Simulation Of Construction Operations Research Articles

Framework for BIM-Based Simulation of Construction Operations Implemented in a Game Engine

Construction simulation has been widely used in academia for research purposes. However, it has been neglected by the industry for various reasons, including the amount of data, skills, effort, and time required to develop complex simulation models, the difficulty of model reuse, and the abstract and confusing way in which simulation results are usually presented. This article demonstrates how BIM can be employed to facilitate the development of a construction simulation model that considers constraints related to resource allocation and task interdependencies. Furthermore, it shows how a game engine can be used as a platform to implement the proposed framework for the integration of BIM and construction simulation and to produce animations from simulation results. The feasibility of the framework is demonstrated through a case study on masonry construction. Results of implementing the framework reveal that BIM-based simulations can reduce the skills, effort, and time required to develop simulation models and enable model reuse. The integration of simulation-based animations provides a model verification and validation mechanism and a means to communicate model results to stakeholders unfamiliar with simulation.

Building Construction Operation Simulation Based on BIM Technology and Intelligent Robots

In order to improve the effect of artificial intelligence technology in construction operations, this paper conducts in-depth research on the trajectory planning algorithm and servo system controller of artificial construction machinery structure, analyzes the operation system of intelligent construction structure, and establishes an error model based on the D-H rule, which provides a research basis for calibration and trajectory planning. Moreover, this paper constructs a construction operation simulation system based on BIM technology and artificial intelligence, which mainly analyzes the simulation technology of construction operation intelligent mechanism movement and construction operation. In addition, this paper combines BIM technology and artificial intelligence technology according to the actual needs of construction operations, simulate robot operations in BIM. Finally, this paper proves the effectiveness of the intelligent system proposed in this paper through experimental research.

BIM-Integrated Simulation of Construction Operations for Lean Production Management

As construction projects become larger and more complex, traditional construction planning and control practice which relies on historical data and heuristic adjustment can no longer produce a plan that incorporates all the managerial details such as productivity dynamics. In addition, the plan, more often than not, does not synchronize with the procurement schedule; as a result, the whole supply chain has failed to accomplish expected level of efficiency. In these regards, this paper presents a simulation framework that can not only predict productivity dynamics by considering factors affecting on productivity at the operational level, but also automatically generate a procurement plan harmonizing with the simulation results for reliable production management. We developed APIs for the framework 1) enabling a BIM model to produce input data for the construction operation simulation; 2) composing construction simulation in operational level; 3) facilitating the productivity prediction by providing BIMintegrated construction simulation models. The simulation framework had tested with structural steel erection cases. The results show that we can expect significant improvement of efficiency along supply chain including optimized resource allocation, schedule reliability increase, storage cost saving, and material loss reduction.

Construction knowledge discovery system using fuzzy approach

Most research works in simulating construction operations have predominantly focused on modeling and mistreated data preparation that is paramount for simulation. To prepare data for simulation process, a knowledge discovery system (KDS) is indispensable in extracting hidden knowledge from construction data sets. This knowledge is typically hard to obtain using traditional means, such as statistical analysis. The presented research develops, using fuzzy approach, a KDS to prepare, utilize, analyze, and extract the hidden patterns from construction data to predict work task durations. The KDS depends mainly on finding the relation between quantitative and qualitative variables, which affect the duration of construction operations and work tasks as well as prepare data for simulation modeling. It consists of two stages: data processing and mining. Data processing consists of cleaning, integrating, transforming, and selecting the appropriate knowledge. Data mining consists of selecting the factors that affect a construction operation, generating their fuzzy sets, defining fuzzy rule and models, developing a fuzzy knowledge base, and testing the effectiveness of this knowledge base in predicting work task durations. The developed KDS has been tested using a construction case study in which the results found satisfactory with an average validity percent of 92%. The developed system assists researchers and practitioners in utilizing historical construction data to extract knowledge that could not be obtained by traditional techniques and precisely predicting work task durations.

Simulation Approach to Evaluating Cost Efficiency of Selective Demolition Practices: Case of Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport Demolition

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 f...

