TECHNICAL PAPERS
Sep 15, 2011

Research in Modeling and Simulation for Improving Construction Engineering Operations

Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 137, Issue 10

Abstract

Construction simulation, a fast-growing field, is the science of developing and experimenting with computer-based representations of construction systems to understand their underlying behavior. This paper provides a history of construction simulation theory, explores the CYCLONE modeling methodology and its major subsequent developments, examines the development of the Simphony.NET and COSYE modeling environments and their functionality as more generic simulation platforms, and reviews effective strategies for applying simulation in construction. A construction simulation case study is presented that illustrates one successful approach for adopting simulation technology in the industry and outlines the benefits to industry of integrating these technologies. The paper provides an overview of long-term simulation initiatives leading to the next generation of computer modeling systems for construction, where simulation plays an integral role in a futuristic vision of automated project planning and control.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

References

AbouRizk, S. (2009). “Framework for highly integrated, interoperable construction simulation environments.” Proc., ICCEM-ICCPM 2009, Jeju, Korea.
AbouRizk, S. (2010). “The role of simulation in construction engineering and management.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 136(10), 1140–1153.
AbouRizk, S., and Dozzi, S. (1993). “Applications of computer simulation in resolving construction disputes.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 119(2), 355–373.
AbouRizk, S., and Hague, S. (2009). “An overview of the COSYE environment for construction simulation.” Proc., Winter Simulation Conf., IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, 2624–2634.
AbouRizk, S., and Hajjar, D. (1996). “Productivity improvement for construction.” Tech. Report to Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), PCL Construction, North American Construction, Lafarge Canada, Inland Construction, Alberco, and O. J. Pipelines.
AbouRizk, S. M., and Halpin, D. W. (1990). “Probabilistic simulation studies for repetitive construction processes.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 116(4), 575–594.
AbouRizk, S., and Mohamed, Y. (2002). “Optimal construction project planning.” Proc., Winter Simulation Conf., Vol. 2, IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, 1704–1708.
AbouRizk, S., Manavazhi, M., and Dozzi, P. (1997). “Analysis of productivity on a tunnel operation using computer simulation.” Proc., Construction Congr. V, ASCE, Reston, VA.
Agbulos, A., Mohamed, Y., Al-Hussein, M., AbouRizk, S., and Roesch, J. (2006). “Application of lean concepts and simulation analysis to improve efficiency of drainage operations.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 132(3), 291–299.
Al-Bataineh, M. (2009). “Scenario-based planning for tunnelling construction.” Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Appleton, B., Patra, J., AbouRizk, S., and Mohamed, Y. (2002). “Optimal construction project planning.” Proc., Winter Simulation Conf., Vol. 2, IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, 1704–1708.
Balbontin-Bravo, E. (1998). “Simulation of large precast operations.” Proc., Winter Simulation Conf., Vol. 2, IEEE, 1311–1317.
Bernold, L. E., and Halpin, D. W. (1984). “Microcomputer cost optimization of earth moving operation.” Proc., 4th Int. Symp. on Organization and Mgmt. of Constr., Vol. 11, Univ. of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
Dabbas, M. A. A., and Halpin, D. W. (1982). “Integrated project and process management.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 108(3), 361–374.
El-Ghandour, W. (2007). “Integrated information-based construction simulation system.” Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Er, K. C., Fernando, S., AbouRizk, S., and Ruwanpura, J. (2000). “Selecting the best tunnel construction for the first stage of the SESS tunnel using simulation.” 7th Annual Construction Res. Forum, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Ferrar, J. M. (2002). “Development of a lean approach in simulation using surface works operations of road construction.” M.Sc. thesis, Univ, of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Gaarslev, A. (1969). “Stochastic models to estimate the production material handling systems in the construction industry.” Tech. Rep. No. 111, The Construction Institute, Stanford Univ., Stanford, CA.
Hajjar, D., and AbouRizk, S. (1996). “Building a special purpose simulation tool for earth moving operation.” Proc., Winter Simulation Conf., IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, 1313–1320.
Hajjar, D., and AbouRizk, S. M. (1999). “Building a special purpose simulation tool for earth moving operations.” Proc., Winter Simulation Conf., IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, 1313–1320.
Hajjar, D., and AbouRizk, S. (2002). “Unified modeling methodology for construction simulation.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 128(2), 174–185.
Halpin, D. W. (1973). “An investigation of the use of simulation networks for modeling construction operations.” Ph.D. dissertation, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL.
Halpin, D. W. (1990). Micro-CYCLONE User’s Manual, Div. of Construction Engineering and Management, Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN.
Halpin, D. W., and Woodhead, R. (1976). Design of construction and process operations, Wiley, New York.
