Construction site layout for minimization of transportation cost : step-by-step teaching approach

Abstract

Construction site layout concerns the choice of locations for temporary facilities (e.g., fabrication shops, staging areas, tower cranes) and construction waste. Construction site layout affects the transportation cost of materials and wastes in the site and hence is a key factor in construction management. Construction site layout involves complex decision processes that are usually formulated as optimization models. We propose a step-by-step teaching approach to facilitate students’ learning. In the approach, students first learn static site layout with only temporary facilities. Next, we teach dynamic site layout with only temporary facilities. Finally, dynamic site layout with both temporary facilities and waste is delivered. This step-by-step teaching approach alleviates the learning burden for students.