Implementation of a Heuristic Algorithm for the Solution of Discrete Time Cost Trade-off Problem

Ayşe Nur Şengül; Nezir Doğan; Önder Halis Bettemir

doi:10.58190/imiens.2025.118

Authors

Ayşe Nur Şengül İnönü University https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4968-7153
Nezir Doğan İnönü University https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9685-0740
Önder Halis Bettemir Inonu University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5692-7708

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58190/imiens.2025.118

Keywords:

Time cost trade-off problem, optimization, heuristic algorithm, scheduling

Abstract

Time cost trade-off problem aims to minimize the total project cost by crashing the critical activities. This problem is solved by mathematical programming and meta-heuristic algorithms. However, construction sector has minimum priority on the theoretical knowledge to implement robust optimization algorithms. For this reason aforementioned optimization algorithms can be hardly implemented for the private construction companies. The nature of the time cost trade-off algorithm is not challenging and can be solved heuristically. In this study, a spreadsheet application is developed by utilizing in-app excel functions to identify the critical activities of the project and the paths of the project. The construction schedule is entered to the spreadsheet application as acticity on arrow diagram and the logical relationships between the activities are defined. Forward and backward pass computations are given as formulations which includes the actual activity durations. The developed application calculates the crashing costs of the critical activities and highlights the activities with the cheapest crashing costs. Prepaperd spreadsheet application implements a heuristic solution algorithm which is based on minimum cost slope of the construction activities. The user can easily execute the proposed or user selected crashing alternative and the schedule is updated according to the selection. The application is tested on 6 activity project and the optimum solution is obtained by crashing the activities sequentially. The proposed technique can be utilized to reduce the total project cost of the construction sector.

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Author Biographies

Ayşe Nur Şengül, İnönü University

Ayşe Nur Şengül started her undergraduate education at Inonu University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering and graduated in 2023. In the same year, she started her graduated program at Inonu University Institute of Sciences, Department of Construction. Her research interests focus on project time management and optimization. She is especially interested in time-cost analysis and optimization processes in construction projects.
Nezir Doğan, İnönü University

Nezir Doğan graduated from the Department of Civil Engineering at İnönü University in 2022. After his graduation, he started his master's degree at İnönü University and focused his studies on indoor positioning systems, project management and error analysis. In his research, he aims to develop innovative methods and integrate these methods into practical engineering applications.
Önder Halis Bettemir, Inonu University

Prof. Dr. Önder Halis Bettemir Graduated from Middle East Technical University, Department of Civil Engineering in 2003. Completed Master of Science studies at the Department of Civil Engineering in Geodesy and Photogrammetry discipline in 2006. Completed his Ph.D. studies at the Department of Construction Management at Middle East Technical University in 2009. Bettemir was assigned as Assistant Prof. to the Department of Civil Engineering of Yuzuncu Yil University in 2010 and studied in this university until 2014. Bettemir continued his academic career in İnönü University and obtained the degree of Assoc. Prof. in 2017. He became professor in 2023. His main research areas are Geographic Information Systems and Optimization of Construction Schedules. Moreover, exact quantity take-off by Building Information Modeling is his current study topic.

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