Smart GA-Based Cost-Scheduling Model for Resource-Constrained Projects

In construction scheduling, problems can arise when each activity can be started at different time points and the resources needed by the activities are limited. Moreover, activities have required conditions to be met, such as precedence relationships, resource demands, etc. To resolve these problems, a two-phase GA (genetic algorithms) model is proposed in this paper, in which both the effects of time-cost trade-off and resource scheduling are taken into account. A GA-based time-cost trade-off analysis is adopted to select the execution mode of each activity through the balance of time and cost, followed by utilization of a GA-based resource scheduling method to generate a feasible schedule which may satisfy all the project constraints. Finally, the model is demonstrated using an example project.