Arabian Journal of Geosciences (2021) 14: 543

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-06793-1

ORIGINAL PAPER

Construction site layout planning using GIS overlay analysis—A

case study
Murat Atmaca 1 & Cemil Akcay 2

Received: 26 December 2019 / Accepted: 18 February 2021 / Published online: 18 March 2021
# Saudi Society for Geosciences 2021

Abstract
The main purpose of a planned construction project is the completion of targeted productions under specified constraints. For this
purpose, a wide variety of organizations take place inside and outside of the construction site. Depending on the diversity and
complexity of the organizations, the quality and efficiency of the work are directly affected. Achieving the goals of the con-
struction site under various constraints gives workflow and planning prominence. With good planning, the workflow can be
provided and the quality of the organizations within the construction site increases depending on this workflow, because efficient
planning starts with the installation of the construction site. Mobilization, which means construction site installation, is critical for
an efficient construction site. The mobilization plan, which is prepared for taking the construction site and all other criteria into
account, is regarded as the first step for a planned construction site. Computer-aided systems are used in many fields with
developments in recent years. GIS (Geographical Information Systems) has the potential to generate new information from
location data. In this study, a decision support system has been developed utilizing GIS for mobilization, which is critical for
construction site efficiency. In this regard, the “Weighted Overlay” plug-in within the ArcGIS software, which is one of the GIS
tools, has been used as an auxiliary tool in the site selection of temporary facilities which will be set up in mobilization, as well. In
the final stage, a mobilization plan was prepared for a construction site selected for the case study.

Keywords GIS . Weighted overlay . Construction site layout . Temporary facilities . ArcGIS

