Abstract
In the realm of civil construction projects, achieving an optimal balance between project time, cost, and quality is paramount for ensuring project success and stakeholder satisfaction. Traditional optimization approaches often focus solely on time and cost, potentially neglecting the critical aspect of quality. This study presents a novel framework aimed at integrating quality considerations into resource-constrained time-cost trade-off optimization process using Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm III (NSGA III) technique. The proposed framework addresses the inherent trade-offs among time, cost, and quality by simultaneously optimizing these objectives. By leveraging NSGA-III, a powerful multi-objective optimization algorithm, the framework generates a set of Pareto-optimal solutions that represent various trade-off options. This enables decision-makers to explore and select solutions that best align with project objectives and constraints. Through solving a real case study project, the effectiveness of the proposed framework is demonstrated in real-world civil construction projects. Results of the study indicate that integrating quality considerations into the time-cost trade-off optimization process leads to more informed decision-making, ultimately enhancing project outcomes and stakeholder satisfaction. This research contributes to advancing the field of project management in civil construction by providing a systematic approach for addressing the complex interplay of time, cost, and quality objectives.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
The related data is available from corresponding author upon reasonable request.
References
Afshar, A., Kaveh, A., & Shoghli, O. R. (2007). Multi-objective optimization of time-cost-quality using multi-colony ant algorithm. Fuzzy Sets and Systems, 8(2), 113–124.
Aminbakhsh, S., & Sonmez, R. (2016). Pareto front particle swarm optimizer for discrete time-cost trade-off problem. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000606
Babu, A. J. G., & Suresh, N. (1996). Project management with time, cost, and quality considerations. European Journal of Operational Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/0377-2217(94)00202-9
Das, I., & Dennis, J. E. (1998). Normal-boundary intersection: A new method for generating the Pareto surface in nonlinear multicriteria optimization problems. SIAM Journal on Optimization. https://doi.org/10.1137/S1052623496307510
Deb, K., & Goyal, M. (1996). A combined genetic adaptive search (GeneAS) for engineering design. Computer Science and Informatics. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.27.767&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Deb, K., & Jain, H. (2014). An evolutionary many-objective optimization algorithm using reference-point-based nondominated sorting approach, part I: Solving problems with box constraints. IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEVC.2013.2281535
Eirgash, M. A., & Toğan, V. (2023). A novel oppositional teaching learning strategy based on the golden ratio to solve the time-cost-environmental impact trade-off optimization problems. Expert Systems with Applications. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2023.119995
Elbeltagi, E., Ammar, M., Sanad, H., & Kassab, M. (2016). Overall multiobjective optimization of construction projects scheduling using particle swarm. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-11-2014-0135
Eshtehardian, E., Afshar, A., & Abbasnia, R. (2009). Fuzzy-based MOGA approach to stochastic time-cost trade-off problem. Automation in Construction. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2009.02.001
Ferreira, J. C., Fonseca, C. M., & Gaspar-Cunha, A. (2007). Methodology to select solutions from the Pareto-optimal set: A comparative study. In: Proceedings of GECCO 2007: Genetic and evolutionary computation conference. https://doi.org/10.1145/1276958.1277117
Huang, Y. S., Deng, J. J., & Zhang, Y. Y. (2008). TI time-cost-quality tradeoff optimization in construction project based on modified ant colony algorithm. In: Proceedings of the 7th international conference on machine learning and cybernetics, ICMLC, 2(July), 1031–1035. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICMLC.2008.4620556
Kalhor, E., Khanzadi, M., Eshtehardian, E., & Afshar, A. (2011). Stochastic time-cost optimization using non-dominated archiving ant colony approach. Automation in Construction. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2011.05.003
Kaveh, A. (2014). Advances in metaheuristic algorithms for optimal design of structures. In: Advances in metaheuristic algorithms for optimal design of structures (Vol. 9783319055). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-05549-7
Kaveh, A., Dadras, A., & Malek, N. G. (2018). Robust design optimization of laminated plates under uncertain bounded buckling loads. Struct Multidisc Optim, 59, 877–891. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-018-2106-0
Kaveh, A., Fahimi-Farzam, M., & Kalateh-Ahani, M. (2015). Performance-based multi-objective optimal design of steel frame structures: Nonlinear dynamic procedure. Scientia Iranica, 22(2), 373–387.
