Automating Construction Operations Using Discrete Event Simulation Models

Abstract

The level of automation in the construction industry stands in stark contrast to other engineering industries, such as automobile manufacturing, wherein most of the tasks are done by machines with minimal oversight from human operators. This disparity can be attributed to the distinctive nature of construction vis-à-vis manufacturing: customized projects, uncontrolled outdoor worksites, and necessary collaboration among disparate entities. New approaches toward control are required to address these challenges. This paper introduces a novel method that enables the automation of entire construction operations by using discrete event simulation models to orchestrate and actuate robots on the construction site. It is hypothesized that the adoption of this method would enable hitherto unexperienced levels of operation productivity and quality, and cost, and time savings, as well as reduction in safety incidents on construction worksites. A preliminary demonstration of the orchestration of small-scale electronically operated equipment models in the actual workplace using a DES model also is presented in this paper.