A feasibility model for use of weather protection in cold region construction
Abstract
Accounting for weather protection is an important part of the bid for cold weather construction projects, which can easily cut into the projected profit if underestimated. However, for lack of any better tool, this portion of the bid is often approximated by a guess. The author has developed a model to aid the contractor in making calculated decisions on the use and type of protection of his project during the winter. The decision model was created to investigate the economical feasibility and optimal type of cold weather protection at specific construction sites. To accomplish this task, the SLAM II simulation language (Pritsker and associates, W. Lafayette, IN.) was selected as the core computer language. After considerable investigation a Triangular-Pert (Pert scheduling based on a triangular distribution) was chosen for this simulation. The schedule for a three-story office building with a basement was selected and simulated as an example. The first set of runs of this simulation was done without any weather-productivity adjustment. In the next set of runs, however, the daily weather information was input through a weather data generator. This weather generator, which is used as a subroutine function of the SLAM II program, then creates the necessary data to be used as input in the productivity subroutine function. This subroutines calculates the Cold Environment Efficiency Factor (CEEF), which is used to adjust the duration of each activity for cold weather impact. Comparing the adjusted figures to the original simulated durations, a third subroutine calculates the extra cost due to not enclosing the construction. This includes the additional labor cost and the liquidated damages (if any) incurred because of the overall project delay. At this point the cost of enclosing by five different protection systems and two heating systems (material, installation, operation costs included) was calculated. The list of systems presented are only an example and can easily be amended by other available systems by inputting additional basic information into the model. Once the second set of cost information is available, an economical study can be conducted to compare the alternatives and decide on the best.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Hancher, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Civil engineering
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