An environmental assessment and optimization method for contractors

This research explores how a multi-objective optimization method can provide Pareto optimal solutions that will help the contractor select a construction scheme that performs well on all environmental metrics. A quantitative environmental assessment and optimization method (EAOM) was established to evaluate and optimize the construction environmental performance using a combination of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). Assessment and optimization were implemented as two integrated and interactively functional modules to complement LCA in multi-objective decision support. In a case of reinforced concrete project, EAOM generated four Pareto construction schemes within 864 possible solutions in a remarkably short time. The results indicate that EAOM is an effective and efficient decision support tool that contractors can implement to improve the environmental performance of construction processes.