Input for Hybrid Simulation Modelling Construction Operations

Abstract

Good pre-construction planning efforts are a vital part of the effective management and delivery of construction projects. In order to prepare more accurate schedules and cost calculations, realistic productivity rates to improve precision are needed. The use of simulation for modelling the elements of construction processes can assist with this aspiration. The application of hybrid simulation approaches is particularly appropriate as they can capture complicated behaviour, uncertainties, and dependencies. This paper discusses the use of one such approach combining discrete-event simulation (DES) and system dynamics (SD) to determine more accurate productivity rates. The DES component models the operations with the workflow of the tasks performed. Its input consists of the task elements with their durations and resource information. The factors that influence the productivity rates are taken into account with the help of the SD component. Input for this part of the model includes the factors as well as considerations of their interrelationships and effects. In this work, a case study of such input data for masonry works – for brick- and blockwork – is presented. It shows the input data and its integration in the DES-SD approach for modellers to determine more realistic productivity rates.