Kaveh, A., & Ilchi Ghazaan, M. (2020). A new VPS-based algorithm for multi-objective optimization problems. Engineering with Computers, 36(3), 1029–1040. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00366-019-00747-8
Kaveh, A., Izadifard, R. A., & Mottaghi, L. (2020). Optimal design of planar RC frames considering CO2 emissions using ECBO, EVPS and PSO metaheuristic algorithms. Journal of Building Engineering, 28, 101014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2019.101014
Kaveh, A., & Laknejadi, K. (2011). A novel hybrid charge system search and particle swarm optimization method for multi-objective optimization. Expert Systems with Applications, 38(12), 15475–15488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2011.06.012
Kaveh, A., & Laknejadi, K. (2013). A new multi-swarm multi-objective optimization method for structural design. Advances in Engineering Software, 58, 54–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advengsoft.2013.01.004
Kaveh, A., Moghanni, R. M., & Javadi, S. M. (2019). Ground motion record selection using multi-objective optimization algorithms: A comparative study. Periodica Polytechnica Civil Engineering, 63(3), 812–822. https://doi.org/10.3311/PPci.14354
Ke, H. (2014). A genetic algorithm-based optimizing approach for project time-cost trade-off with uncertain measure. Journal of Uncertainty Analysis and Applications. https://doi.org/10.1186/2195-5468-2-8
Kelley, J. E., & Walker, M. R. (1959). Critical-path planning and scheduling. Proceedings of the Eastern Joint Computer Conference, IRE-AIEE-ACM, 1959, 160–173. https://doi.org/10.1145/1460299.1460318
Khalili-Damghani, K., Tavana, M., Abtahi, A. R., & Santos Arteaga, F. J. (2015). Solving multi-mode time-cost-quality trade-off problems under generalized precedence relations. Optimization Methods and Software. https://doi.org/10.1080/10556788.2015.1005838
Luong, D. L., Tran, D. H., & Nguyen, P. T. (2018). Optimizing multi-mode time-cost-quality trade-off of construction project using opposition multiple objective difference evolution. International Journal of Construction Management. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2018.1526630
Mohamad Karimi, S., Jamshid Mousavi, S., Kaveh, A., & Afshar, A. (2007). Fuzzy optimization model for earthwork allocations with imprecise parameters. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 133(2), 181–190. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)0733-9364(2007)133:2(181)
Narayanan, S., Kure, A. M., & Palaniappan, S. (2019). Study on time and cost overruns in mega infrastructure projects in India. Journal of the Institution of Engineers (india): Series A. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40030-018-0328-1
Panwar, A., Tripathi, K. K., & Jha, K. N. (2019). A qualitative framework for selection of optimization algorithm for multi-objective trade-off problem in construction projects. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-06-2018-0246
Patil, A. S., Agarwal, A. K., Sharma, K., & Trivedi, M. K. (2024). Time-cost trade-off optimization model for retrofitting planning projects using MOGA. Asian Journal of Civil Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42107-024-01014-y
Sharma, K., & Trivedi, M. K. (2021). Development of multi-objective scheduling model for construction projects using opposition-based NSGA III. Journal of the Institution of Engineers (india): Series A. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40030-021-00529-w
Sharma, K., & Trivedi, M. K. (2022a). Artificial intelligence and sustainable computing: Proceedings of ICSISCET 2020. In H. M. Dubey, M. Pandit, L. Srivastava, & B. K. Panigrahi (Eds.), AHP and NSGA-II-based time–cost–quality trade-off optimization model for construction projects (pp. 45–63). Singapore: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1220-6_5
Sharma, K., & Trivedi, M. K. (2022b). Latin hypercube sampling-based NSGA-III optimization model for multimode resource constrained time–cost–quality–safety trade-off in construction projects. International Journal of Construction Management, 22(16), 3158–3168. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2020.1843769
Sharma, K., & Trivedi, M. K. (2023a). Discrete OBNSGA III method-based robust multi-objective scheduling model for civil construction projects. Asian Journal of Civil Engineering, 24(7), 2247–2264. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42107-023-00638-w
Sharma, K., & Trivedi, M. K. (2023b). Modelling the resource constrained time-cost-quality-safety risk-environmental impact trade-off using opposition-based NSGA III. Asian Journal of Civil Engineering, 24(8), 3083–3098. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42107-023-00696-0
Sharma, K., & Trivedi, M. K. (2023c). Statistical analysis of delay-causing factors in Indian highway construction projects under hybrid annuity model. Transportation Research Record, 2677(10), 572–591. https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981231161594
Srinivas, N., & Deb, K. (1994). Muiltiobjective optimization using nondominated sorting in genetic algorithms. Evolutionary Computation. https://doi.org/10.1162/evco.1994.2.3.221
Tiwari, S., & Johari, S. (2015). Project scheduling by integration of time cost trade-off and constrained resource scheduling. Journal of the Institution of Engineers (india): Series A, 96(1), 37–46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40030-014-0099-2
Trivedi, M. K., & Sharma, K. (2023). Construction time–cost–resources–quality trade-off optimization using NSGA-III. Asian Journal of Civil Engineering, 24(8), 3543–3555. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42107-023-00731-0
Wang, T., Abdallah, M., Clevenger, C., & Monghasemi, S. (2021). Time–cost–quality trade-off analysis for planning construction projects. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 28(1), 82–100. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-12-2017-0271
Wang, X., Tang, Y., Song, R., & Li, J. (2023). A new model for investigating the effective factors in the development of modern clinical and health services in the time of COVID-19. Information Systems and E-Business Management. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10257-022-00616-w
Zheng, H. (2017). The bi-level optimization research for time-cost-quality-environment trade-off scheduling problem and its application to a construction project. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1837-4_62
Funding
Not applicable.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Ankit Shrivastava wrote the main manuscript and Mukesh Pandey reviewed the manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Shrivastava, A., Pandey, M. Integrating quality in resource-constrained time-cost trade-off optimization for civil construction projects using NSGA-III technique. Asian J Civ Eng (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42107-024-01068-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42107-024-01068-y