This text explains the methods used in solving linear and integer programming models, using simplified numerical examples. It also describes less common methods such as Farrier's method for linear inequalities, projective transformations and Booleau algebra applied to 0-1 integer models.

/pdf/model-solving-in-mathematical-programming-1xs65mhvns.pdf

Model solving in mathematical programming

Gain a sound conceptual understanding of the role that management science plays in the decision-making process with the latest edition of the book that has defined today's management science course: Anderson/Sweeney/Williams/Camm/Martin's AN INTRODUCTION TO MANAGEMENT SCIENCE: QUANTITATIVE APPROACHES TO DECISION MAKING, REVISED 13th Edition. The trusted market leader for more than two decades, the new edition now prepares readers for success with the latest developments in Microsoft Office Excel 2010, including data sets, applications and screen visuals throughout that reflect Excel 2010. Readers learn from the book's proven applications-oriented approach, powerful examples, and problem-scenario approach that introduces each quantitative technique within an applications setting. Readers can get a copy of LINGO software and Excel add-ins with the book's online content. A copy of the popular Microsoft Project Professional 2010 accompanies the book on CD.

Study guide to accompany an introduction to management science : quantitative approaches to decision making

Sgraffito is an ancient decorative technique applied in walls, produced by using layers of cement plaster tinted in contrasting colours to a moistened surface. This decoration originated in Italy and has been expanded in different European cities or villages. Nowadays, this decoration technique has almost disappeared because of decomposition, inexperience, or lack of knowledge. The preservation and restoration of the sgraffito technique is the most challenging and vital task of cultural heritage buildings’ preservation. Consequently, the conservation of sgraffito depends not only on the historical and architectural knowledge, studies, and conservation projects of the cultural heritage buildings, but also demands the experience, proper qualification, and knowledge of the contractor. This paper presents six principal criteria. Three possible variants for contractor selection for sgraffito decoration of cultural heritage buildings are proposed, and six principal criteria for their evaluation are suggested. The research employs the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), SWARA (Step-Wise Weights Assessment Ratio Analysis), and WASPAS-SVNS (Weight Aggregated Sum Product Assessment-Single- Valued Neutrosophic Set) methods.

https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/22/6444/pdf

Contractor Selection for Sgraffito Decoration of Cultural Heritage Buildings Using the WASPAS-SVNS Method

Textile color formulation using linear programming based on Kubelka‐Munk and Duncan theories

Most of the real-world optimization problems involve various complexities, including nonlinearity, nonconvexity, discontinuity, and mixed variable types. In such cases, the classical algorithms are found to be either impractical or ineffective. In response, the search and optimization algorithms developed using heuristics offer a reasonable alternative. They are usually stochastic in nature and mimic the natural, physical, or biological principles. However, the metaheuristic techniques do not claim to achieve the exact global optimal solutions, but they always provide the near-optimal solution in a competitive time. Therefore, their practical appeal and ease of implementation, and the devise of high-speed computational devices made them popular in many application domains. This chapter provides the backgrounds, working principles, flowcharts, and pseudocodes of several popular and widely adopted metaheuristic algorithms. The discussion of the chapter shall assist the readers in understanding the fundamental features and differences of the explored algorithms that eventually guide them to choose the most appropriate algorithms for their problems. Moreover, many of the discussed algorithms are employed in solving several optimization problems throughout this book. 

Metaheuristic optimization techniques

More issues in construction management were found especially for decision making that related to the Arabian construction management office requirements. Operation research especially linear programming models considered one of the most important tool used in optimization applications at many fields of production engineering and mass production, also linear programming applications was developed to construction engineering field. This paper presents a linear programming technique to spotlight decision making application for optimizing competitive bidding strategy to select best tender as shown in real case study. Therefore, project manager or decision maker can use this concept for getting the best project cost. This paper give linear programming concepts that are reviewed to describe recent linear programming component which had large focus on related time-cost and time problems for studied project. Linear programming models are formulated to solve various cost and time problems by using LINDO software. The developed models had many limitations and restrictions for studied project. Construction managers can use it to explore more possible opportunities to predict influence of decision for construction to facilitate preferred different management objectives. Linear programming implementation shows the practice of wide variety for construction problems especially cost with time issues and it is more applicable to generate a shortest computational effort and time with low cost.