Algorithm for Accurate Three‐Dimensional Scene Graph Updates in High‐Speed Animations of Previously Simulated Construction Operations

Abstract: Visualization of construction operations is an important technique to communicate the logic of simulation models in detail. Early efforts resulted in a scene graph and frame update algorithm that was capable of converting discrete information from simulation models into smooth and continuous 3D animations. That algorithm did not account for high speed or concurrent animation because the need to do so was not anticipated. Recent advances in computing power and an interest in using the technology for next generation applications now demand accurate high speed and concurrent animations. This article presents the design of the original algorithm at a previously undocumented level of detail and specificity, and that allows for the analysis of its shortcomings when used at high speeds or concurrently with simulation. Two subsequent but still inadequate designs of the algorithm are also presented and analyzed in detail so that they can serve as an illustration of the path toward the final design and place it in proper context. The article concludes with the final design and evaluation of the algorithm, which is accurate at very high animation speeds and supports concurrent animation of simulation models.

An object-oriented approach for modelling and simulation of construction operations

This paper describes the application of an object-oriented (OO) modelling concept and OO programming mechanisms to develop an activity object-oriented (AOO) simulation strategy for modelling construction operations. The AOO simulation strategy considers construction activities to be objects, thus overcoming some pitfalls due to the general simulation strategies in developing simulation models or controlling simulation experiments. This paper also discusses the characteristics and related problems of some simulation strategies used for construction simulation. Moreover, the AOO graphical modelling interface associated with the AOO simulation strategy is described. Finally, the AOO simulation system has been compared with other simulation tools.

Integrating discrete event and lighting simulation for analyzing construction work zones lighting plans

Nighttime construction is being widely adopted in the United States as a way to mitigate the impact of construction operations on the traveling public. Although a number of states have developed standard specifications for nighttime lighting, these standards are usually in the form of generic requirement statements that only specify minimum illuminance levels. The lighting standards do not include specific ways to achieve this illuminance level, such as lighting arrangements and configurations for various work zone plans and construction operations. This leaves confusion between the traffic engineers and the contractors and does not guarantee consistency in those plans, thus affecting productivity and safety. Therefore there is a need to develop a tool that can help contractors and engineers to design and implement lighting plans for nighttime construction. The main objective of this paper is to present a new lighting design framework that utilizes three dimensional lighting analysis and construction operation simulation to study and model lighting conditions of a construction site. A prototype software tool called NiteLite that implements the proposed framework was developed and is presented here. Various lighting plans can be studied using the software to provide for typical applications including lighting fixture's locations, fixture photometric web, mounting height, angle, and fixture type. The results from the developed software tool were validated through comparisons with previous research conducted using field measurements. It has been shown that NiteLite can provide accurate lighting analysis, as well as having the ability to model a wider range of conditions and work zone configurations and considering new lighting criteria such as Glare Rating. Furthermore, NiteLite allows users to study the dynamic nature of lighting in construction sites by allowing the animation of expected equipment and traffic patterns and thus studying the impact of lighting conditions on glare in the construction site.

Software mechanisms for extensible and scalable 3D visualization of construction operations

This paper presents research that led to the design and implementation of an extensible and scalable software framework for the dynamic 3D visualization of simulated construction operations. In the domain of operations design and analysis, the ability to see a 3D animation of processes that have been simulated allows for two very important things: verification and validation. In addition, a model can be communicated effectively which, coupled with verification and validation, makes it “credible” and thus used in making decisions. In the presented research, a set of core animation statements of the most general use from the extension viewpoint is first identified. Second, methods to design an add-on interface to the identified core animation methods are investigated by capitalizing on documented principles of application framework design. Finally, the designed add-on interface and its scalability are validated by implementing the extensible framework on multiple computing platforms and then extending the language with several non-trivial extensions using the designed add-on interface. The research concluded that geometric transformation-based animation statements are: (1) collectively sufficient to visually describe a broad class of common construction processes, and (2) are at a level of abstraction that they can be logically concatenated to describe higher-level motion dynamics involved in performing construction. In addition, it was found that an open, loosely-coupled visualization scheme and direct interface methods to append the animation statement interpreter’s vocabulary with new add-on designed statements: (1) allows language extensions without modification to or understanding of the underlying methods, and (2) presents users with a consistent interface to visually describe construction processes, thereby providing complexity concealment and a uniform end-user interface. The presented framework is implemented as an extension (add-on) interface to the VITASCOPE visualization system.

