Applying an ant colony optimization algorithm-based multiobjective approach for time-cost trade-off

The time-cost trade-off is one of the most crucial aspects of construction project planning, which in fact is a combinatorial optimization problem. This technical note employed an evolutionary algorithm-ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm to deal with the time-cost trade-off problems. Combining with the modified adaptive weight approach, the ACO algorithm can find out the optimal solutions, and define the Pareto front as well. The development of the ACO-based multiobjective approach in this technical note provides an attractive alternative to solving construction time-cost optimization.