Productivity improvement and resource optimization for construction operation using simulation model

Abstract

A series or parallel completion of different independent or dependent activities carries out a construction operation. These activities sometimes require common resources which make it difficult to schedule the construction operation effectively. Eventually it leads inefficient use of resources which lengthen the project duration and increase cost. Therefore improving construction productivity to reduce duration and cost is very important for a construction project. Total Ineffective Time of a construction project can be minimized through proper planning and scheduling prior to construction. Additionally, it would also help the project manager to choose from different alternative plans on the basis of suitable cost. Manual calculation and planning is complicated and time consuming considering the interaction of different work activities, resources and lengthiness of the project. This situation has motivated the study to figure out the usefulness of simulation models for minimizing project duration and cost. Simulation models can be an efficient tool to generate effective plans and schedules as they consider complex interactions among various units on the jobsite to evaluate the performance of the construction operation. A simulation model has been developed using STROBOSCOPE simulation language in this study. The model has considered various resource combinations for the analysis. The construction of a real life project has been selected as case project for the study. The construction operation that has been selected for the model development is a RAMP of FLYOVER which consists of earth excavation and sand filling, construction of base foundation, slab casting. Simulation has been run for different combination of resources. The results show that simulation model is very effective to select the optimum combination of resource that produces minimum project duration and cost. It is hoped that the study will be a guideline for the construction projects to ensure minimum duration and cost.