Introduction
Construction production develops in a very complex structure.
It is an organizational structure where a wide range of
manufacturing needs to be developed under certain con-
straints. Therefore, prospective planning is always carried
out in such organizations and progress is made by these plans.
The overall planning determines the quality of the construc-
tion site and works environment. Mobilization, which is the
first step of planning, is defined as the planning and establish-
ment of temporary facilities to achieve targeted productions.
These temporary facilities need to be arranged in such a way
Responsible Editor: Biswajeet Pradhan
* Cemil Akcay
cakcay@istanbul.edu.tr
1
Institute of Graduate Education, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa,
34320 Istanbul, Turkey
2
Faculty of Architecture, Istanbul University, 34116 Istanbul, Turkey
that they will not interfere with productions and accelerate the
workflow. In case of a planning error in the mobilization plan,
the rearrangement of temporary facilities creates additional
costs for the construction site and may result in labor and time
losses. A well-planned construction site layout means time
savings and relatively low operating costs (Elbeltagi, 2004).
Most of the project managers are aware that a construction site
placement has a significant impact on the cost performance of
the project. When conflicts come out and a temporary facility
needs to be relocated, the loss does not only consist of facility
relocation cost but also waiting for time, labor intervention,
labor morale, and business continuity (Cheng, 1994).
Although the construction sector is progressing traditional-
ly, error rates are reduced using auxiliary tools to solve versa-
tile and complex systems. GIS is considered as a technology
that has not yet been fully recognized by the construction
sector (Cheng & Yang, 2001). GIS enables analysis with cer-
tain variables transferring geographic information to the sys-
tem in a processable way, and thanks to its development in
recent years, it is also used in mobilization works. GIS is
especially used in spatial-based studies and employed as an
auxiliary tool for facility layout in mobilization planning.
543 Page 2 of 14
Fig. 1 Reclassification of two input data
In a study carried out for reasons of construction accidents
that occurred in Turkey in the Aegean region, among the
environmental factors of construction accidents,
“Worksurface/Site layout” ranks first with 44% (Baradan
et al., 2016). This value emphasizes how important the con-
struction site layout is in preventing construction work acci-
dents. Also, construction site mobilization affects the duration
and cost of the construction project (Elbeltagi, 2004). In
Turkey construction industry, site layout planning is done
based on traditional methods, trial-error approach, or man-
agers’ experiences. This situation makes it difficult to detect
faults in the system before conflicts occur in the construction
site.
A four-step approach is used to obtain the TF (temporary
facilities) layout: (1) TF must be defined and sized, (2) TF
relations with each other should be investigated (proximity
relationships), (3) modeling and analysis, and (4) evaluation
and planning. Within the scope of this study, the first two steps
mentioned above were carried out with a questionnaire study.
The criteria for the temporary facilities needed were deter-
mined uniquely by the survey made to the professionals of
the subject. The obtained results were modeled and analyzed
with the help of the “Weighted Overlay” extension in the
ArcGIS software. The application was made on a real con-
struction site. The optimum facility location was selected by
considering all the criteria defined with ArcGIS and consider-
ing all the relations between the facilities.
When the literature research is done, it seems that there are
a lot of studies have been done regarding construction site
mobilization using different techniques like multi-criteria de-
cision-making methods, genetic algorithm, and particle
swarm. However, there are very few studies done that using
programming techniques such as geographic information
Table 1 Order of the five selected temporary facilities by priorities
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14: 543
systems and ArcGIS. Therefore, we believe that this study
constitutes a good reference for using the ArcGIS software
in construction site layout.
Literature review
Construction site layout planning is a task that includes the
identification of temporary facilities, their size and shape, and
arrangements within the construction site under certain con-
straints (Tommelein 1992). These temporary facilities include
residential areas, warehouses, workshops, maintenance work-
shops, concrete plants, construction equipment, and other site
accessories (Ning & Lam, 2011). Facilities can be logically
allocated in places where the movement of laborers and equip-
ment at the site are planned to be minimal to minimize the
operational cost of site resources (Osman & Georgy, 2005).
The arrangement of temporary facilities has a significant im-
pact on savings and efficiency in construction costs, especially
for large-scale projects. Comprehensive site construction
planning can ensure a smooth flow of materials, equipment,
and tasks. In this way, the safety and efficiency of construction
site organizations can be increased (Kumar, 2015). One of the
primary problems in the installation of the construction site is
to determine the appropriate areas where temporary facilities
will be located. Due to the lack of standard measurement
methods, managers cannot measure productivity loss due to
improper placement. Usually, most designers create layouts
adapting previous layouts to the current project based on their
experience. Therefore, as long as there are no problems by the
designers, it is difficult to identify the problems arising from
the temporary facilities (Cheng, 1996). The main point of
effective site placement is to ensure safety in addition to the
smooth and cost-effective flow of materials, labor, and equip-
ment in the area. Health and safety problems are ignored in
most of the studies on site layout planning and organization.
Construction site accidents can be prevented by site layout
planning to be made by taking such criteria into consideration.
It is stated, in literature, that appropriate site management is
vital to reduce hazards and accidents at construction sites
(Anumba & Bishop, 1997). The causes of dangers such as
construction site accidents, falls, falling objects, site
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14: 543 Page 3 of 14 543

per person (m3)

placement, and transport can be controlled by establishing an

Air volume
effective layout (Elbeltagi, 2004). Cheng et al. (1994) devel-
oped an automated construction site layout system for tempo-

26.25
rary construction facilities. In the study, the ArcSite program

15

–
–
6
was used to identify suitable areas for temporary facilities.
Proximity index (PI) was employed to determine the optimum

person (m2)
region of each temporary facility. In another study, the system

Area per
developed by Cheng et al. (1996) provides a method for sys-

8.75
tematically acquiring experts’ knowledge and experience in

–
–
5
2
site planning. The system has developed an intuitive

Air volume (m3)

approach to create potential areas for each temporary
facility. Also, an objective function called proximity index
has been developed to determine the optimal location of

1312.5

412.5
2700
2250
1500
each temporary facility. Also, Cheng and Yang (2001) intro-
duced the material plan system, which integrates GIS-based
cost estimates with construction planning to automate the

Total facility
planning tasks required for material placement.

area (m2)
When the literature on construction site layout planning is

412.5
437.5

2700
2250
1500
researched, it is seen that more metaheuristic optimization
algorithms and multi-objective optimization models are used
in the construction site layout planning problem to determine

