An optimization algorithm for simulation-based planning of low-income housing projects

Construction of low-income housing projects is a replicated process and is associated with uncertainties that arise from the unavailability of resources. government agencies and/or contractors have to select a construction system that meets low-income housing projects constraints including project conditions, technical, financial and time constraints. this research presents a framework, using computer simulation, which aids government authorities and contractors in the planning of low-income housing projects. the proposed framework estimates the time and cost required for the construction of low-income housing using pre-cast hollow core with hollow blocks bearing walls. five main components constitute the proposed framework: a network builder module, a construction alternative selection module, a simulation module, an optimization module and a reporting module. an optimization module utilizing a genetic algorithm enables the defining of different options and ranges of parameters associated with low-income housing projects that influence the duration and total cost of the pre-cast hollow core with hollow blocks bearing walls method. a computer prototype, named lihouse_sim, was developed in ms visual basic 6.0 as proof of concept for the proposed framework. a numerical example is presented to demonstrate the use of the developed framework and to illustrate its essential features.