A procedure for critical path method-based scheduling in linear construction projects

Construction projects having identical or similar units, in which activities repeat from one unit to another, require schedules that ensure the continuous usage of resources from one unit to the next and the maintenance of the network logic between activities at the same time. This paper presents a procedure for critical path method-based (CPM) scheduling in linear construction projects that have repeating activities. The procedure concurrently provides the utilisation of resources without interruption and preservation of network relationships between successive units. With this procedure it is possible to represent activities by variable production rates through consecutive units and assign any kind of relationship type with lag time. The proposed procedure determines the critical units in two categories: logical and resource critical units. A spreadsheet has been developed on a table processor to computerise the procedure. Details of the procedure are described and an example application is presented.