Keywords: construction delay, fuzzy logic, fuzzy controller, Mamdani procedure, fuzzy set, project delay, project delay enabling causes.

In this paper, the Mamdani fuzzy control approach was employed to assess the likelihood of project delay. Linguistic values can be used to express subjective judgment in construction. The linguistic value approach and fuzzy set theory is adopted to assess the conditions of delay direct contributing factors of material and labor conditions. The Mamdani fuzzy control approach was introduced in this paper to assess the likelihood of project delay. A graphical model is presented for use in the determination of the likelihood of project delay.

In this paper, a computer model that can be implemented to assess the likelihood of project delay is introduced. The potential benefits of this tool are multifold: (1) users can use their subjective opinion to monitor and control the likelihood of project delay, (2) when using this tool, users do not need to understand the underlying concept of fuzzy logic and fuzzy set theory which is often complex in nature. Hence, the authors expect that the study's result will contribute to the improvement of project control in terms of schedule and project delays.

The Mamdani fuzzy control model introduced in this paper is based on the fuzzy set triangular model. The selection of the triangular model is due to many reasons. The strength of the triangular model lies in the fact that this model is very easy to interpret. Furthermore, assessment of the degree of the likelihood of delay to occur is determined according to the horizontal shift of the weighted average centroid value. If the weighted average centroid shifts to the left, this is an indication that the likelihood of project delay is critical and management need to take action to prevent the project delay. If the weighted average centroid value shifts to the right, this is an indication that the likelihood of project delay is in better condition than before and that management action is minimizing the likelihood of project delay. Furthermore, the triangular model is very clear and easy to interpret by users of the model. Also, the triangular model can provide flexibility in the membership function of linguistic terms. This is due to the fact that the triangular model requires a range of input values from experts to determine the membership function.

purchase the full-text of this paper (price £20)

go to the previous paper
go to the next paper
return to the table of contents
return to the book description
purchase this book (price £95 +P&P)