Ozcan-Deniz, G (2011) An integrated multi-agent framework for optimizing time, cost and environmental impact of construction processes. PhD thesis, Florida International University, USA.
Abstract
Environmentally conscious construction has received a significant amount of research attention during the last decades. Even though construction literature is rich in studies that emphasize the importance of environmental impact during the construction phase, most of the previous studies failed to combine environmental analysis with other project performance criteria in construction. This is mainly because most of the studies have overlooked the multi-objective nature of construction projects. In order to achieve environmentally conscious construction, multi-objectives and their relationships need to be successfully analyzed in the complex construction environment. The complex construction system is composed of changing project conditions that have an impact on the relationship between time, cost and environmental impact (TCEI) of construction operations. Yet, this impact is still unknown by construction professionals. Studying this impact is vital to fulfill multiple project objectives and achieve environmentally conscious construction. This research proposes an analytical framework to analyze the impact of changing project conditions on the relationship of TCEI. This study includes green house gas (GHG) emissions as an environmental impact category. The methodology utilizes multi-agent systems, multi-objective optimization, analytical network process, and system dynamics tools to study the relationships of TCEI and support decision-making under the influence of project conditions. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is applied to the evaluation of environmental impact in terms of GHG. The mixed method approach allowed for the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data. Structured interviews of professionals in the highway construction field were conducted to gain their perspectives in decision-making under the influence of certain project conditions, while the quantitative data were collected from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for highway resurfacing projects. The data collected were used to test the framework. The framework yielded statistically significant results in simulating project conditions and optimizing TCEI. The results showed that the change in project conditions had a significant impact on the TCEI optimal solutions. The correlation between TCEI suggested that they affected each other positively, but in different strengths. The findings of the study will assist contractors to visualize the impact of their decision on the relationship of TCEI.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Shdid, C A and Zhu, Y |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | optimization; construction project; highway; construction phase; environmental impact; life cycle; professional; project performance; interview |
| Index terms: | construction phase, project performance, construction professional, highway construction, multi-objective optimization, construction operation, life cycle, mixed method, environmental analysis, construction system, agent, analytical framework, multi-agent system, environmental impact, construction process, decision-making, methodology, system dynamics, construction project, life cycle assessment, interview |
| Subjects: | production management, research methods, algorithms, building construction, practitioner, environmental impact, construction operations, professional development, project management theory and practice, civil engineering, decision analysis, computing systems, value management, data collection methods, project delivery, artificial intelligence, data analysis and analytics |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Site Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Roles and Professions, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Sustainability, Risk Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here