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PROSIDYC:
Simulation Program for Construction Operations
The Need
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Currently 3D-modelling
is the trend in the simulation area. However, developing 3D
models of construction operations is very complex and time
consuming. In general, the study of construction operations
requires a tool that provides solutions without requiring the
input of copious amounts of data. In order for construction company to
use a simulation tool, the methodology has to be presented in
a very simple and graphical context. Pictorial and schematic
tools are easily accepted. In contrast, if the methodology appears
t be too theoretical or analytical it will be avoided by
construction practitioners. |
Construction of floating
caissons utilized PROSIDYC as a tool to increase production
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The Technology
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PROSIDYC is a
system for simulating construction operations jointly
developed by the Planning and Methods Unit of Dragados y
Construcciones, Madrid, Spain and the Division of Construction
Engineering & Management at Purdue University.
PROject SImulation Dragados Y
Construcciones (PROSIDYC) is a computer based system for
analyzing construction job site production processes. It is
used to improve productivity in the field by studying resource
utilization and cycle times and identifying opportunities for
production improvement. PROSIDYC uses the CYCLic Operations
NEtwork (CYCLONE) modeling format originally developed by
Daniel W. Halpin. A set of graphical modeling elements are
utilized to develop a network model of the process of
interest. The model identifies waiting or delay states as well
as active productive states. The computer program allows the
modeler to identify resources which are under utilized and
bottlenecks in the process Linder study.
The use of this approach has achieved
100%o success in productivity improvement on the processes
studied. Improvements range from 30% to 200%. Data support the
fact that for every hour of analyst time used, a saving of
$2,000 is realized. Therefore, for 100 hours of
engineering-time invested a saving of $200.000 is achieved.
The potential for further improvements
in productivity are virtually unlimited. Models developed for
one project can be adapted and reused on other projects. This
leads to a data base of expertise which focuses management's
attention on searching out productivity improvements. It
supports the concept that process design and improvement is a
way of life. This has had a major impact on managers in the
field and supported a company culture in which improved
productivity is an area of daily emphasis within the firm.
This same mindset has great potential
for the construction industry in general. Emphasizing design
of field processes to achieve repetition leads to improved
productivity and expedited project delivery without
sacrificing quality and functionality. |
The Benefits
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This modeling framework
includes a number of benefits including:
- A simplified and stylized input
module.
- Simplified linking, formats for model
construction and representation.
- A resource module which expedites
presentation of information about the saturation and
production capacity of each resource and displays
bottlenecks to assist in assessment and identification of
improvements to the process.
- Preparation of a multi-activity chart
which explains in detail how the work should be organized
and which is easily understood by the project chain of
command.
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Status
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The program has been used on
over 30 projects including tunnels, maritime projects, dams,
highways, etc. Examples of these projects are:
- A precast factory: PROSIDYC was used to
analyze and improve the manufacturing of 29,950 precast
segments for a 5.85-km sewer collector. An improvement of
44% was obtained. The production rate increased from 128
segments per day to 216 segments per day.
- Construction of floating caissons of
large dimensions (42m long, 16m wide, 16.5m height). The
simulation of the construction processes allowed the
calculation of the precise volume, allowing a very important
increase in the final production (45%).
- Improvement of the production of a
concrete plant. A concrete plant was bought from a supplier
who claimed a production rate of 50 cubic m/hr. In its first
use the production did not exceed 33 cubic m/hr. After
implementing the improvements indicated by the program, the
production rate reached a value of 43 cubic m/hr, a 30%
increase.
- Concrete pouring in a Roller-Compacted
dam. The application of PROSIDYC provided the optimization
of all the activities that were to be done in every
laver.
- Renovation of train tracks without
traffic interruption. The simulation program was applied to
coordinate the work. The results doubled the initial
estimates for the daily production.
- Tunnel excavation. Simulation was done
to improve the operations considering the available space,
improvements of 20% in the excavation cycles were obtained.
The interaction between Purdue
and Dragados is continuing with projects in progress to improve
the PROSIDYC system by utilizing, an improved Windows interface.
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Barriers
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- Lack of focus on savings to
be achieved using construction process analysis
- Need to use a special
department with expertise in simulation to gain advantages
with this method
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Points of Contact
- Daniel W. Halpin, Head of Division
of Construction
Engineering and Management, Purdue University, Phone: (765)
494-2244, Fax: (765) 494-0644, E-mail:
halpin@ecn.purdue.edu
- Edmundo Balbotin
Bravo, Dragados y Construcciones, Chief, Planning and Mthods
Unit, Ave. de Tenerife 4-6, 28700 San Sebastian de Los Reyes,
Madrid, Spain
References
- Luis-Henrique Martinez and Daniel W. Halpin,
"Real World Applications of Construction Process
Simulation", WSC '99
Disclaimer Statement
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Neither the Construction
Industry Institute nor Purdue University in any way endorses this
technology or represents
that the information presented can be relied upon without further investigation. |
MA32 |
