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Achieving improved performance in construction projects: advanced time and cost optimization framework

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Abstract

The management of construction projects has long emphasized the delicate balance between time and cost, as these factors play a critical role in achieving optimal project outcomes. To address this challenge, stochastic optimization algorithms have emerged as valuable tools. One such algorithm, moth-flame optimization (MFO), leverages its capacity to navigate complex and unknown search spaces. When combined with the tournament selection (TS) method, which is designed to maintain diversity and control the convergence rate by providing equal opportunities for all individuals to be selected, it demonstrates remarkable potential and competitiveness in solving challenging problems with constraints. This research introduces an enhanced version of the MFO model, called TMFO, as an innovative approach to address time–cost trade-off (TCTO) problems in construction project management. To assess its performance, three benchmark test problems are employed, including two case studies involving 7 activities and one case study with 18 activities. The results reveal that TMFO outperforms other optimization algorithms when applied to TCTOs in small-scale projects. These findings underscore the effectiveness and relevance of the TMFO algorithm within the domain of construction project management.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), VNU-HCM for supporting this study.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific funding from public, commercial, or not-for-profit sector grant agencies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Civil Engineering, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), 268 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Vu Hong Son Pham, Nghiep Trinh Nguyen Dang & Van Nam Nguyen

  2. Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM), Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Vu Hong Son Pham, Nghiep Trinh Nguyen Dang & Van Nam Nguyen

Authors
  1. Vu Hong Son Pham
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  2. Nghiep Trinh Nguyen Dang
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  3. Van Nam Nguyen
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Contributions

All authors, including VHSP, NTND, and VNN, jointly contributed to the writing of the main manuscript, preparation of all figures and tables, and reviewed and approved the final version prior to submission.

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Correspondence to Nghiep Trinh Nguyen Dang.

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Pham, V.H.S., Nguyen Dang, N.T. & Nguyen, V.N. Achieving improved performance in construction projects: advanced time and cost optimization framework. Evol. Intel. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12065-024-00918-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12065-024-00918-7

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