Modeling construction operations with RISim

Abstract

Construction simulation can be a very tedious task requiring expert knowledge of simulation modeling. Furthermore, construction projects are relatively short lived. As a result, the use of simulation to analyze and improve construction work processes has not become a routine exercise, although it is commonly used in some other engineering fields. RISim (Resource-Interacted Simulation) adopts a resource-oriented methodology to promote an intuitive feel to simulation modeling. An operation is modeled in two abstraction levels, namely, resource and process, and it is viewed as a collection of resources and their interactions. Complex resources and simple resources are used to respectively represent resources with or without their own processes. The key features ensuing from this approach are attempts to simplify the simulation modeling process. The result is that the complex resources can have a general characterization with the potential for a "plug-in and simulate" capability. A pipe-laying example employing several resources is presented. The interaction of these resources in the operation should demonstrate the methodology and potential of this approach.