstore construction projects. A literature review was implemented on the basic concept of six sigma and its general performance steps, and the step by step applications of six sigma techniques were accomplished regarding to the speciality of superstore construction projects. The opportunities of improvement for superstore projects were figured out, and the result of their applications on other superstore projects was analyzed. As a result, it was found that the adoption rate of identical success or failure cases was increased. Also, there were several improvement effects on the projects such as $10{\sim}20$ days of time savings by projects, decrease of reworks by preventing failure cases, quality and safety improvement. These results indicate that the six sigma techniques are applicable and valuable for improving the repetitive process of superstore construction projects.

• Journal of the Korean Operations Research and Management Science Society
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.137-149
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• 2005

This study proposes a framework enhancing the accuracy of estimation for project duration by combining linear Bayesian updating scheme with the learning curve effect. Activities in a particular project might share resources in various forms and might be affected by risk factors such as weather Statistical dependence stemming from such resource or risk sharing might help us learn about the duration of upcoming activities in the Bayesian model. We illustrate, using a Monte Carlo simulation, that for partially repetitive projects a higher degree of statistical dependence among activity duration results in more variation in estimating the project duration in total, although more accurate forecasting Is achievable for the duration of an individual activity.

• International conference on construction engineering and project management
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.881-885
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• 2005

Scheduling repetitive projects under limitations on the amounts of available resources (labor and equipment) has been an active subject because of its practical relevance. Traditionally, the limitation is specified as a deterministic (fixed) number, such as 1000 labor-hours. The limitation, however, is often exposed to uncertainty and variability, especially when the project is lengthy. This paper presents a stochastic optimization model to treat the situations where the limitations of resources are expressed as probability functions in lieu of deterministic numbers. The proposed model transfers each deterministic resource constraint into a corresponding stochastic one and then solves the problem by the use of a chance-constrained programming technique. The solution is validated by comparison with simulation results to show that it can satisfy the resource constraints with a probability beyond the desired confidence level.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute Of Construction Engineering and Management
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.220-223
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• 2004

Remodelling projects have recently emerged as an alternative construction market. Due to the limited experience of such projects, repetitive mistakes and failures in project management become concerns for those in the market sector. The objective of this paper to report preliminary findings in relation to core project management issues in office remodelling projects based on literature review and expert interviews.