A dynamic programming solution to automate fabrication sequencing of industrial construction components

• Published in: Automation in construction Vol. 40; pp. 9 - 20
• Main Authors: Hu, Di, Mohamed, Yasser
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 15.04.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Algorithms; Applied sciences; Automated planning; Automation; Building process; Buildings. Public works; Construction industry; Construction works; Cycle time; Dynamic programming; Exact sciences and technology; Industrial construction; Miscellaneous; Optimization; Pipe; Pipe spool fabrication sequence; Spools; Dynamic programming; Industrial construction; Automated planning; Pipe spool fabrication sequence; Automation; Pipe; Building functional element; Petrochemical industry; Manufacturing process; Formulation; Example; Planning; Artificial intelligence; Sequencing
• ISSN: 0926-5805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.autcon.2013.12.013

Increasing complexity of petro-chemical projects, fast-tracked engineering, and tighter schedules pose a challenge for pipe spool fabrication shops. To maintain competitiveness, it is necessary to improve the shop performance, i.e. fabrication cycle time. Pipe spool fabrication sequence is found to have significant impact on cycle time and presents an area with potential for improvement. Traditionally, fabrication sequences are determined by shop foremen in a heuristic manner and optimality is not guaranteed. This paper presents a dynamic programming (DP) algorithm to automatically identify the optimal fabrication sequences for pipe spools. Simulation experiments are conducted to test the effectiveness of the algorithm by comparing the cycle times resulting from the algorithm-generated sequences and human-planner-designed sequences, respectively. The results show that the DP algorithm reduces unnecessary position-welding (9 out of 20 position-welds) and results in a reduction in the total fabrication cycle time by a range of 4.8% to 12%. •We aimed to automate sequence planning for pipe spool fabrication.•Used dynamic programming solution to find optimal pipe spool fabrication sequence•Described in detail the DP algorithm and its full implementation in python•Simulation experiments verified the effectiveness of dynamic programming algorithm.