LOGISTICS AND OPERATIONS SIMULATION IN PRECAST VIADUCT CONSTRUCTION: CASE STUDY

摘要

This paper presents a university-industry joint research endeavor to apply simulation modeling to review, assess, and improve the current construction practices. In particular, the Simplified Discrete-Event Simulation Approach (SDESA) and its computer platform, a systems modeling and simulation tool for rapid construction application development and a result of in-house research, were utilized on an ongoing 4.2 km long highway viaduct construction project in Hong Kong. The limited site space did not allow on-site storage of the bulky precast viaduct segments (I.e. segmental box girders). Any disruption in the precast segment supply would lead to a whole idle day on the contractor's side. Hence, the construction logistics and operations, spanning from the prefabrication, transportation, to site installation, warranted simulation modeling to achieve harmonious supply-demand matching and subsequent high productivity. The precast segment erection method was observed, modeled, and verified by comparison with the site records. Several alternatives to tackle the site inventory problem were then postulated, simulated, evaluated, and compared.