Research on the resolution of construction project duration delay disputes based on a case-based reasoning model

Purpose This study aims to address the persistent inefficiencies and inconsistent outcomes in construction project duration delay disputes. It seeks to develop an intelligent decision-support model using case-based reasoning (CBR) to systematically extract and reuse experiential knowledge from historical judicial judgments. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a CBR methodology. First, judicial judgments in China were systematically collected and structured to establish a comprehensive case library of construction delay disputes. Second, three-element attributes were identified to systematically represent each case. Third, the study introduced a two-level retrieval mechanism to screen similar cases and optimized the similarity calculation method. Finally, the proposed CBR model was validated using an actual mediation case. Findings This study proposed a CBR model as a structured framework for resolving construction delay disputes. A case library comprising 312 construction delay dispute judgments from China Judgments Online was constructed. Based on the historical cases, a three-element case representation framework encompassing delay causes, dispute attributes, and adjudication outcomes was established. A hybrid similarity measurement method integrating distinct local similarity functions for symbolic, numerical, and ordinal attributes was developed. The model was validated both feasible and effective. Originality/value This study contributes to the advancement of intelligent dispute resolution by providing a structured pathway for experience mining and knowledge reuse. It also offers methodological guidance for reducing transaction costs and improving efficiency of construction delay dispute resolution.