EvoSite: Evolution-Based Model for Site Layout Planning

Abstract

Appropriate site layout of temporary facilities is crucial for enhancing the productivity and safety on construction sites. Site layout planning, however, is a complex problem, and researchers have attempted to solve it using a variety of optimization-based and heuristic-based techniques. In this paper, a genetic-algorithm-based model for site layout planning is presented. The advantages of the model stem from three main characteristics: (1) It applies to any user-defined site shape; (2) it accounts for the user preference in the relative closeness among the facilities; and (3) it incorporates a genetic algorithm procedure to search for the optimum layout in a manner that simulates natural evolution. Based on the proposed model, a comprehensive system for site layout planning (EvoSite) is developed. EvoSite uses an intuitive spreadsheet representation of the site and the facilities, and automates the evolution of layout solutions. Details of model development and implementation are described, and an example application is presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the EvoSite system. The advantages, limitations, and future extensions of EvoSite are then discussed.