Dynamic resource optimization in earthworks

Several studies in the fields of Geotechnics and Transportation have shown the benefits of applying optimization systems in the decision-making process. By adopting these optimization systems in design and planning phases, many advantages can be obtained, such as finding resource allocation solutions that simultaneously optimize a set of parameters, for example, construction cost, execution durations, and carbon emissions. Nevertheless, current solutions encompass prediction and/or offline optimization systems, whose adaptability to unforeseen events during construction (e.g., equipment malfunction, unexpected presence of different geomaterials, weather variations, among others) is limited, depending on manual system updates by the construction manager. Most recently, the technological developments related to Industry 4.0 promoted the exploration of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and digital twins by the construction sector. Therefore, by integrating the predictive and optimization offline systems with these new technologies, it provides the capability to monitor equipment and processes in real-time. In this context, this chapter provides a general framework for a real-time optimization system that is adaptable to any process in the geotechnics field. To demonstrate its applicability, a case study applying this framework to earthworks processes is also presented.