Construction Simulation Research at the University of Michigan
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Robert I. Carr Professor of Civil Engineering Introduction The paper summarizes three current research thrusts at the University of Michigan to advance the state of the art of computer modeling of construction. They can be classified as (1) process simulation, (2) project simulation, and (3) project time-cost tradeoff. The research was born out of a concern for the limited capacity of available techniques to model construction realities. Construction managers select methods to assertible material resources using human and equipment resources. Tasks are linked as activities, which are performed in a sequence dictated by physical and resource constraints. Objectives in selecting alternative methods and resource assignments are to complete the project quickly and inexpensively. Most human and equipment resources and methods are shared among several activities, as are supervision, weather, and other duration and cost related variables. Some of the variables, such as construction methods and personnel and equipment assignments are selected by managers and are therefore decision variables. The magnitudes of other variables, such as crew and equipment productivities and weather, are uncertain and can be considered selected by nature and are therefore random variables. In reality, managers make decisions as they are needed, based on progress and information available to date, and they monitor