A Simulation-based Earthmoving Fleet Optimization Platform (SEFOP) for Truck/Excavator Selection in Rough Grading Project

Abstract

Earthmoving operations are complex system where many resources collaborate to carry out tasks. Although considerable efforts have been made in the development of efficient methods and systems for recommending appropriate fleets of equipment, in practice, average production rate method still prevails in favour of its simplicity at the cost of possible inaccuracy in planning and estimating at construction stage. In this paper, a simulation-based fleet selection methodology was introduced. Then, Simulation-based Earthmoving Fleet Optimization Platform (SEFOP), as an intuitive and efficient tool for equipment selection optimization in earthmoving operations, was presented. The proposed methodology and tool were applied on a real-world rough grading project and the outputted results proved that the SEFOP tool is able to provide a decision maker with insightful fleet selection strategy and accurate cost and duration estimates.