Integrated Decision Support Framework of Optimal Scaffolding System for Construction Projects

Selecting the appropriate temporary facilities is important for reducing cost and improving the productivity and safety of craft professionals in construction projects. However, the manual planning process for scaffolding systems is typically prone to inefficiencies. This paper aims to develop a kno...

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Main Authors: Haifeng Jin, Paul M. Goodrum
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-07-01
Series:Algorithms
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4893/16/7/348
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author Haifeng Jin
Paul M. Goodrum
author_facet Haifeng Jin
Paul M. Goodrum
author_sort Haifeng Jin
collection DOAJ
description Selecting the appropriate temporary facilities is important for reducing cost and improving the productivity and safety of craft professionals in construction projects. However, the manual planning process for scaffolding systems is typically prone to inefficiencies. This paper aims to develop a knowledge-based framework for a scaffolding decision support system for industry. An integrated two-phase system was established, including a technical evaluation module and a knowledge-based module. First, the system identifies feasible scaffolding alternatives from the database through a rule-based algorithm. Second, a knowledge-based module was designed to assess the alternative performance. The framework effectively generated the ranking of scaffolding alternatives, and the top three influential factors were identified, including the site accessibility, protection to workers and health risk. Thus, an application study of an industrial steel project was proffered to validate the effectiveness of the framework. The proposed framework may help decision-making regarding the implementation of temporary facility planning in industry practices. It has wider applicability because it simultaneously considers site conditions, productivity, safety, and financial benefits, and is designed and implemented through a computerized path. The paper contributes to the industry by developing an integrated decision support system for temporary facilities. Additionally, the practical contribution of this research is the provision of an optimized scaffolding planning method that could be utilized as a guide when implementing the decision support system.
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spelling doaj.art-d453fc20199149c29437c129b04c57752023-11-18T17:59:23ZengMDPI AGAlgorithms1999-48932023-07-0116734810.3390/a16070348Integrated Decision Support Framework of Optimal Scaffolding System for Construction ProjectsHaifeng Jin0Paul M. Goodrum1Department of Economics and Management, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, ChinaDepartment of Construction Management, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80623, USASelecting the appropriate temporary facilities is important for reducing cost and improving the productivity and safety of craft professionals in construction projects. However, the manual planning process for scaffolding systems is typically prone to inefficiencies. This paper aims to develop a knowledge-based framework for a scaffolding decision support system for industry. An integrated two-phase system was established, including a technical evaluation module and a knowledge-based module. First, the system identifies feasible scaffolding alternatives from the database through a rule-based algorithm. Second, a knowledge-based module was designed to assess the alternative performance. The framework effectively generated the ranking of scaffolding alternatives, and the top three influential factors were identified, including the site accessibility, protection to workers and health risk. Thus, an application study of an industrial steel project was proffered to validate the effectiveness of the framework. The proposed framework may help decision-making regarding the implementation of temporary facility planning in industry practices. It has wider applicability because it simultaneously considers site conditions, productivity, safety, and financial benefits, and is designed and implemented through a computerized path. The paper contributes to the industry by developing an integrated decision support system for temporary facilities. Additionally, the practical contribution of this research is the provision of an optimized scaffolding planning method that could be utilized as a guide when implementing the decision support system.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4893/16/7/348knowledge-based systemmulti-criteria assessmentfuzzy theorytemporary facilitydecision support system
spellingShingle Haifeng Jin
Paul M. Goodrum
Integrated Decision Support Framework of Optimal Scaffolding System for Construction Projects
Algorithms
knowledge-based system
multi-criteria assessment
fuzzy theory
temporary facility
decision support system
title Integrated Decision Support Framework of Optimal Scaffolding System for Construction Projects
title_full Integrated Decision Support Framework of Optimal Scaffolding System for Construction Projects
title_fullStr Integrated Decision Support Framework of Optimal Scaffolding System for Construction Projects
title_full_unstemmed Integrated Decision Support Framework of Optimal Scaffolding System for Construction Projects
title_short Integrated Decision Support Framework of Optimal Scaffolding System for Construction Projects
title_sort integrated decision support framework of optimal scaffolding system for construction projects
topic knowledge-based system
multi-criteria assessment
fuzzy theory
temporary facility
decision support system
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4893/16/7/348
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