Optimization Models for Reducing Off-Cuts of Raw Materials in Construction Site

More than ten billion tons of construction waste are generated every year in the world. The large volume of construction waste not only increases costs for contractors, but also poses a threat to the environment. A significant proportion of construction waste consists of off-cuts of raw materials. T...

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Main Authors: Haoqing Wang, Wen Yi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-12-01
Series:Mathematics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/10/24/4651
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author Haoqing Wang
Wen Yi
author_facet Haoqing Wang
Wen Yi
author_sort Haoqing Wang
collection DOAJ
description More than ten billion tons of construction waste are generated every year in the world. The large volume of construction waste not only increases costs for contractors, but also poses a threat to the environment. A significant proportion of construction waste consists of off-cuts of raw materials. Therefore, to reduce construction waste, this study builds an optimization model to reduce the volume of off-cuts of raw materials. We then develop two solution methods—a mixed-integer linear programming method and a column generation method—to solve the proposed optimization model. We conduct numerical experiments to test the efficiency and applicability of our proposed model. The mixed-integer linear programming method obtains optimal solutions and is suitable for solving small-scale instances, whereas the column generation method gives high-quality solutions within seconds and is suitable for solving large-scale instances. In the large-scale instances, the column generation method reduces waste by over 10% compared to the use of two straightforward decisions rules. Our findings will help construction projects decrease material off-cuts, reduce costs, and achieve sustainable construction.
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spelling doaj.art-44bce049d500419fbe8deafd6bed64a82023-11-24T16:27:24ZengMDPI AGMathematics2227-73902022-12-011024465110.3390/math10244651Optimization Models for Reducing Off-Cuts of Raw Materials in Construction SiteHaoqing Wang0Wen Yi1Faculty of Business, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaDepartment of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaMore than ten billion tons of construction waste are generated every year in the world. The large volume of construction waste not only increases costs for contractors, but also poses a threat to the environment. A significant proportion of construction waste consists of off-cuts of raw materials. Therefore, to reduce construction waste, this study builds an optimization model to reduce the volume of off-cuts of raw materials. We then develop two solution methods—a mixed-integer linear programming method and a column generation method—to solve the proposed optimization model. We conduct numerical experiments to test the efficiency and applicability of our proposed model. The mixed-integer linear programming method obtains optimal solutions and is suitable for solving small-scale instances, whereas the column generation method gives high-quality solutions within seconds and is suitable for solving large-scale instances. In the large-scale instances, the column generation method reduces waste by over 10% compared to the use of two straightforward decisions rules. Our findings will help construction projects decrease material off-cuts, reduce costs, and achieve sustainable construction.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/10/24/4651construction waste managementsustainable constructiongreen construction sitesinteger linear programming
spellingShingle Haoqing Wang
Wen Yi
Optimization Models for Reducing Off-Cuts of Raw Materials in Construction Site
Mathematics
construction waste management
sustainable construction
green construction sites
integer linear programming
title Optimization Models for Reducing Off-Cuts of Raw Materials in Construction Site
title_full Optimization Models for Reducing Off-Cuts of Raw Materials in Construction Site
title_fullStr Optimization Models for Reducing Off-Cuts of Raw Materials in Construction Site
title_full_unstemmed Optimization Models for Reducing Off-Cuts of Raw Materials in Construction Site
title_short Optimization Models for Reducing Off-Cuts of Raw Materials in Construction Site
title_sort optimization models for reducing off cuts of raw materials in construction site
topic construction waste management
sustainable construction
green construction sites
integer linear programming
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/10/24/4651
work_keys_str_mv AT haoqingwang optimizationmodelsforreducingoffcutsofrawmaterialsinconstructionsite
AT wenyi optimizationmodelsforreducingoffcutsofrawmaterialsinconstructionsite