MACHINERY SELECTION FOR DEMOLITION AND RECYCLING OF PAVEMENTS: A SIMULATION-BASED TOOL

Abstract

Proper selection of the type and number of machinery on construction is critical to the total cost and duration of projects. This especially applies to projects involving using of heavy machinery such as earthmoving projects. Cur- rently, many construction managers – especially in Pakistan, rely on their intuition and judgement based on past experience to select their construction machinery fleet configuration. This approach is obviously subjective and prone to inefficient utilization of resources. Computer-based tools, such as simulation models, have the potential to greatly benefit the construction mangers in their routine tasks. This paper presents a unique simulation tool based on the system dynamics methodology to help the construction manager in investigating the cost and duration implications of various combinations of machinery items. Utility of the developed model is illustrated with the help of a case study involving demolition and recycling of a flexible pavement.