Simulation as a tool for resource management

The decision-making process is a very essential part of any construction operation. Simulation can be used as a tool to assist construction managers in making informed decisions. In this paper, simulation is applied to a Concrete Batch Plant to analyze alternative solutions and resource management. Data is collected to define activity durations for the plant. A simulation model is constructed for the plant using the Micro CYCLONE simulation system. Based on sensitivity analysis, management tools are constructed to help the decision-maker. These tools are a Time-Cost-Quantity chart, a feasible region analysis and a contour lines chart. Time-Cost-Quantity and contour lines charts are used for deciding production time, production cost and required resources for a required distance from the plant. The feasible region chart is used for deciding the range of alternative solutions that can be taken to minimize production time and cost of the available plant resources according to the required transportation distance.