Linear programming applications in construction sites

Unbalanced construction bidding covers different allocations of mark-up between contract project items to attempt and increase win chances with unbalance but without changing of total bid price. Many models have been developed to increase both the systemized execution and detection of unbalancing but, although unbalancing is thought to be widespread in general, substantially not known it use. Proposed unbalanced construction bidding models of many researchers neglected part of improve profitability. This paper inspects and integrates the construction bidding models techniques for determining price of each unit quantity and take advantage of bidder benefits, then all proposed mathematical models is studied carefully and more modifications will be done to tries to be fair and equitable for providing owner quantities that impact directly on items prices. Finally it was concluded that the maximum/minimum models are preferred for many world cases. At end of paper, a case of study will be presented to demonstrate the use of proposed models for optimizing project bidding. Also, this paper will serve as a guide for construction project stakeholders with effective management to perform a competitive level of project pricing.

Integration between different construction bidding models to improve profitability and reduce prices

Most important construction problems facing building operations are how to choose a contractor specialized in implementing major projects. In addition to that the increasing costs of raw materials, work force leading to the rise of construction costs. Therefore in this paper hierarchy method has been studied and it has been identified for organizations allowing them to minimize common risks of the decision-making process and management. Construction contractor can be prequalification using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) as powerful management technique. Prequalification contractor aims at eliminating in competent contractors in the bidding process. This kind of prequalification helps both of the public and private project owners to successful achieve for required project tasks. The project will be completed with is estimated cost and time because of the contractor’s skill, capability and efficiency. Case study gathers a number of contractor’s or companies data. After studying Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) of a set of criteria, table of contractor’s technical evaluation was concluded all experience, financial situation and the contractor’s classification in the Union of Contractors. In addition labor’s progress, availability equipment for contractor is applied using Value Engineering (VE) to raise the performance level and reducing costs. Hence, value engineering will be demonstrated, where its goal is to raise the performance level and functionality with the ability to reduce costs. The case study of this paper is a construction project of a hospital, administration building, and staff housing building. It was applied the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and was extracted contractor’s evaluation table of a set of criteria (the previous experience, financial situation and the contractor’s classification in the Union of Contractors. Also labor’s progress, available equipment for the contractor and the contractor applying Value Engineering). The previous data are gathered through the contractor’s proposal, while (VE) is applied as process steps on a construction project case study.  2018 Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license

Decision support system for selecting optimal construction bid price

The earned value management is a leading technique in monitoring and analyzing project performance and project progress. To fill the gap of limited researches for studying factors inhibiting the ability of contractors to effectively control their projects, a survey was conducted on 22 construction project organizations. It was noted that most project managers and contractors in Egypt find difficulty in controlling project costs due to problems which include Change order, Changes in the design, Errors in the design, current economic situation deterioration, Delay project and Rising prices of materials. Main objectives of this paper are; 1) Identify and prioritize main problems for lack of techniques which cause poor management of cost control with poor site organization and inadequate supervision. 2) Demonstrate the modified Activity Based Costing system as best choices for cost accounting approach for determining construction project accurate cost. To improve capital project cost schedule and predictability using project control system for monitoring and predicting the construction project outcomes. The detailed scope of control systems must base on complexity, size and sensitivity strategy of studied project.

https://jesaun.journals.ekb.eg/article_177147_79c52bc962caa6796ad0b2cd76e07f4c.pdf

Assessments of Barriers to Implementing Cost Control and Optimal Cost Reduction Techniques in Construction Projects: A Case Study of Egypt

In construction projects,reduce the cost while keeping the level of quality is an important matter, which defined as Value Engineering(VE). The main concern of VE is to search for the most effective type of works in construction projects to save project direct cost by maximizing or keeping target quality for the studied project. It is a difficult challenge to keep a balance between maximizing project quality with corresponding its minimum cost and duration at the same time. When the value-engineering process is used, each factor affecting the cost is taken into consideration all detailed studies as a specific unified factor to determine its suitable alternatives. This Paper investigates ordering the types of works in terms of effectiveness in the cost saving using the value engineering process for construction projects in Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire has been used to obtain results of only valid samples from all 205 responses, which analyzed and discussed. This study concerned with types of works in a correlation with the four main engineering categories; construction, mechanical, electrical and finishing work. The results indicate the difference effect of using value engineering between these major categories of construction engineering works. Finally, the importance score index applied to appraise the influence of the tested types of works when applying VE process on the project cost.This paper also serves as a resource and guide for construction managers, contractors, and more efficient management in the construction of Saudi projects in order to achieve a sustainable level of cost and quality.

https://jesaun.journals.ekb.eg/article_189809_9a5c8fba53f814f6f1129a301993ecf7.pdf

Yasser M.R. Aboelmagd

Papers

Linear programming applications in construction sites

Integration between different construction bidding models to improve profitability and reduce prices

Decision support system for selecting optimal construction bid price

Assessments of Barriers to Implementing Cost Control and Optimal Cost Reduction Techniques in Construction Projects: A Case Study of Egypt

Types of Works in Construction Projects in Terms of Effectiveness When Applying Value Engineering in Saudi Arabia