Improved Precast Production-Scheduling Model Considering the Whole Supply Chain

Production scheduling plays a key role in the prefabricated construction productivity and on-time delivery of precast components (PCs). However, the processes before and after the production of PCs were ignored in previous scheduling studies. These operations account for a large proportion of the PCs' processing time in practice. To ensure the accurate calculation of PC's completion time and its on-time delivery, this study integrates the mold manufacturing, PC storing, and transportation processes to modify the traditional production-scheduling model from the perspective of the whole PC supply chain. Further, the three scenarios of daytime, night, and all-day transportation are analyzed to conform to the practice. Based on the genetic algorithm, two case studies are conducted to test the validity of the proposed scheduling model. The modified schedule could achieve 17.7, 35.7, and 15.4% cost savings in the three scenarios, respectively. The methodology will enhance the feasible production scheduling and promote on-time delivery of PCs. (C) 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.