Simplified Scheduling of a Building Construction Process using Discrete Event Simulation

Abstract

Planning and Scheduling tools used by construction professionals nowadays not always consider the effect of variability in the construction process; they do not consider explicitly the effect of changes in activity durations along the production chain. Discrete event simulation approach is a relevant exception that deserves particular attention from the construction industry. The present research proposes a discrete event simulation model applied to a simplified construction process schedule. This model considered main construction activities divided in: foundations, structure and roofing. The model can be extended and easily applied to other construction activities. Input parameters for the model were obtained directly from on-site field experience and a beta unimodal distribution assigned. On a first stage, PERT scheduling methodology was used for the model, which was later compared with discrete event simulation. Results did not provide evidence of significant statistical differences between different probability distribution used with respect to the mean project duration obtained using PERT scheduling as compared to the discrete event simulation model. This provides conclusions about total project duration and validation of the probability distribution types considered in the present research.

Accounting for Variability: Identifying Critical Activities as a Supplement to the Critical Path

“…It was concluded that the simulation results can be projected to evaluate the potential of completing the project in a timely manner as per the given schedule. Forcael et al (2018) presented a DES model to schedule activities on a construction project and compared the obtained durations to the ones generated by PERT. The results show that the model could be adopted as a valid management tool to address the effect of variability in construction processes.…”

“…The existing scheduling techniques have failed to efficiently tackle the inconstant nature of processes in the construction industry, particularly the uncertainties pertinent to the duration needed to accomplish a task. This kind of random variation, referred to as natural variability that stems from inconstancies between machines, materials and operators, labor availability, rework, random detentions, etc., has been little incorporated in traditional construction scheduling processes (Forcael et al, 2018). The established practice has seen assigning activity durations using a deterministic approach, which is far from the reality of construction (Forcael et al, 2018).…”

“…This kind of random variation, referred to as natural variability that stems from inconstancies between machines, materials and operators, labor availability, rework, random detentions, etc., has been little incorporated in traditional construction scheduling processes (Forcael et al, 2018). The established practice has seen assigning activity durations using a deterministic approach, which is far from the reality of construction (Forcael et al, 2018). For instance, previous research applied PERT as a deterministic method by sampling a fixed mean for durations without generating a probability distribution that is sampled stochastically.…”

Ontological Models for Simulation of Building Construction Processes

“…Other examples on simulation of construction processes are: a modeling methodology to study the productivity of construction operations [24]; application of discrete event simulation to the analysis of labor productivity by comparing different systems [25]; a computerized simulation model used to compare prefabricated slab construction methods, optimizing times and costs [26]; the use of discrete event simulation as a tool for planning, analysis and reengineering of construction projects [27]; and discrete event simulation used to simplify scheduling of building construction processes [28].…”

Forming of the Optimal Parameters Complex for the Production Process by Means of Flexsim

“…The FlexSim program is also used in the pert network planning method used when creating a simplified model of a construction [4]. The graphs and simulations developed are an effective construction management tool.…”