A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1985

This study applies a special simulation language called the General Purpose Simulation System Version V (GPSS V) as a basic tool to develop a computer - based model for analysing construction operations such as earthmoving, quarrying and concrete distribution. A queueing model with erlang distributions as both the backcycle and servicing time-distributions is developed. By taking advantage of the built-in features of GPSS V, this model developed can solve cases where there is more than one server servicing a fleet of K customers (e.g. trucks, scrapers). The validity of the model is tested by comparing the simulation results (obtained from running the tested model) with that of known Queueing Theory results. The subsequent model is then run for a selected range of the variables, such as the Erlang parameters, number of servers and trucks. Field studies are carried out to further show the application of this model in construction management. In addition, two investigations which are difficult to solve mathematically are carried out using simulation. (i) to test the effect of the backcycle time distribution on the system properties. (ii) to test Maaloe's approximation for finite source models. The results show that : (i) Maaloe's approximation is questionable for the finite source case. (ii) The results are quite different between models with Exponential and Erlang service time-models with different Erlang parameters.