Geometric information scheduling to identify and resolve spatial conflicts and increase efficiency of space use on construction projects

Geometric Information Scheduling to Identify and Resolve Spatial Conflicts And Increase Efficiency of Space Use on Construction Projects Edward Phillip Schied, Jr. , Ph. D. Director: Gunnar Lucko, Ph. D. , Associate Professor One of the major problems with construction scheduling is the identification and avoidance of spatial conflicts between activities. These conflicts can lead to rework and delays which translate into increased construction costs. Historically, the construction manager is responsible for identifying and eliminating activity time-space conflicts based on his/her experience. Previous studies proposed time-space conflict resolution through schedule modification. This research develops a new procedure that identifies potential time-space conflicts between activities while generating the construction schedule. Each activity is modeled as a rectangular cuboid with coordinates oriented along the {x-y-z} planes. The approach consists of sequencing the rectangles into the site and forms the basis of the schedule. Heuristics are used to optimize the space usage resulting in the most efficient construction schedule for the given construction space. A major advantage of this approach is the relative simplicity of the process and thus the increased likelihood of implementation on construction sites. In a case study, the process was validated by producing a construction schedule for a completed interior renovation project. The geometric information schedule process reduced the CPM network schedule submitted by the contractor by 31. 6%. The results of the study are favorable and confirm potential use for this process in practice. This research expands time-space management concepts previously presented and defines these concepts in a user-friendly fashion.