Simulation Approach to Evaluating Cost Efficiency of Selective Demolition Practices: Case of Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport Demolition
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 135, Issue 6
Abstract
This research resorted to the use of construction operations simulation modeling to investigate the cost efficiency of waste-handling practices on the Kai Tak Airport demolition project in Hong Kong. By modeling the site operation of sieving and stockpiling broken concrete, the well-established construction simulation methodology of CYCLONE was contrasted with the newly developed simplified discrete event simulation approach (SDESA). Further, the SDESA model was readily extended to include (1) raw demolition waste collecting and sorting; (2) broken concrete sieving and stockpiling; (3) steel bar recycling; and (4) debris disposal at the landfill. The production rate derived from simulation was indicative of a close match between the simulation model and the actual site system. The resulting simulation model provided a basis for evaluating the cost efficiency of actual site operations and alternative resource provision scenarios being postulated. Through computer simulation, the actual site operation was found smooth and efficient with utilization rates for resources of different types ranging from 79 to 99%. In addition, the cost–time reduction ratios were calculated for four alternatives of resource provisions in comparison with the original base case. The research findings suggested that provided the project budget had satisfied the higher cash flow requirement, doubling the resource provision on site would potentially cut the project duration by half and not increase the total direct cost.
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Acknowledgments
The writers are grateful to Mr. James Yip W. C. of the Civil Engineering and Development Department, Hong Kong SAR Government for providing information about Kai Tak Airport demolition. The writers also deeply appreciate the assistance of Mr. G. W. Tsai, Site Resident Engineer, and Mr. C. F. Chui, Assistant Resident Engineer of Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited in facilitating site visits and sharing valuable information. The work described in this paper was substantially funded by the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (Project No. PolyU 5037/06E).
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 135 • Issue 6 • June 2009
Pages: 448 - 457
Copyright
© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: May 30, 2007
Accepted: Jan 15, 2009
Published online: May 15, 2009
Published in print: Jun 2009
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