Use of linear programming for decision making: An analysis of cost, time and comfort of rural housing dwellings

Uso de programação linear para tomada de decisão: Uma análise de custo, tempo e conforto de habitações rurais

ABSTRACT

Brazilian agriculture production requires new types of rural buildings that are more sustainable, economical, and well adapted to their environment. Furthermore, these buildings are no longer simple living quarters, but a way of valuing rural workers. Thus, this study aimed to create a linear programming model for optimizing decision-making when different techniques and construction materials are combined to build rural housing dwellings, thereby enabling an assessment of both the cost and comfort of such buildings. The research considered localizing network facilities via analogies in order to adapt a budget matrix. Three main criteria were applied: cost, runtime, and the environmental comfort provided. The model comprised six construction systems, three types of sealing masonry, two types of roofing, and four types of tiles. Simulations were performed for two Brazilian states, considering the same reference date of validation and comparison. Each input variable resulted in a different construction model. It was demonstrated that the new industrialized construction technologies are advantageous since they provide faster execution, competitive prices, and sustainable raw materials, whilst the application of the criteria to the traditional system of reinforced concrete is also feasible. The linear programming model offers its users an additional decision-making tool for construction systems, enabling time and resource optimization.

Key words:
budget matrix; optimization; construction techniques