The number
the optimal location of each temporary facilities (Al

of floors
Hawarneh et al., 2020). Ning et al. (2010) suggested utilizing
the max-min ant system, which is one of the ant colony opti-

1
2

1
2
2
mization (ACO) algorithms, to solve dynamic construction
site layout planning (CSLP) problems. For this purpose, he

area (m2)
proposed to solve the multi-objective optimization (MOO) Facility

218.75

137.5
problem using the weighted sum method with the max-min

375

600
250
ant system (MMAS) approach. Said et al. (2013) presented a
Approximate capacities and dimensions of the five selected temporary facilities

new compact construction logistics planning (C2LP) model

height (m)

capable of modeling and using internal areas of buildings to

Facility

establish optimal logistics plans for material supply and stor- 4.5
age in congested construction sites. In the proposed model, the 3
3
3
3

layout problem is addressed with four types of decision vari-

dimension (m)

ables (material acquisition, material storage, plant layout, and

scheduling of non-critical activities) using multi-purpose ge-
12.5×17.5

10×13.75
12.5×20
Facility

20×30
15×25

netic algorithms. Kumar et al. (2015) presented an automated

approach in building dynamic site layout models using infor-
mation from building information modeling (BIM) in their
study. In the designed algorithm, personnel and equipment
Capacity
(person)

in the field were used to develop an optimization approach

750
150

considering real travel routes. Oral M. et al. (2016) used a

50

–
–

genetic algorithm (GA) in the construction site layout prob-

lem. The artificial bee colony (ABC) approach was preferred
Management office

in the construction site layout planning applications developed

Social facility

by Yahya and Saka (2019). More recently, Benjaoran and

Storehouse
Dormitory

Peansupap (2020) solved the site layout problem using the

Cafeteria

particle swarm optimization model (PSOM) with one objec-

tive function that is based on the transportation distance be-
tween facilities and the close relationships between them.
Geographic information systems (GIS) are one of the
Facilities
Table 2

fastest-growing computer-based technologies of the past two

decades. They are being used in diverse application areas
543 Page 4 of 14
Fig. 2 Slope reclassify process
related to civil engineering such as disaster management sys-
tems, construction scheduling and progress control, environ-
mental problems, hydrologic, infrastructure management sys-
tems, irrigation and drainage, transportation, and urban plan-
ning (Sebt et al., 2008; Puko & Arditi, 2008; Bansal, 2020).
Zhong et al. (2004) integrated GIS with visualization tech-
niques for planning and visualizing dam construction
processes. Poku and Arditi (2006) developed a system called
PMS-GIS (Progress Monitoring System with Geographical
Information Systems) to represent graphical construction
progress. Han et al. (2020) discuss the application prospect
of GIS-BIM integration technology in construction schedule
management, site material management, and safety
management of construction personnel. Application of GIS
in construction site layout planning has not been
encountered much in the literature. Sebt et al. (2008) empha-
sized the effect of temporary facilities arrangement on
Fig. 3 Direction reclassify process
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14: 543
construction costs. In his study, he presented an application
of GIS technology to the site layout. The site layout is ana-
lyzed and edited in a GIS environment, and the results showed
that GIS can solve site layout problems. In recent years,
Kumar et al. (2019) used GIS for the safe placement of tem-
porary facilities in mountainous areas.
As a part of information technology, GIS provides effective
solutions especially for spatial problems of construction pro-
jects. Since site mobilization is also a spatial problem, the use
of GIS in this area provides highly practical and viable solu-
tions. The study aims to provide an innovative perspective
proposing the use of GIS in place of the traditional methods
that are still used in construction site mobilization. Within the
scope of this study, a decision-making model has been
established using geographical information systems. In the
first stage, a survey was conducted to determine the most
appropriate site selection criteria for TF facilities. As a result
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14: 543
Fig. 4 Blocks reclassify process
of the survey, criteria were determined besides weight ratios
and priority levels among themselves. Followingly, the re-
sults, which were obtained using weighted overlay analysis
for TF facilities, were analyzed integrating to the computer
environment. Using real construction site data in the case
study, it was aimed to obtain the optimum solution creating
a site mobilization plan which was prepared as a result of the
analysis made through ArcGIS and taking into account the
other auxiliary issues.
Methodology
For the construction site layout, first, it is necessary to decide
on the site facilities and their capacities. Following the deci-
sion on the facilities to be installed on site and their qualifica-
tions, the order of facilities installation, the relations of the
Fig. 5 Entrance doors reclassify process
Page 5 of 14 543
facilities with each other, and the criteria for determining the
location of the installation should be determined. Once the
criteria are determined, the weight ratios of the criteria are
assigned and the optimum layout of the construction site fa-
cilities is carried out. In this approach, the weighted overlay
analysis system of Arcgis program which is geographic infor-
mation system software was used for site mobilization.
Weight assignment to the criteria
Decision-making is when the decision-maker chooses the
most appropriate option among the available options (Evren
and Ulengin, 1992). Multi-criteria decision-making covers
criteria that vary according to the decision-maker. Therefore,
it is necessary to obtain information about the relative impor-
tance of the criteria. Criterion weights are determined by
assigning a weight indicating the relative importance of each
543 Page 6 of 14 Arab J Geosci (2021) 14: 543

