Topologically adaptive ant colony optimization for scheduling mega-structure pile foundations with endogenous spatio-temporal constraints
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/jcem.2026.28639Abstract
Pile foundation scheduling of super-large engineering structure presents significant concerns and challenges due to the dynamically triggered and evolved vibration exclusion zones generated by impact boring. However, conventional resource-constrained project scheduling theories often exhibit spatial blindness, resulting in cascading construction critical path delays. Therefore, this study proposes a Topologically Adaptive Ant Colony Optimization (TA-ACO) algorithm embedded within a state-dependent simulation environment. The algorithm employs a dual-colony cooperative mechanism to effectively decouple the adversarial resource coupling between piling crews and grouting crews. Specifically, a novel look-ahead heuristic strategy is introduced, guiding crews to maximize spatial sparsity, which is analogous to solving the Maximum Independent Set problem and avoiding topological deadlocks. Computational experiments demonstrate that TA-ACO effectively mitigates spatial fragmentation and reduces the project makespan by 21.5% to 28.3% across different large-scale instances, compared to the industry-standard greedy strategy. The engineering application results of large airports show that the proposed algorithm compressed the construction period of a critical zone, which includes 97 pile foundations, from 47 days to 34 days, securing a valuable 13-day lead time for subsequent superstructure assembly.
Keywords:
intelligent construction, project scheduling, pile foundation, ant colony optimization, decision-dependent uncertainty, spatio-temporal constraintsHow to Cite
Share
License
Copyright (c) 2026 The Author(s). Published by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Abotaleb, I., Nassar, K., & Hosny, O. (2016). Layout optimization of construction site facilities with dynamic freeform geometric representations. Automation in Construction, 66, 15–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2016.02.007
Chen, L., Jiang, C., Huang, Y., & Wu, W. (2026). Uncertainty-aware cloud resource management via fuzzy-adaptive hierarchical reinforcement learning. Applied Soft Computing, 186, Article 114157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asoc.2025.114157
Cheng, C., Shan, R., Wu, X., & Lv, S. (2024). An integrated distributionally robust model for two-echelon patient appointment scheduling. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 198, Article 110593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2024.110593
Ding, H., Zhuang, C., & Liu, J. (2023). Extensions of the resource-constrained project scheduling problem. Automation in Construction, 153, Article 104958. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2023.104958
Ge, Y., & Wang, A. (2021). Spatial scheduling for irregularly shaped blocks in shipbuilding. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 152, Article 106985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2020.106985
Han, R., Li, X., Shen, Z., & Jia, D. (2024). A framework of robust project portfolio selection problem under strategic objectives considering the risk propagation. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 31(12), 4872–4896. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-08-2022-0801
Hartmann, S., & Briskorn, D. (2022). An updated survey of variants and extensions of the resource-constrained project scheduling problem. European Journal of Operational Research, 297(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2021.05.004
He, S., Zhou, Y., Yang, Y., Li, X., Liu, Y., & Liu, T. (2025). Vulnerable sequence identification for sequential cascading failure analysis in power grid. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 21(6), 4830–4840. https://doi.org/10.1109/TII.2025.3547022
Homem-de-Mello, T., Kong, Q., & Godoy-Barba, R. (2022). A simulation optimization approach for the appointment scheduling problem with decision-dependent uncertainties. INFORMS Journal on Computing, 34(5), 2845–2865. https://doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2022.1212
Hong, S., & Park, S.-K. (2015). Effect of vehicle-induced vibrations on early-age concrete during bridge widening. Construction and Building Materials, 77, 179–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.12.043
Hu, M., Zhou, M., Zhang, Z., Zhang, L., & Li, Y. (2025). A novel disjunctive-graph-based meta-heuristic approach for multi-objective resource-constrained project scheduling problem with multi-skilled staff. Swarm and Evolutionary Computation, 95, Article 101939. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.swevo.2025.101939
Jing, S., & Fu, W. (2026). Integrated optimization approach for skill-aware and collaborative IC design portfolios decision to enhance R&D project effectiveness and resilience. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 213, Article 111765. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2025.111765
