Sustainable Geotechnics—Theory, Practice, and Applications

Multi-Criteria Optimization of Mechanized Earth Processes and Its Impact on Economic and Environmental Sustainability

The optimization of mechanized construction processes has a very important impact on economic and environmental sustainability. Our analyses evaluate key factors that affect the quality, environment, and economics of mechanized earth processes. This paper also presents approaches in this area in Slovakia and abroad, and existing mathematical models for the optimal design of earthmoving machinery. The main goals of our paper are the proposal of a method of machine selection for excavation including a multi-criteria optimization method with software support and application and verification of this method in a model example. A total of nine scientific methods applied in our paper are analyzed. The key results of the research work in terms of the set goals are given in the Conclusion, where the key research results are summarized. The results of the research work presented in the paper have a direct impact on economic and environmental sustainability, which can be achieved already in the phase of construction preparation. Applications of information technologies in multi-criteria optimization of the selection of construction machines for earth processes enables their use in the BIM (building information modeling) model.