Application of neural networks and neuro-fuzzy models in construction scheduling

Construction scheduling is a complex process that involves a large number of variables, making it difficult to develop accurate and efficient schedules. Traditional scheduling techniques rely on manual analysis and intuition, which are prone to errors and often fail to account for all the variables involved. This results in project delays, cost overruns, and poor project performance. Artificial intelligence models have shown promise in improving construction scheduling accuracy by incorporating historical data, site-specific conditions, and other variables that traditional scheduling methods may not consider. In this research study, application of soft-computing techniques to evaluate construction schedule and control of project activities in order to achieve optimal performance in execution of building projects were carried out. Artificial neural network and neuro-fuzzy models were developed using data extracted from a residential two-storey reinforced concrete framed-structure construction schedule and project execution documents. The evaluation of project performance indicators in earned value analysis from 0 to 100% progress at 5% increment with a total of seventeen tasks were carried out using Microsoft Project software and data obtained from the computation were utilized for model development. Using input-output and curve-fitting (nftool) function in MATLAB, a 6-10-1 two-layer feed-forward network with tansig activation-function (AF) for the hidden neurons and linear AF output neurons was generated with Levenberg-Marquardt (Trainlm) training algorithm. Similarly, with the aid of ANFIS toolbox in MATLAB software, the training, testing and validation of the ANFIS model were carried out using hybrid optimization learning algorithm at 100 epochs and the Gaussian-membership-function (gaussmf). Loss-function parameters namely MAE, RMSE and R-values were taken as the performance evaluation criteria of the developed models. The generated statistical results indicates no significant difference between model-results and experimental values with MAE, RMSE, R² of 1.9815, 2.256 and 99.9% respectively for ANFIS-model and MAE, RMSE, R² of 2.146, 2.4095 and 99.998% respectively for the ANN-model. The model performance indicated that the ANFIS-model outclassed the ANN-model with their results satisfactory to deal with complex relationships between the model variables to produce accurate target response. The findings from this research study will improve the accuracy of construction scheduling, resulting in improved project performance and reduced costs.