Fig. 6 Ring roads reclassify process

criterion relative to another one (Ozturk & Batuk, 2007). The
purpose of determining criterion weights is to specify the im-
portance of each criterion over the other criteria (Malczewski,
1999). Small changes in criteria weights might change the
result in many circumstances. Thus, determining the weights
of the criteria is one of the most important stages of the
decision-making process. The determination of weights in
the decision-making process is carried out by assigning a
weight indicating the relative degree of a criterion over the
other criteria (Malczewski, 1999). Therefore, it is not possible
to evaluate the criterion weights stand-alone. Each weight
indicates the degree of relationship to other criteria.
The main methods used to determine the weight of the
criteria are ranking, rating, pairwise comparison, and trade-
off analysis. The method for the determination of criterion
weights in decision-making problems according to multiple
criteria belongs to the decision-maker. The decision-maker
decides the method to be used evaluating differences such as
ease of use, accuracy, comprehensibility, and theoretical struc-
ture of the methods (Ozturk & Batuk, 2007). In case of limited
or uncertain information about criteria, uncertainties on
weights can be solved appling fuzzy logic. Also, in case of
uncertainty about the relative importance of the criteria, the
decision-maker expresses verbally his/her preferences regard-
ing the evaluation criteria. These verbal expressions are con-
verted to fuzzy numbers. Many numerical methods exist for
converting verbal terms into fuzzy numbers. Several methods
also exist for assigning weights, which is one of the most
important stages of the decision-making process. One of these
methods can be selected according to the decision-makers’
preferences. The weights assigned to the criteria directly affect
the results of the analysis. In the case of uncertainties in the
relationship between criteria, weights can be determined using
fuzzy logic method.
Weighted overlay
The concept of site selection is the choice of the location that
will provide the best benefit in the short and long term under
the various criteria. Interpretation of the data, which are ob-
tained as a result of overlapping all criteria on a single output,
is carried out assigning weight and ratio to the criteria.
The weighted overlay tool can be defined as a multi-
layered and multi-criteria assessment tool. A new layer is cre-
ated by assigning weight ratios to multiple raster data itself,
also considering and overlapping to the other layers. The

Table 3 Classification of criteria for site selection of management office

Attendance rates (%) Survey results for the management office

1 (%) 2 (%) 3 (%) 4 (%) 5 (%)

Distance to the blocks 20 44 17 26 9 4

Distance to entrance door 20 6 14 34 25 21
Distance to the ring road 20 6 13 43 23 15
Slope 20 73 16 8 1 2
Direction 20 14 47 18 6 15
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14: 543 Page 7 of 14 543

