Title: Integrated and collaborative process-based simulation framework for construction project planning

Authors: Ali Ismail; Yaseen Srewil; Raimar J. Scherer

Addresses: Institute of Construction Informatics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nürnberger Str. 31a 2.OG, 01187 Dresden, Germany ' Institute of Construction Informatics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nürnberger Str. 31a 2.OG, 01187 Dresden, Germany ' Institute of Construction Informatics, Technische Universität Dresden, Nürnberger Str. 31a 2.OG, 01187 Dresden, Germany

Abstract: This paper presents an integrated process-based construction simulation toolkit (CST) and a web-based collaboration platform named ProSIM to support planning of construction projects using simulation technique. The data integration between the simulation model and the project information is based on building information modelling (BIM) and multi-model data exchange approaches. CST aims to support planning and optimisation of production and logistic operations of construction projects. It targets rapid development of simulation models and efficient integration of simulation input data from various data models and capturing realtime data. ProSIM is a web-based portal enabling the collaboration among the simulation experts and project planning teams. The paper gives an overview about the simulation framework architects and focuses on the integration of simulation input data for four basic project data models, namely: product model based on IFC standards, process models and simulation templates based on BPMN notation, planning and resources data and real-time data fusion technology. It discusses and presents the latest research work and the prototype implementation through case studies.

Keywords: construction projects; project planning; simulation; process management; data integration; reference process modelling; collaborative planning; radio frequency identification; RFID; cyber-physical system; CPS; web-based collaboration; building information modelling; BIM; multi-model data exchange; construction industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPM.2017.082789

International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling, 2017 Vol.12 No.1, pp.42 - 53

Received: 08 Feb 2015
Accepted: 29 Jan 2016
Published online: 12 Mar 2017 *

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