Interactive collision detection in three-dimensional visualizations of simulated construction operations

This paper presents research that led to the design and implementation of fast and interactive collision detection methods that can be used to identify and report undesirable conflicts that occur among static (e.g., structure in-place, idle equipment), dynamic (e.g., active machines and workers), and abstract (e.g., hazard spaces) construction resources in 3D animations of construction operations modeled using discrete-event simulation. Computational efficiency and interactive speed in the designed interference detection methods were the primary challenges that the research addressed. In addition, the efficiency and speed were achieved with minimal trade-off against accuracy. In order to achieve this, the authors capitalized on advanced documented algorithms for proximity queries between arbitrarily moving 3D geometric objects to design mechanisms for interference detection, control, and response in construction process visualizations. The designed methods are implemented in a software tool called C-Collide that integrates as an add-on with the VITASCOPE visualization system.

AOA-based modelling and simulation of construction operations

AOA-based modelling and simulation of construction operations

Dynamic 3D Visualization of Articulated Construction Equipment

Dynamic three-dimensional (3D) animation can be of significant value in improving the verification validation, and communication of discrete-event simulation (DES) models of construction operations, which in turn can make the models more credible and thus useful in operations planning and decision making. This paper presents research that led to the design and implementation of practical 3D animation methods to visualize multiply-articulated construction equipment in 3D animations of simulated construction operations. Using principles of forward and inverse kinematics, the writers designed and implemented generic virtual pieces of articulated construction equipment that accept task-level instructions from external software processes. DES models can configure and instantiate specific pieces of such equipment and instruct them to perform construction tasks using simple parametric text statements that embody a construction work-like terminology. Once instructed to perform specific tasks (e.g., load soil), th...

An effective simulation mechanism for construction operations

Construction project planners have used computer simulation to predict the performance of the construction operation in terms of process flows and resource selection for decades. Traditionally, however, to find the best resource utilization of the construction operation, all possible resource combinations should be tested within the simulation process. That is, an exhaustive enumeration of resource combinations should be conducted, which is not economic if the possible resource combinations increase explosively. Therefore, simulation is not considered as an optimization technique. Genetic Algorithms (GA), developed by John Holland in 1975, has been widely applied to different disciplines of research for solving the optimization problems. GA is also known for its flexibility in hybridizing with other methodologies to obtain better solutions of the simulation systems. This paper presents a new mechanism that integrates simulation with GA to find the best resource combination for the construction operation. Results show that the new simulation mechanism can effectively locate the optimal resource combination for the construction operation and enhance the optimization capability of the construction simulation. In addition, a user-friendly computer simulation system—Genetic Algorithms with Construction Operation Simulation Tool (GACOST) was developed to provide the construction planner an efficient means of analyzing and optimizing the construction operation.

Scene Graph and Frame Update Algorithms for Smooth and Scalable 3D Visualization of Simulated Construction Operations

One of the prime reasons inhibiting the widespread use of discrete‐event simulation in construction planning is the absence of appropriate visual communication tools. Visualizing modeled operations in 3D is arguably the best form of communicating the logic and the inner working of simulation models and can be of immense help in establishing the credibility of analyses. New software development technologies emerge at incredible rates that allow engineers and scientists to create novel, domain‐specific applications. The authors capitalized on a computer graphics technology based on the concept of the scene graph to design and implement a general‐purpose 3D visualization system that is simulation and CAD‐software independent. This system, the Dynamic Construction Visualizer, enables realistic visualization of modeled construction operations and the resulting products and can be used in conjunction with a wide variety of simulation tools. This paper describes the scene graph architecture and the frame updating algorithms used in designing the Dynamic Construction Visualizer.

