Improvement Algorithm for Limited Space Scheduling

Selecting construction methods, scheduling activities, and planning the use of site space are key to constructing a project efficiently. Site layout and activity scheduling have been tackled as independent problems. Their interdependence is often ignored at the planning stage and may be dealt with—if at all—when construction is underway. Problems that may have had easy solutions if dealt with earlier, may then be expensive to remedy. This paper addresses the combined problem termed ‘‘space scheduling’’ and presents an algorithmic time-space trade-off model for adjusting activity durations and start dates to decrease the need for space over congested time periods. The model characterizes resource space requirements over time and establishes a timespace relationship for each activity in the schedule, based on alternative resource levels. An example illustrates the presented algorithm that generates a feasible space schedule.