Activity-Based Construction (ABC) Modeling and Simulation Method
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 125, Issue 5
Abstract
This research presents the activity-based construction (ABC) modeling and simulation method. ABC modeling (ABC-Mod) uses one single element (e.g., activity) for modeling general construction processes instead of multiple elements as required by current simulation systems. ABC simulation (ABC-Sim) executes the ABC model by manipulating activities in three stages: (1) Select activity; (2) advance simulation; and (3) release simulation entities. ABC-Mod and ABC-Sim constitute a unique simulation method, generally addressed as ABC. In summary, ABC is a general-purpose modeling and simulation method with an emphasis on construction application. Compared with existing simulation systems, it has all of the major features required for modeling and simulating the dynamic and random behaviors of a construction process. It requires no more knowledge to use than the critical path method does. Therefore, ABC is a simulation method for construction engineers and it has a potentially wide range of application in the industry.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
AbouRizk, S. M., and Shi, J. (1994). “Automated construction simulation optimization.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 120(2), 374–385.
2.
Au, G., and Paul, R. J. (1994). “Graphical simulation model specification based on activity cycle diagrams.” Comp. Industry Engrg., 26(2), 295–306.
3.
Chang, D. ( 1987). “RESQUE,” PhD thesis, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
4.
Halpin, D. W. (1977). “CYCLONE—A method for modeling job site processes.”J. Constr. Div., ASCE, 103(3), 489–499.
5.
Halpin, D. W. ( 1990). MicroCYCLONE user's manual. Div. of Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.
6.
Halpin, D. W., and Riggs, L. S. (1992). Planning and analysis of construction operations. Wiley, New York.
7.
Hijazi, A. M., AbouRizk, S. M., and Halpin, D. W. (1992). “Modeling and simulating learning development in construction.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 118(4), 685–700.
8.
Huang, R., Grigoriadis, A. M., and Halpin, D. W. (1994). “Simulation of cable-stayed bridges using DISCO.” Proc., 1994 Winter Simulation Conf., IEEE, Piscataway, N.J., 1130–1136.
9.
Ibbs, C. W. (1986). “Future direction for computerized construction research.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 112(3), 326–345.
10.
Ioannou, P. G. ( 1989). “UM _CYCLONE user's guide.” Dept. of Civ. Engrg., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
11.
Liu, L. Y., and Ioannou, P. G. (1992). “Graphical object-oriented discrete-event simulation system.” Proc., 1992 Winter Simulation Conf., IEEE, Piscataway, N.J., 1285–1291.
12.
Martinez, J., and Ioannou, P. G. (1994). “General purpose simulation with stroboscope.” Proc., 1994 Winter Simulation Conf., IEEE, Piscataway, N.J., 1159–1166.
13.
McCahill, D. F., and Bernold, L. E. (1993). “Resource-oriented modeling and simulation in construction.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 119(3), 590–606.
14.
Paul, R. J. (1993). “Activity cycle diagrams and the three phase method.” Proc., 1993 Winter Simulation Conf., 123–131.
15.
Paul, R. J., and Chew, S. T. (1987). “Simulation modeling using an interactive simulation program generator.” J. Operational Res. Soc., 38(8), 735–752.
16.
Paulson, B. C., Jr. (1978). “Interactive graphics for simulating construction operations.”J. Constr. Div., ASCE, 104(1), 69–76.
17.
Paulson, B. C., Jr. Chan, W. T., and Koo, C. C. (1987). “Construction operations simulation by microcomputer.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 113(2), 302–314.
18.
Pidd, M. (1992). Computer simulation in management sciences, 3rd Ed., Wiley, New York.
19.
Pritsker, A. A. B., O'Reilly, J. J., and LaVal, D. K. (1997). Simulation with visual SLAM and AweSim. Wiley, New York.
20.
Sawhney, A., and AbouRizk, S. M. (1995). “Simulation based planning method for construction project.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 121(3), 297–303.
21.
Shi, J. ( 1995). “Automated modeling and optimization for construction simulation,” PhD thesis, Dept. of Civ. Engrg., University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
22.
Shi, J., and AbouRizk, S. M. (1995). “An optimization method for simulating large complex systems.” Engrg. Optimization, 25(3), 213–229.
23.
Shi, J., and AbouRizk, S. M. (1997). “Resource-based modeling for construction simulation.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 123(1), 26–33.
24.
Shi, J., and AbouRizk, S. M. (1998a). “An automated modeling system for simulating earth-moving operations.” J. Comp.-Aided Civ. and Infrastructure Engrg., 13, 121–130.
25.
Shi, J., and AbouRizk, S. M. (1998b). “Continuous and combined event-process models for simulating pipeline construction.” Constr. Mgmt. and Economics, 16(4), 489–498.
26.
Smith, S. D., Obsorne, J. R., and Forde, M. C. (1995). “Analysis of earth-moving systems using discrete-event simulation.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 121(4), 388–396.
27.
Tocher, K. D. (1963). The art of simulation. English Universities Press, London.
28.
Tommelein, I. D., and Odeh, A. M. (1994). “Knowledge-based assembly of simulation networks using construction designs, plans, and methods.” Proc., 1994 Winter Simulation Conf., IEEE, Piscataway, N.J., 1145–1158.
29.
Touran, A. (1987). “Simulation of tunnel operation.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 113(4), 554–568.
30.
Vanegas, J. A., Bravo, E. B., and Halpin, D. W. (1993). “Simulation technologies for planning heavy construction processes.”J. Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt., ASCE, 119(2), 336–354.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
History
Received: Nov 10, 1998
Published online: Sep 1, 1999
Published in print: Sep 1999
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.