Performance measurement indices for simulated construction operations

Abstract

This paper describes the development of indices useful in automating the experimentation process of a computer simulation. Simulation methodologies have been developed to model construction systems, but most of these systems require the experimentation process to be carried out manually. In achieving optimum performance, one has to repeat an exhaustive number of experiments. The indices can be used to automate this process, as they are indicators of bottlenecks in the system that can be tracked through the simulation output. They are based upon user-defined performance guidelines for the resources. Where a performance index falls outside the acceptable range, remedial action may be taken. Belief networks, a probabilistic form of artificial intelligence, were used to automate the analysis of the indices to determine the most likely causal factor of poor performance.Key words: construction engineering, computer simulation, performance indices, belief networks, performance improvement.

A decision support system for selecting the optimal contracting strategy in highway work zone projects

“…McCabe et al [6] developed an automated approach using belief networks to provide diagnostic functionality to the performance analysis of construction operations. McCabe and AbuRizk [8] introduced Bayesian belief networks for engineering applications. Attoh-Okine [9] presented the application of belief networks to make inferences in highway construction costs.…”