ng, S T; Fang, Y and Ugwu, O O (2008) Modelling construction material logistics system with stochastic Petri nets. Construction Innovation, 8(1), pp. 46-60. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential of applying Petri nets to improve construction material logistics analysis and modelling. The characteristics of construction logistics are unveiled by analysing the existing practices of logistics management. In views of the dynamic nature of construction logistics problem, a stochastic Petri nets (SPNs) approach is proposed to tackle the time-evolution property. Using a simulation package called PetriTool™ a simulation model is developed. Finally, a case example is applied to illustrate the way in which SPNs is used for analysing and modelling construction material logistics problems. The results indicate that the impacts triggered by variations in delivery lead-time and changes in delivery quantities can be approximated thereby facilitating decision makers to devise a more reliable and optimal materials management plan for construction projects. The complex routing patterns in demand analysis and materials procurement methods that results in the enlarged supply chains have not been considered in this paper. The lack of a simple but powerful formalism to analyse and model the decision process under a dynamic environment hinders the implementation of efficient logistics systems in the construction industry. The SPNs model presented in this paper can support planners and managers in making construction logistics management decisions under dynamic environment. This paper demonstrates that the time-based SPNs can offer more enriched solutions especially when modelling the time-evolution behaviours of construction logistics.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction materials; materials management; modelling; stochastic modelling |
| Index terms: | demand analysis, manager, materials management, evolution, variation, construction project, management decision, decision process, procurement method, package, modelling, implementation, construction industry, logistics management, construction material, construction logistics, planner |
| Subjects: | market analysis, decision analysis, industry analysis, supply chain operations, decision-making and reasoning, production management, contractual condition, building materials, operations management, contractual arrangements, environmental science, analytical methods, profession, construction logistics, practitioner |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Procurement, Sustainability, Risk Management, Roles and Professions, Supply Chain Management, Contract Administration, Site Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here