Simulation of Concrete Batch Plant Production
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 127, Issue 2
Abstract
The decision-making process is a very essential part of any construction operation. Simulation can be used as a tool to assist construction managers in making informed decisions. In this paper, simulation is applied to concrete batching operations to analyze alternative solutions and resource management. Data are collected to define activity durations for the plant. A simulation model is constructed for the plant using the MicroCYCLONE simulation system. Based on sensitivity analysis, management tools are constructed to help the decision maker. These tools are a time-cost-quantity chart, a feasible region analysis, and a contour lines chart. Time-cost-quantity and contour lines charts are used for determining production time, production cost, and resources for a required distance from the plant. The feasible region chart is used for determining the range of alternative solutions that can be taken to minimize production time and cost of the available plant resources, according to the required transportation distance.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 127 • Issue 2 • April 2001
Pages: 132 - 141
History
Received: May 11, 1999
Published online: Apr 1, 2001
Published in print: Apr 2001
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