Halpin, D. W., Jen, H., and Kim, J. (2003). “A construction process simulation web service.” Proc., Winter Simulation Conf., Vol. 2, IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, 1503–1509.
Hermann, U., Hendi, A., Olearczyck, J., and Al-Hussein, M. (2010). “An integrated system to select, position, and simulate mobile cranes for complex industrial projects.” Proc., Construction Research Congress, ASCE, Reston, VA, 267–276.
Huang, R. Y., and Halpin, D. W. (1994). “Visual construction operations simulation: The DISCO approach.” Microcomput. Civ. Eng., 9(3), 175–184.
IEEE (2000). “Standard for modeling and simulation (M&S) High Level Architecture (HLA)—Federate Interface Specification 1516.” Piscataway, NJ.
Ioannou, P. G. (1989). UM-CYCLONE User’s Guide, Dept. of Civil Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
Kalk, A. (1980). “INSIGHT: Interactive simulation of construction operations using graphical techniques.” Tech. Rep. No. 238, Dept. of Civ. Eng., Stanford Univ., Stanford, CA.
Kamat, V. R., and Martinez, J. C. (2003). “Validating complex construction simulation models using 3D visualization.” Syst. Anal. Model. Simul., 43(4), 455–467.
Liu, L. Y. (1991). “COOPS: Construction object-oriented simulation system.” Ph.D. dissertation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
Lluch, J., and Halpin, D. W. (1982). “Construction operation and microcomputers.” J. Constr. Div., 108(1), 129–145.
Lutz, J. D., Halpin, D. W., and Wilson, J. R. (1994). “Simulation of learning development in repetitive construction.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 120(4), 753–773.
Martinez, J., and Ioannou, P. G. (1994). “General purpose simulation with Stroboscope.” Proc., Winter Simulation Conf., IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, 1159–1166.
Martinez, J. C., and Ioannou, P. G. (1996). “State-based probabilistic scheduling using Stroboscope’s CPM add-on.” Proc., Constr. Congr. V, ASCE, Reston, VA, 438–445.
Martinez, J. C., and Ioannou, P. G. (1999). “General-purpose systems for effective construction simulation.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 125(4), 265–276.
McCahill, D. F., and Bernold, L. E. (1993). “Resource-oriented modeling and simulation in construction.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 119(3), 590–606.
Mohamed, Y., Borrego, D., Francisco, L., Al-Hussein, M., and AbouRizk, S. (2007). “Simulation-based scheduling of module assembly yards: Case study.” Eng., Constr., Archit. Manage., 14(3), 293–311.
North American Pipeline, Inc. (NAPI), (2008). “Suncor firebag pipeline construction simulation.” DRAXware, Inc., Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Odeh, A. M., Tommelein, I. D., and Carr, R. I. (1992). “Knowledge-based simulation of construction plans.” Proc., 8th Conf. on Computing in Civil Engineering, ASCE, Reston, VA, 1042–1049.
Peña-Mora, F., Han, S., Lee, S., and Park, M. (2008). “Strategic-operational construction management: Hybrid system dynamics and discrete event approach.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 134(9), 701–710.
Shahin, A. (2007). “Simulation of cold weather construction.” Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Shi, J. (1999). “Activity-based construction (ABC) modeling and simulation method.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 125(5), 354–360.
Song, L. (2004). “Productivity modeling for steel fabrication projects.” Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Taghaddos, H., AbouRizk, S. M., Mohamed, Y., and Hermann, R. (2009). “Integrated simulation-based scheduling for module assembly yard.” Proc., Construction Res. Congr., ASCEReston, VA, 1270–1279.
Taghaddos, H., AbouRizk, S. M., Mohamed, Y., and Hermann, R. (2010). “Simulation-based multiple heavy lift planning in industrial construction.” Proc., Construction Res, Congr., ASCE, Reston, VA, 349–358.
Teicholz, P. (1963). “A simulation approach to the selection of construction equipment.” Tech. Rep. No. 26, Construction Institute, Stanford Univ., Stanford, CA.
Touran, A., and Asai, T. (1987). “Simulation of tunneling operations.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 113(4), 554–568.
Van Tol, A. A. (2005). “Agent embedded simulation modeling framework for construction engineering and management applications.” Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Wang, P. (2006). “Production-based large scale construction simulation modeling.” Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Xu, J., and AbouRizk, S. (1999). “CAD-based integrated simulation environment.” 3rd Canadian Construction Specialty Conf., Canadian Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE), Montreal, PQ, Canada, 95–102.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 137Issue 10October 2011
Pages: 843 - 852

History

Received: Jun 1, 2010
Accepted: Sep 8, 2010
Published online: Sep 15, 2011
Published in print: Oct 1, 2011

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

S. AbouRizk [email protected]
Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2W2 (corresponding author). E-mail: [email protected]
Professor Emeritus, School of Civil Engineering, Purdue Univ., 550 Stadium Mall Dr., West Lafayette, IN 47907. E-mail: [email protected]
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2W2. E-mail: [email protected]
Manager of Construction Engineering, PCL Industrial Management Inc., 5404 99 St., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6E 3P4. E-mail: [email protected]

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.

Cited by

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share