Kerkhove, L.-P., & Vanhoucke, M. (2017). Optimised scheduling for weather sensitive offshore construction projects. Omega, 66, 58–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2016.01.011
Kwon, B., & Lee, G. M. (2015). Spatial scheduling for large assembly blocks in shipbuilding. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 89, 203–212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2015.04.036
Lei, J., Zhang, Y., Chen, Y., Zhao, J., & Ren, W. (2026). A multiobjective construction site layout and safety planning model based on evolutionary algorithms. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 164, Article 113177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engappai.2025.113177
Li, L., Zhang, J., Zhang, H., & Leus, R. (2025). A novel hyper-heuristic based on surrogate genetic programming for the three-dimensional spatial resource-constrained project scheduling problem under uncertain environments. Computers & Operations Research, 179, Article 107013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cor.2025.107013
Ma, D., Cao, X., Zeng, B., Jia, Q.-S., Chen, C., Zhai, Q., & Guan, X. (2025). Proactive robust hardening of resilient power distribution network: Decision-dependent uncertainty modeling and fast solution strategy. IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, 22, 14953–14966. https://doi.org/10.1109/TASE.2025.3564483
Mozhdehi, S., Baradaran, V., & Hosseinian, A. H. (2024). Multi-skilled resource-constrained multi-project scheduling problem with dexterity improvement of workforce. Automation in Construction, 162, Article 105360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2024.105360
Ostapska, K., Hingorani, R., Tecław, W., Kaufmann, F., Gradeci, K., & Rüther, P. (2025). Automated robotic deconstruction sequence planning from scan-to-BIM data for reinforced concrete structure reuse. Automation in Construction, 180, Article 106548. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2025.106548
Pan, Y., & Zhang, L. (2021). Roles of artificial intelligence in construction engineering and management: A critical review and future trends. Automation in Construction, 122, Article 103517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2020.103517
Pfitzner, F., Braun, A., Borrmann, A., & Bosché, F. (2025). Spatial analysis and complexity evaluation for predicting rebar installation duration. Automation in Construction, 179, Article 106462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2025.106462
Salhab, D., Sabek, M., Pourrahimian, E., Gonzalez, V. A., & Hamzeh, F. (2026). Integrated framework of computer vision and fuzzy systems for lean workspace management in construction. Automation in Construction, 181, Article 106618. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2025.106618
Tao, S., Wu, C., Sheng, Z., & Wang, X. (2018). Space-time repetitive project scheduling considering location and congestion. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 32(3), Article 04018017. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000745
Vermeire, G., & Vanhoucke, M. (2025). A priority rule heuristic for the multi-skilled resource-constrained project scheduling problem. Applied Soft Computing, 171, Article 112776. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asoc.2025.112776
Xu, Z., Lu, X., Guan, H., & Ren, A. (2014). High-speed visualization of time-varying data in large-scale structural dynamic analyses with a GPU. Automation in Construction, 42, 90–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2014.02.020
Yang, Y., Chen, C., & Li, T. (2024). Automated construction site layout design system for prefabricated buildings using transformer based conditional GAN. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 62(Part D), Article 102885. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2024.102885
Zhang, X., Ma, S., & Chen, S. (2020). Healthcare service configuration based on project scheduling. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 43, Article 101039. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2020.101039
Zhang, J., Li, L., Demeulemeester, E., & Zhang, H. (2024). A three-dimensional spatial resource-constrained project scheduling problem: Model and heuristic. European Journal of Operational Research, 319(3), 943–966. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2024.07.018
Zhong, H., Zhang, Y., & Gu, Y. (2022). A bi-objective green tugboat scheduling problem with the tidal port time windows. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 110, Article 103409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2022.103409
Zhu, B., Zheng, Y., Luo, C., Zhang, H., Gong, L., Yang, J., & Yang, B. (2025). Experimental investigation and micro-mechanisms of early-age vibration effects on the strength and permeability of fiber reinforced concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 504, Article 144634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.144634
View article in other formats
CrossMark check
Published
Issue
Section
Copyright
Copyright (c) 2026 The Author(s). Published by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.