Visualizing Simulated Construction Operations in 3D

Simulation modeling and visualization can substantially help in designing complex construction operations and in making optimal decisions where traditional methods prove ineffective or are unfeasib...

Performance measurement indices for simulated construction operations

This paper describes the development of indices useful in automating the experimentation process of a computer simulation. Simulation methodologies have been developed to model construction systems, but most of these systems require the experimentation process to be carried out manually. In achieving optimum performance, one has to repeat an exhaustive number of experiments. The indices can be used to automate this process, as they are indicators of bottlenecks in the system that can be tracked through the simulation output. They are based upon user-defined performance guidelines for the resources. Where a performance index falls outside the acceptable range, remedial action may be taken. Belief networks, a probabilistic form of artificial intelligence, were used to automate the analysis of the indices to determine the most likely causal factor of poor performance.Key words: construction engineering, computer simulation, performance indices, belief networks, performance improvement.

Performance measurement indices for simulated construction operations

This paper describes the development of indices useful in automating the experimentation process of a computer simulation. Simulation methodologies have been developed to model construction systems, but most of these systems require the experimentation process to be carried out manually. In achieving optimum performance, one has to repeat an exhaustive number of experiments. The indices can be used to automate this process, as they are indicators of bottlenecks in the system that can be tracked through the simulation output. They are based upon user-defined performance guidelines for the resources. Where a performance index falls outside the acceptable range, remedial action may be taken. Belief networks, a probabilistic form of artificial intelligence, were used to automate the analysis of the indices to determine the most likely causal factor of poor performance.Key words: construction engineering, computer simulation, performance indices, belief networks, performance improvement.

Petri Nets for Simulation and Modeling of Construction Systems

Simulation and modeling of construction systems have been actively researched over the past 20 years. This paper demonstrates how Petri nets, a powerful modeling tool previously used for modeling computer networks and automated manufacturing systems, can be used effectively for modeling construction systems. This paper describes the Petri net approach to modeling and shows how models of construction systems can be developed. Several common Petri net structures and features useful in construction system modeling are described. Time and color Petri nets and their application in modeling specific characteristics of construction systems are discussed. Two illustrative examples are presented and the advantages and disadvantages of Petri nets as tools for the modeling and simulation of construction operations are detailed.

Graphical-Based Method for Transient Evaluation of Construction Operations

Construction operations involve complex resource interactions and are typically performed in the field with exogenous factors such as inclement weather conditions and equipment breakdowns. The complexity of resource interactions combined with external factors creates a transient environment for construction operations. This research uses computer simulation techniques and a graphical method, DISCO (Dynamic Interface for Simulation of Construction Operations), for the evaluation of the transient effects of construction operations. DISCO uses the CYCLONE schematic model diagram of a process as the modeling framework and allows breaks or interruptions in the simulation run and stopping of the simulation time clock to investigate the transient states of resources and tasks in a process. The scope of the study focuses mainly on the transient effects caused by the process mobilization of construction operations every day. Two construction operations are used as case studies for the investigation. Results of the study and observations are discussed.

Visual Construction Operation Simulation: The DISCO Approach

Abstract: Despite the great deal of attention given to project‐level management tools (e.g., CPM, PERT, etc.) in recent years, the analysis of construction operations (processes) using computer simulation techniques has generated considerable attention commencing with the introduction of the CYCLONE methodology. Recently, the application of visual simulation (VS) techniques to assist in the planning and analysis of construction operations has directed further attention at the need to better understand the interaction of resources at the process level. Visual simulation takes advantage of advanced modern computer graphics techniques and facilitates the development and application of simulation experiments. Benefits of applying VS have been reported in several publications. Nevertheless, the effort required to design and construct an “appropriate” VS display for the system to be analyzed is usually time and data demanding. The magnitude of model definition is often increased due to certain characteristics of construction operations, such as their complexity and the distribution of work over large areas. An alternative approach, DISCO (Dynamic Interface Simulation for Construction Operations), which employs a schematic modeling format demonstrating the system dynamics on the computer screen during simulation run, is presented in this paper.