Table 4 Weight matrix for site selection of management office

Weight matrix for the management office

1 2 3 4 5

Distance to the blocks 0.44×0.20 0.17×0.20 0.26×0.20 0.09×0.20 0.04×0.20

Distance to entrance door 0.06×0.20 0.14×0.20 0.34×0.20 0.25×0.20 0.21×0.20
Distance to the ring road 0.06×0.20 0.13×0.20 0.43×0.20 0.23×0.20 0.15×0.20
Slope 0.73×0.20 0.16×0.20 0.08×0.20 0.01×0.20 0.02×0.20
Direction 0.14×0.20 0.47×0.20 0.18×0.20 0.06×0.20 0.15×0.20

weighted overlay tool allows implementing several steps of
overall site selection analysis in a single tool. Weighted over-
lay operations involve the integration of multiple layers to
create a new data set. The resulting layer contains new spatial
objects with different properties and topological information
(Sebt, 2008).
The steps for the operation of the tool are listed below:
1. The values in the input raster are reclassified on a unifying
scale, taking into account a common compliance, risk, or
preference scale
2. The cell values of each raster are multiplied by their im-
portance weight.
3. The output raster is obtained by combining the cell values.
3. Each input raster is weighted according to its significance
level or effect. The sum of the weight ratios should be
equal to 100.
4. New output rasters are obtained by multiplying the input
rasters by the weight ratios
The reclassification of the two input data on a scale is
shown in Fig. 1. Weight ratios are assigned for each area.
Numerical values in cells were multiplied by weight ratios
and output rasters were obtained.
Construction site layout with geographical
information system: a case study

Use of the tool:
1. All input rasters must be an integer. Non-integers can be
transformed using raster reclassification tools
2. A new value is assigned to each of the value classes in the
input raster based on the rating scale. These new values
are a reclassification of the input raster.
The application part of the study was carried out in two stages.
In the first stage, a survey was conducted to determine the
criteria of the facilities to be established on the construction
site. In the second stage, following the determined criteria, the
analysis process was implemented using the weighted overlay
plugin in the ArcGIS software. In the scope of this study, five
facilities needed in large scale construction sites were planned.

Fig. 7 Appropriate areas obtained from the weighted overlay analysis for the management office are shown in green
543 Page 8 of 14 Arab J Geosci (2021) 14: 543

Fig. 8 Optimal site selection for the management office (purple color)

These facilities include a management office, dormitory, caf- Case study

eteria, storehouse, and social facility.
The construction site for mobilization planning is located in
Istanbul/Turkey and consists of 10 residential blocks, one
Data obtaining commercial block, one indoor pool, one social facility, and
one decorative pool. In the scope of the project, there are
A two-stage survey was conducted to obtain the data for anal-
two main entrance doors. Regarding its location, it is close
yses. In the first survey, the installation sequence of the five
to the ring roads and main connection roads. The fact that
identified facilities was investigated. Within this scope, 20
the construction will last about 2 years makes the location
participants working as supervisors and above positions in
of the temporary facilities to be established even more im-
construction sites were interviewed. As it is shown in
portant, because it is aimed to keep the facilities in the same
Table 1, the order obtained as a result of the survey is in the
position for 2 years. In accordance with planning, the in-
form of the management office, dormitory, cafeteria, store-
stallation, which does both provide the best solution in
house, and social facility.
terms of performance and not hinder the flow of the work,
was aimed.
A second survey was conducted to determine the criteria of
facilities of which installation order was identified by the first
survey. In the scope of the second survey, the questions relat-
Preparing the ArcGIS model and results
ed to the relationship between the facilities and the criteria that
should be considered for mobilization were arranged. Thus,
Data collection
the criteria such as slope, direction, and distance to be consid-
ered in the layout for each facility were evaluated. In the scope
The project includes approximately 500 construction
of the survey, 290 participants who are working as an architect
workers, 30 technical personnel, and 20 administrative
or engineer in construction sites were contacted.

