Empirical analysis of the learning curve principle in prestressed concrete piles

The principle of learning curves can be applied in construction for the prediction of the time/cycle of future work, work performance levels, and other performance measures. Learning curve principles can be effectively utilized in litigation cases where production is compromised by delays. The objective of this study was to determine if learning curves could be used to accurately predict the production efforts of future units by applying the principles to the prefabrication and driving of prestressed concrete piles. The individual time to cast each of the concrete piles was recorded and used to compute the cumulative average time (CATN) to fabricate the concrete piles. The data were used to compute the learning rate (φ) and the theoretical time to complete the first unit (Kc). From this information, predictions were made as to the amount of effort to fabricate future piles. The results showed that the pile fabrication crew improved its learning throughout the pile fabrication effort, but this improvement was quite small. The learning curve theory was found to apply well to large numbers of repeated items, and that the predictions made with learning curves are reasonably accurate.