Abstract
Earthmoving operations in urban bridge reconstruction projects are analyzed to identify significant factors that impact relatively low productivity. The research project was conducted in the urban interchange reconstruction of Interstate Highway 235 (I-235) in Des Moines, Iowa. By using observational studies and a statistical analysis method, the factors were identified, including match factor, number of passes, and loading cycle time per bucket. Number of truck, match factor, travel time, and hauling distance were identified as the unique factors for the off-site earthmoving project, while the start time and travel time were significant factors for the on-site project. This research also identified significant factors for the truck bunching and showed that the match factor from the urban earthmoving project does not linearly correlate with the productivity of each truck. Reducing the hauling distance for urban earthmoving projects was the principal method for improving productivity.
Highlights
Earthmoving productivity has long been a major research subject in the area of construction engineering and management for the following reasons: (1) Earthmoving is included in most construction projects, such as highways, buildings, dams, harbors, airports, sewage and drainage systems, and industrial plants; (2) Earthmoving requires intensive equipment operations; (3) Estimating the earthmoving productivity determines the efficiency of operation and identifies the significant factors that impact productivity
Identifying significant factors involved in productivity and site observations coupled with time studies provided useful information on the causes of low productivity in urban interchange reconstruction projects
Match factor, loading cycle time per bucket, and number of passes were identified as significant factors for urban earthmoving
Summary
Earthmoving productivity has long been a major research subject in the area of construction engineering and management for the following reasons: (1) Earthmoving is included in most construction projects, such as highways, buildings, dams, harbors, airports, sewage and drainage systems, and industrial plants; (2) Earthmoving requires intensive equipment operations; (3) Estimating the earthmoving productivity determines the efficiency of operation and identifies the significant factors that impact productivity. The purpose of the reconstruction of I-235 was to widen and replace about 80 overpass bridges, install noise barriers and retaining walls, and reconstruct about 20 interchanges, main line pavements, and utility works. This project began in 2002 and was completed in 2007. The total cost of the project was expected to be $429 million [11]. The earthmoving involved in this project constituted 20 percent of the total project cost
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