Table 5 Classification of criteria and weight ratios for dormitory site selection

Attendance rates (%) Survey results for the dormitory

1 (%) 2 (%) 3 (%) 4 (%) 5 (%)

Distance to the blocks 17 62 11 18 6 3

Distance to entrance door 17 19 21 35 16 9
Distance to the ring road 17 20 21 37 14 8
Slope 16 68 21 9 1 1
Direction 16 2 57 24 2 15
Distance to the management office 17 38 26 23 8 5
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14: 543
Fig. 9 Appropriate areas obtained from weighted overlay analysis for dormitory are shown in green
personnel. These criteria should be considered when deal-
ing with the shape and size of facilities to be established. A
series of parameters were obtained as a result of literature
research on this subject. Accordingly, (i) in dimensioning
of the management office, 4–6 m2 floor area per person in
office spaces is suitable and this area should not be smaller
than 3 m2; (ii) the air volume in the workplaces, including
the volumes occupied by machinery, materials, and similar
facilities, must be at least 10 m3 per worker and no more
than 4 m of the ceiling height should be taken into account
in the calculation of the air volume; (iii) in the workplaces,
the sum of the side and top windows and the luminous
surfaces of the culverts for receiving external light should
be at least 1/10 of the floor surface of the workplace; (iv) in
dimensioning of the dormitory, the total area per worker
should be at least 5 m2; (v) the ceiling height in the wards
should not be less than 2.8 m, and the air volume per person
Fig. 10 The spaces shown in purple are selected as the most appropriate area for the dormitory
Page 9 of 14 543
should be calculated as at least 12 m3; and (vi) when plan-
ning the cafeteria of the construction site, the total area of
the dining hall and auxiliary units must be calculated to be
at least 2 m 2 per person (Mungen 2003, Erdem 2008).
Considering these points, the approximate capacities and
dimensions of the planned facilities were specified and pre-
sented in Table 2.
Facility site selection
The concept of site selection is defined as the selection of the
location that will give the best benefit in the short and long
term considering various criteria. Assigning weight and ratio
to the criteria, the data obtained as a result of the overlapping
of all criteria on a single output is interpreted. In this study, the
layout for determining facilities will be implemented with the
weighted overlay tool in ArcGIS software based on criteria
543 Page 10 of 14 Arab J Geosci (2021) 14: 543

Table 6 Classification and weight ratios for cafeteria site selection

Attendance rates (%) Survey results for the cafeteria

1 (%) 2 (%) 3 (%) 4 (%) 5 (%)

Distance to the blocks 14 48 17 21 10 4

Distance to entrance door 14 11 26 43 14 6
Distance to the ring road 14 14 25 41 13 7
Slope 14 68 19 11 1 1
Direction 14 11 45 24 8 12
Distance to the management office 15 10 21 40 22 7
Distance to the dormitory 15 5 9 21 28 37

obtained from the surveys. The weighted overlay tool can be
defined as a multi-layer and multi-criteria evaluation instru-
ment. It is the step of creating a new layer by overlapping the
multiple raster data by itself and by giving weight ratios rela-
tive to other data layers. With the help of the new layer that
will be obtained, appropriate site selection will be carried out
for the facilities. Site selection analysis and results for the
selected facilities will be explained in detail.
To be used in facility site analyses, the raster data must be
reclassified and the float values should be converted to inte-
gers. After this stage slope analysis to create curve surfaces,
aspect analysis for direction analysis and buffer analysis to
define the domains of other facilities are performed. The data
obtained is converted into raster data and then reclassify is
performed. The data generated after reclassification are repre-
sented as integer values. After all these steps, the necessary
analyses to determine the facility layout can be implemented.
In Figs. 2–6, the results of the reclassify operation for the
slope, direction, blocks, entrance door, and ring road are
shown.
Site selection for management office
As a first step, the weighted overlay process is applied for the
site selection of the management office whose dimensions are
determined. The criteria classification and rates, which were
used in site selection for the management office, are shown in
Table 3 and Table 4. The weighted overlay analysis results
obtained after defining these values in ArcGIS are presented
in Fig. 7.
The analysis for finding the sum of the weights for point A
is presented in Figs. 5 and 6. As it is shown in the figure, the
distance from point A to the blocks, the entrance door, and the
ring roads is in second, fourth, and third class, respectively.
Also, the slope level is in the second class and it is in the fourth
class in terms of direction.
Weight calculation for point A is given as follows:
A ¼ 0:17  0:20 þ 0:25  0:20 þ 0:43  0:20 þ 0:16
 020 þ 0:06  0:20
¼ 0:214

