Simulation of concrete batch plant production

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 concrete batching operations to analyze alternative solutions and resource management. Data are collected to define activity durations for the plant. A simulation model is constructed for the plant using the MicroCYCLONE 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 determining production time, production cost, and resources for a required distance from the plant. The feasible region chart is used for determining 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.