A Microscopic Simulation Model for Earthmoving Operations
Earthmoving operations are a major part of many
construction projects. Because of the complexity and fast-changing
environment of such operations, the planning and estimating are
crucial on both planning and operational levels. This paper presents
the framework ofa microscopic discrete-event simulation system for
modeling earthmoving operations and conducting productivity
estimations on an operational level.A prototype has been developed
to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed framework, and this
simulation system is presented via a case study based on an actual
earthmoving project. The case study shows that the proposed
simulation model is capable of evaluating alternative operating
strategies and resource utilization at a very detailed level.
[1] D. J. Edwards and G. D. Holt, "Construction plant and equipment
management research: thematic review," Journal of Engineering, Design
and Technology, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 186-206, 2009.
[2] A. Law and W. D. Kelton, Simulation modeling and analysis, McGraw-
Hill: New York, NY, 2000.
[3] D. W. Halpin, "An investigation of the use of simulation networks for
modeling construction operations," PhD dissertation, Department of
Civil Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana,
IL, 1973.
[4] J. F. Lluch and D. W. Halpin, "Construction operation and
microcomputers," Journal of the Construction Division, ASCE, vol. 108,
no. 1, pp. 129-145, 1982.
[5] J. C. Martinez, "Stroboscope," PhD dissertation, University of Michigan,
Ann Arbor, MI, 1996.
[6] J. C. Martinez, "EZSTROBE - introductory general-purpose simulation
system based on activity cycle diagrams," in Proceedings of the 2001
Winter Simulation Conference, Society for Computer Simulaion, 2001.
[7] S. M. AbouRizk and D. Hajjar, "A framwork for applying simulation in
construction," Canadian journal of civil engineering, vol. 25, no. 3, pp.
604-617, 1998.
[8] M. M. Hassan and S. Gruber, "Application of discrete-event simulation
to study the paving operation of asphalt concrete," Construction
Innovation: Information, Process, Management, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 7-22,
2008.
[9] J. A. Vanegas, E. B. Bravo and D. W. Halpin, "Simulation technologies
for planning heavy construction processes," Journal of Construction
Engineering and Management, vol. 119, no. 2, pp. 336-354, 1993.
[10] A. Gannoruwa and J. Y. Ruwanpura, "Construction noise prediction and
barrier optimization using special purpose simulation," in Proceedings of
the 39th conference on Winter simulation, 2007.
[11] L. D. Graham, S. D. Smith and P. Dunlop, "Lognormal distribution
provides an optimum representation of the concrete delivery and
placement process," Journal of Construction Engineering and
Management, vol. 131(2), pp. 230-238, 2005.
[12] S. M. AbouRizk and D. W. Halpin, "Statistical properties of
construction data," Journal of Construction Engineering and
Management, vol. 118, no. 3, pp. 525-544, 1992.
[13] G. Kannan, "A methodology for the development of a production
experience database for earthmoving operations using automated data
collection," PhD dissertation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
University, 1999.
[14] S. D. Smith, G. S. Wood and M. Gould, "A new earthworks estimating
methodology," Construction Management and Economics, vol. 18, no. 2,
pp. 219-228, 2000.
[1] D. J. Edwards and G. D. Holt, "Construction plant and equipment
management research: thematic review," Journal of Engineering, Design
and Technology, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 186-206, 2009.
[2] A. Law and W. D. Kelton, Simulation modeling and analysis, McGraw-
Hill: New York, NY, 2000.
[3] D. W. Halpin, "An investigation of the use of simulation networks for
modeling construction operations," PhD dissertation, Department of
Civil Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana,
IL, 1973.
[4] J. F. Lluch and D. W. Halpin, "Construction operation and
microcomputers," Journal of the Construction Division, ASCE, vol. 108,
no. 1, pp. 129-145, 1982.
[5] J. C. Martinez, "Stroboscope," PhD dissertation, University of Michigan,
Ann Arbor, MI, 1996.
[6] J. C. Martinez, "EZSTROBE - introductory general-purpose simulation
system based on activity cycle diagrams," in Proceedings of the 2001
Winter Simulation Conference, Society for Computer Simulaion, 2001.
[7] S. M. AbouRizk and D. Hajjar, "A framwork for applying simulation in
construction," Canadian journal of civil engineering, vol. 25, no. 3, pp.
604-617, 1998.
[8] M. M. Hassan and S. Gruber, "Application of discrete-event simulation
to study the paving operation of asphalt concrete," Construction
Innovation: Information, Process, Management, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 7-22,
2008.
[9] J. A. Vanegas, E. B. Bravo and D. W. Halpin, "Simulation technologies
for planning heavy construction processes," Journal of Construction
Engineering and Management, vol. 119, no. 2, pp. 336-354, 1993.
[10] A. Gannoruwa and J. Y. Ruwanpura, "Construction noise prediction and
barrier optimization using special purpose simulation," in Proceedings of
the 39th conference on Winter simulation, 2007.
[11] L. D. Graham, S. D. Smith and P. Dunlop, "Lognormal distribution
provides an optimum representation of the concrete delivery and
placement process," Journal of Construction Engineering and
Management, vol. 131(2), pp. 230-238, 2005.
[12] S. M. AbouRizk and D. W. Halpin, "Statistical properties of
construction data," Journal of Construction Engineering and
Management, vol. 118, no. 3, pp. 525-544, 1992.
[13] G. Kannan, "A methodology for the development of a production
experience database for earthmoving operations using automated data
collection," PhD dissertation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
University, 1999.
[14] S. D. Smith, G. S. Wood and M. Gould, "A new earthworks estimating
methodology," Construction Management and Economics, vol. 18, no. 2,
pp. 219-228, 2000.
@article{"International Journal of Architectural, Civil and Construction Sciences:63158", author = "Jiali Fu", title = "A Microscopic Simulation Model for Earthmoving Operations", abstract = "Earthmoving operations are a major part of many
construction projects. Because of the complexity and fast-changing
environment of such operations, the planning and estimating are
crucial on both planning and operational levels. This paper presents
the framework ofa microscopic discrete-event simulation system for
modeling earthmoving operations and conducting productivity
estimations on an operational level.A prototype has been developed
to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed framework, and this
simulation system is presented via a case study based on an actual
earthmoving project. The case study shows that the proposed
simulation model is capable of evaluating alternative operating
strategies and resource utilization at a very detailed level.", keywords = "Earthmoving operation, microscopic simulation,
discrete-event simulation", volume = "6", number = "7", pages = "528-6", }