Fuzzy Agent-Based Modeling of Construction Crew Motivation and Performance

Abstract

Recently, agent-based modeling (ABM) has been used to model construction processes and practices because it is capable of handling some of the complexities that arise from the interactions of system components. However, ABM alone cannot take into account the subjective uncertainty that exists in many construction systems. In this paper, a methodology for the development of fuzzy agent-based models in construction is provided, and its application is illustrated using a case study modeling construction crew motivation and performance. This paper makes three contributions: first, it expands ABM’s scope of applicability by integrating it with fuzzy logic to create fuzzy agent-based modeling (FABM) in construction, which can handle both probabilistic and subjective uncertainty; second, it provides a novel methodology for developing fuzzy agent-based models, allowing for the development of new models to assess construction processes and practices; and third, it develops a fuzzy agent-based model of construction crew motivation and performance, which improves the assessments of performance by considering not only the interactions of crews in the project, but also the subjective uncertainty in model variables.