Construction simulation is the science of developing and experimenting with computer-based representations of construction systems to understand their underlying behavior. This branch of operations research applications in construction management has experienced significant academic growth over the past two decades. In this paper, the author summarizes his views on this topic as per his Peurifoy address, given in October 2008. The paper provides an overview of advancements in construction simulation theory as reported in literature. It then summarizes the key factors that contribute to successful deployment of simulation in the construction industry, and the key attributes of problems that make them more amenable for simulation modeling as opposed to other tools. The paper then provides an overview of long-term simulation initiatives leading to the next generation of computer modeling systems for construction, where simulation plays an integral role in a futuristic vision of automated project planning and...

The importance of integrating construction knowledge into the design process has long been recognized by the construction industry. This paper studies early contractor involvement in design and its impact on construction schedule performance through a combined empirical case study and theoretical simulation analysis. Pipe and steel fabricators’ inputs at different design stages of industrial construction projects are identified. The case study shows that these inputs lead to improved drawing quality, material supply, information flow, and consequently improved construction schedule performance. This impact on construction schedule is illustrated using actual project data and simulation techniques. Simulation models were developed to demonstrate intuitively the impact at the construction operation level and they allow people to gain management insights through simulation experiments. Better understanding of the early contractor involvement process and its benefit can improve buy-in and help industry practitioners to reach the full potential of this concept.

Construction simulation, a fast-growing field, is the science of developing and experimenting with computer-based representations of construction systems to understand their underlying behavior. This paper provides a history of construction simulation theory, explores the CYCLONE modeling methodology and its major subsequent developments, examines the development of the Simphony.NET and COSYE modeling environments and their functionality as more generic simulation platforms, and reviews effective strategies for applying simulation in construction. A construction simulation case study is presented that illustrates one successful approach for adopting simulation technology in the industry and outlines the benefits to industry of integrating these technologies. The paper provides an overview of long-term simulation initiatives leading to the next generation of computer modeling systems for construction, where simulation plays an integral role in a futuristic vision of automated project planning and control.

This paper discusses a new approach that will facilitate the use of simulation in the construction industry. Previous attempts in this regard have been hampered by the gap between the user and the simulation software, the power and flexibility of available tools, and the readiness of industry. A comprehensive new approach (referred to as the Unified Modeling Methodology), which addresses the complete needs of the construction simulationist, is detailed. It is based on several state-of-the-art concepts in addition to newly developed ones. This methodology also describes how all of these concepts can be combined together using object oriented principles. The methodology was used in the development of a complete simulation tool development and utilization environment called Simphony. Several case studies were performed to illustrate the advantages of the new approach.

Construction operations are subject to a wide variety of fluctuations and interruptions. Varying weather conditions, learning development on repetitive operations, equipment breakdowns, management interference, and other external factors may impact the production process in construction. As a result of such interferences, the behavior of construction processes becomes subject to random variations. This necessitates modeling construction operations as random processes during simulation. Random processes in simulation include activity and processing times, arrival processes (e.g. weather patterns) and disruptions. In the context of construction simulation studies, modeling a random input process is usually performed by selecting and fitting a sufficiently flexible probability distribution to that process based on sample data. To fit a generalized beta distribution in this context, a computer program founded upon several fast, robust numerical procedures based on a number of statistical‐estimation methods is presented. In particular, the following methods were derived and implemented: moment matching, maximum likelihood, and least‐square minimization. It was found that the least‐square minimization method provided better quality fits in general, compared to the other two approaches. The adopted fitting procedures have been implemented in BetaFit, an interactive, microcomputer‐based software package, which is in the public domain. The operation of BetaFit is discussed, and some applications of this package to the simulation of construction projects are presented.