Computer model for selection of tower crane location in construction site

Abstract Selecting an appropriate tower crane location is a critical planning decision that significantly influences construction efficiency, project cost, and site safety. Once installed, the crane location largely determines material flow and operational coordination across the construction site, highlighting the importance of early-stage planning. This study proposes a systematic computer-aided decision-support model to assist engineers in identifying a suitable tower crane location under realistic site constraints. The proposed framework integrates key environmental and operational criteria—such as operator visibility, weather conditions, wind load, lifting distance, and worker fatigue—using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy AHP) to determine the relative importance of each criterion. These weights are subsequently combined with a rule-based weighted scoring approach implemented in a Python-based computational model to evaluate and rank multiple candidate locations. The applicability of the proposed model is demonstrated through a real-world construction case study of a hospital project in Ismailia, Egypt, in which several feasible crane locations were assessed and ranked. The results indicate that the model provides a transparent and practical evaluation framework, clearly explaining the rationale behind selecting a preferred location. The proposed model is intended as a decision-support tool for early-stage construction planning rather than a numerical optimization system. It enhances planning efficiency, reduces reliance on ad hoc judgment, and promotes more consistent and informed decision-making in construction site layout