TECHNICAL PAPERS
Jul 1, 2000

Probability Distribution Functions for Construction Simulation

Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 126, Issue 4

Abstract

The need for reliable simulation systems has been discussed and recognized by many researchers. At the same time researchers have recognized that the quality of a simulation model's results are strictly related to the quality of the input probability distribution functions. The data used in this research were acquired from the Atkinson-Washington-Zachry joint venture on the Eastside Reservoir Project in California. The data were analyzed using BestFit software to obtain the parameters of the theoretical distribution functions that best described the field data set. The research validated previous warnings about the influence of the class interval decision on the selection of a distribution function when the chi-square fitting test is utilized. A second issue of importance that was encountered was the reliability of goodness-of-fit tests when dealing with large data sets.

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Information & Authors

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Published In

Go to Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 126Issue 4July 2000
Pages: 285 - 292

History

Received: Dec 29, 1998
Published online: Jul 1, 2000
Published in print: Jul 2000

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Authors

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Fellow, ASCE
Member, ASCE
Fulbright Grad. Student, Del E. Webb School of Constr., Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ 85287.
Eminent Scholar, Del E. Webb School of Constr., Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ.
Asst. Prof., Del E. Webb School of Constr., Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ.
Assoc. Prof., Del E. Webb School of Constr., Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ.

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