An Optimization Model of Site Batch Plant Layout for Infrastructure Project

Abstract

Construction site layout is crucial to any project and has a significant impact on the economy, quality, schedule, and other aspects of the project. Especially for infrastructure construction project, the layout planning of site temporary batch plant is one of the key factors for assessing on complexity scales and project performances. The poorer the site batch plant layout planning, the more increasing the project complexity (risks) and the greater the construction cost raised. Generally, the site batch plant layout problem has been solved through the experiences of site management team, using more or less sophisticated numerical model, but mostly the final decision made by the leader who responsible for the site management taking much more consideration of the design conditions and the site spatial constrained. Therefore, the site batch plant layout has always been considered in complying with maximization principles. That is, individual contractor is often required to build his own batch plants for servicing his own project only according to its contract clauses. This construction management strategy has caused to a large waste of resources and much low productivity of the operated plants. The purpose of this paper applies genetic algorithms and computing techniques to develop an optimal model in order to search an optimal solution to the site batch plant layout in the planning stage, and combine with the practical contracting strategies to design feasible construction management plan for enhancement of site management and improvement of concrete quality, as well as minimizing the total construction costs. The GA’s model was developed and applied to specific project located in Taiwan. The usefulness of the model was proven through by the practical operation of the project.