The use of artificial neural networks in construction management: a review

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are systems that can learn. A neural system can be trained on a set of input and output data belonging to a particular problem. If new data of the same problem, but not in the training set, are presented to the system, the ANN can use the learned data to predict outcomes without any specific programming relating to the category of events involved. The fields of application of ANNs have increased dramatically in the past few years. A large variety of possible ANN applications now exist for non-computer specialists. Therefore, with only a very modest knowledge of the theory behind ANNs, it is possible to tackle complicated problems in a researcher's own area of speciality with the ANN technique. This is true in the field of construction management, the topic of this review. The review is divided into three sections: a background introduction to ANN methods, a review of the most important application of the ANN techniques to this point and a selection of construction management topics that have potential application.