Object-oriented simulation model for earthmoving operations

This paper presents a simulation engine, developed to model earthmoving operations. The engine has been designed utilizing object-oriented features, and it represents a main component in a newly developed automated system for selecting a near-optimum fleet configuration. It provides contractors with a vehicle for estimating the time and cost of this class of projects considering different practical scenarios. The system has been implemented in a Microsoft environment to facilitate integration among its components, which have been developed in the same environment. The paper focuses on the modeling aspects of the simulation process using discrete event simulation and object orientation. A numerical example of an actual case is analyzed to validate the developed simulation engine and demonstrate its capabilities. The results are compared to those generated using Caterpillar software (FPC). The engine and FPC recommended the same fleet and their estimated project durations were very close, with a difference less than 8%. Unlike FPC, the developed engine, however, can model and account for uncertainty during the execution of earthmoving operations in a reliable manner.