Fig. 11 Proper areas obtained from weighted overlay analysis for the cafeteria are shown in green
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14: 543
Fig. 12 The most appropriate area for the cafeteria (purple color)
Examining the obtained results, green areas in Fig. 7 depict
the most appropriate spaces for the management office.
Among these spaces, the area shown in Fig. 8 has been select-
ed, since its location is close to the main entrance and infra-
structure installations. Also, the visitors can come without
entering the construction site and its location is thought to be
dominant over the construction site.
Site selection for dormitory
Following the placement of the management office in the
designated area, site selection for the most appropriate area
will be carried out for the dormitory. To do that, firstly, the
buffer, raster, and reclassify operations must be repeated as in
other facilities for the management office defined in the
Fig. 13 Appropriate areas obtained from weighted overlay analysis for storehouse are shown in green
Page 11 of 14 543
model. The buffer limit is determined by taking the farthest
point of the construction site as a reference. The distance was
found as 500 m by measurements. The buffering process was
implemented by dividing a 500-m length of buffer zone into
five classes.
For site selection of dormitory, the weighted overlay pro-
cess can be performed. The criteria and values obtained from
the surveys are employed for this task. In this evaluation, the
management office should also be taken into account. The
classes and weights of the criteria for dormitory site selection
are listed in Table 5. The results obtained for the site selection
of dormitory following the weighted overlay analysis are
shown in Fig. 9.
Assessing the analysis results, the green areas shown in
Fig. 9 are the most suitable areas for dormitory site selection.
The area shown in Fig. 10 was selected due to its distance
543 Page 12 of 14
Fig. 14 Appropriate areas obtained from weighted overlay analysis for social facilities (green regions)
from the management office, being able to grow in the desired
direction in later stages and allowing the use of separate doors
with management.
Site selection for cafeteria
Site selection for the cafeteria will be implemented after the
settling of the dormitory into the defined area. Like previous
applications, firstly, buffer, raster and reclassify operations
must be repeated as in other facilities for the dormitory defined
in the model. The buffer limit is specified taking the further-
most point of the construction site as a reference. Through
measurements, this distance was determined as 400 m. The
buffering process was carried out by dividing a 400-m buffer
zone length into five classes.
weighted overlay process can be carried out for cafeteria
site selection. For this step, the criteria and values obtained
Fig. 15 The most appropriate areas selected for storehouse and social facility
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14: 543
from the surveys are utilized. The management office and
dormitory should be considered in this assessment. In
Table 6, the classes and weights of the criteria determined
for the cafeteria are presented. The results obtained for cafe-
teria site selection as a result of the weighted overlay analysis
are given in Fig. 11.
Considering the analysis results, the green spaces shown in
Fig. 11 are appropriate areas for cafeteria site selection.
Evaluating all these spaces, the area shown in Fig. 12 was
selected. Since its location is on an internal road within the
construction site and provides equal distance from the man-
agement office and dormitories.
The steps explained above were repeated for the storehouse
and social facilities. Weighted overlay process results obtain-
ed following a series of analyses are presented in Fig. 13. By
means of obtained results, the identified areas were found to
be appropriate for the layout of the storehouse.
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14: 543
Fig. 16 Construction site layout plan after site selection of all facilities
Considering site selection analysis results, the most appro-
priate spaces for storehouse area the green areas shown in
Fig. 14. Among all these areas, the area shown in Fig. 15
was preferred, because its location is close to the main en-
trance, management office, and internal road within construc-
tion. The area location also allows growing in the desired
direction in later stages. Assessing site selection analysis result
for the social facility, the green areas shown in Fig. 14 are
determined as the most suitable areas. The area shown in
Fig. 15 was selected through a final decision. Since it is locat-
ed in close proximity to the cafeteria and the center of the
construction site and in addition, it is on an internal road with-
in the site.
Following the site selection of all facilities, Fig. 16 shows
the construction site layout plan. In this planning, the layout of
temporary facilities was addressed in such a way that they do
not interfere with the workflow and manufacturing on a con-
