A Modified Sine Cosine Algorithm for Time-Cost Trade-Off Problem

The relationship between time and cost in a construction project is commonly referred to as a trade-off, where using fewer resources will result in a longer project completion time. The optimization of construction project scheduling and management has been a subject of extensive research, with particular emphasis on time-cost trade-off problems (TCTPs) in recent years. The sine cosine algorithm (SCA) has become a potential technique in this domain, as it is a straightforward evolutionary technique that can efficiently exploit the search area. However, SCA has a limited capacity to explore the search area, resulting in quick convergence and local optimization. To address this issue, a new modified sine cosine algorithm (mSCA) has been introduced, which combines the roulette wheel mechanism and SCA to enhance its ability to explore the search area. The mSCA’s performance was evaluated through three small-scale test problems of time-cost optimization, each comprising 18 activities. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of mSCA in solving small-scale TCTPs in comparison to state-of-the-art techniques.