Productivity analysis of heavy construction operations

CYCLONE for Microcomputers is extended in this research. The extended version provides an interactive environment for analysis of construction operations. The analysis is carried out in the context of various work modules which address: (1) Quantity Development (2) Resource Definition (3) Production and Cost Analysis. The quantity work module generates quantities based on information available in the design documents. The resource definition module receives and stores data regarding the labor/equipment combination to be used to execute work tasks. This module provides the user with a set of standard useful heavy construction process models. For each heavy construction operation to be analyzed, the terminal describes the standard CYCLONE models. The user makes input of a set of parameters for process keyname, quantity, CYCLONE level task durations, number of resources, production capacity of each unit, and cost per hour of each unit to the standard CYCLONE model to be used. Using input from the resource definition module, the productivity and cost analysis module generates production rates and unit costs based on process simulation using CYCLONE methodology. The balance point technique of balancing the resources in a dual cycle operation is compared with simulation analysis of construction operations using the standard CYCLONE model in this research. Two calling unit matrices are developed for one server and two server systems. These calling unit matrices present the cost optimal number of calling units as a function of the number of servers, server cost/calling unit cost ratio, and balance point in a dual cycle system. The transient response in productivity of excavation operations using the standard CYCLONE models is also investigated in this research.