Modeling construction operations with RISim

Construction simulation can be a very tedious task requiring expert knowled ge of simulation modeling. Furthermore, construction projects are relativel y short lived. As a result, the use of simulation to analyze and improve co nstruction work processes has not become a routine exercise, although it is commonly used in some other engineering fields. RISim (Resource-Interacted Simulation) adopts a resource-oriented methodology to promote an intuitive feel to simulation modeling. An operation is modeled in two abstraction le vels, namely, resource and process, and it is viewed as a collection of res ources and their interactions. Complex resources and simple resources are u sed to respectively represent resources with or without their own processes . The key features ensuing from this approach are attempts to simplify the simulation modeling process. The result is that the complex resources can h ave a general characterization with the potential for a "plug-in and simula te" capability. A pipe-laying example employing several resources is presen ted. The interaction of these resources in the operation should demonstrate the methodology and potential of this approach.