Optimizing Schedule Duration of Repetitive Construction Considering Reducing Overtime Hours

The acceleration method has been significant in past studies that sought to reduce overtime in repetitive projects. The purpose of this paper is to present a novel optimization model that minimizes total overtime hours while achieving a specified project deadline for repetitive construction projects. To achieve this objective, the study develops a dual-model algorithm. The proposed method offers unique capabilities for identifying an optimal/near-optimal schedule that minimizes overtime utilization while meeting the project deadline. The method computations are organized into two main models: (1) an optimization model that searches for and identifies an optimal schedule that minimizes the overtime hours and (2) a scheduling mdoel that presents novel algorithms to determine the project duration and start and finish times of each repetitive unit while providing the flexibility of (a) utilizing multiple crews to perform the work in an activity, (b) considering any feasible crew assignment strategy, (c) utilizing unique crew assignment strategy for each activity, and (d) complying with crew work continuity constraint. To demonstrate the application and effectiveness of the proposed method, a case study is presented to illustrate the study concept, method, and computations, and to highlight the method’s novel capabilities by comparing its results with previous algorithms in the literature. The main findings reveal that the proposed method reduces overtime utilization by at least 86.4% compared with previous models. The results demonstrate the algorithm’s effectiveness in optimizing repetitive projects and achieving stakeholder satisfaction, instilling confidence in the proposed methodology’s potential to improve project outcomes.