struction site. Relocation of facilities will not be needed until
the end of the construction period with this planning. It is also
planned to allow the expansion of critical facilities.
Discussions
In this study, a decision-making model has been proposed
using geographical information systems. As a result of the
analyses performed through ArcGIS, a meaningful result
was obtained according to the criteria determined for use.
Following this point at which multi-criteria were considered,
other auxiliary issues were taken into consideration in the
layout of the facilities. Thus, it was aimed to find the optimum
solution. In these kinds of planning, the managers should cre-
ate a decision-making model considering some criteria such as
we pointed out in this study rather than that based on experi-
ence or trial-error approach. Thus, by reducing the error rate
Page 13 of 14 543
originated from individuals, the decisions will be based on the
analysis results, because a mistake at the beginning of the
planning will bring about a domino effect on the operations
of the manufacturing. To avoid such negative effects, plan-
ning by means of auxiliary tools is very important in terms of
minimizing potential future damages. The criteria in the deci-
sion support system developed for site selection using the
geographic information system were determined through a
survey of technical personnel such as project managers and
site supervisors. ArcGIS software was used to establish the
spatial relations, visualization, and analysis in the decision
support system to determine the most optimal settlement
areas. The ArcGIS software performs a variety of complex
and comprehensive analyses to achieve optimum plant loca-
tion selection. These analyses are difficult to do manually.
Slope, direction, distance to the highway, and the relationship
of facilities with each other taking into account criteria such as
the site layout of the workplace as a result of the facility to
provide more effective safety and reduce costs will benefit.
Using the decision support systems as in the study instead of
mobilizing the site based on experience will provide more
realistic data in project planning. As each construction work
is unique, the same criteria can be used with the method in this
study, and because of adding new criteria, construction works
can be mobilized in all construction works.
Conclusions
The complexity and diversity of construction methods require
making productions by a pre-defined plan. Construction site
mobilization is vitally important in terms of minimizing po-
tential future damages and returns in manufacturing.
Construction costs can be reduced with good planning. The
loss of time and work safety risks that may arise in the future
543 Page 14 of 14
can be minimized, as well. In current construction conditions,
the costs increase due to mobilization without planning and re-
installation and transportation operations originated from plan-
ning errors adversely affect the construction site works. To pre-
vent such damages, the mobilization step should be planned, and
all criteria should be taken into consideration. These criteria must
be addressed based on variables such as the direction of produc-
tion in a construction site, the number of workers, the number of
workers who stay in the construction site, determination of the
density areas of the site, planning of entrance, and exit scenarios.
The main objective is to arrange the temporary facilities, which
will be established in accordance with the mobilization plan so
that it does not need to relocate to the end of the construction and
maximizes the functionality. The workflow should be taken into
consideration in planning, as well. Positioning these facilities as
far as possible from the operation of the manufacturing site will
minimize the potential risks and vulnerabilities related to work
safety. In a mobilization responding to various criteria, it is im-
possible to achieve the perfect solution, because each of the
construction sites has its special conditions. Therefore, it is not
possible to create a standard for the mobilization plan.
Accordingly, certain standards in mobilization should be
established and each construction site should be evaluated on
its own merit. In this respect, it is aimed to reach an optimum
solution with the mobilization plan. Thus, maximum efficiency is
provided in mobilization.
In this study, the criteria for the temporary facilities needed
were determined uniquely by the survey made to the profes-
sionals of the subject and the application was made on a real
construction site using ArcGIS software. We believe the study
findings will be a good reference for boosting ArcGIS imple-
mentation in construction site layout in Turkey.
Acknowledgements The paper is preparedusing the data of master thesis
titled “Optimum site layout planning usinggeographical information sys-
tems”. The thesis prepared by Murat Atmaca issupervised by Dr. Cemil
Akcay.
Declarations
Conflict of interest The author(s) declare that they have no competing of
interests.
Arab J Geosci (2021) 14: 543
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