Article: Modeling construction material logistics system with stochastic Petri nets

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TitleModeling construction material logistics system with stochastic Petri nets
AuthorsNg, TST
Fang, Y
Ugwu, OO
KeywordsConstruction materials
Materials management
Modelling
Stochastic modelling
Issue Date2008
PublisherEmerald Group Publishing Limited.
CitationConstruction Innovation: Information, Process, Management, 2008, v. 8 n. 1, p. 46-60 [How to Cite?]
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14714170810846512
AbstractPurpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential of applying Petri nets to improve construction material logistics analysis and modelling. Design/methodology/approach – 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. Findings – 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. Research limitations/implications – 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. Practical implications – 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. Originality/value – This paper demonstrates that the time-based SPNs can offer more enriched solutions especially when modelling the time-evolution behaviours of construction logistics.
ISSN1471-4175
DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14714170810846512
DC Field
Value
dc.contributor.authorNg, TST
dc.contributor.authorFang, Y
dc.contributor.authorUgwu, OO
dc.date.accessioned2010-09-06T06:29:14Z
dc.date.available2010-09-06T06:29:14Z
dc.date.issued2008
dc.description.abstractPurpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential of applying Petri nets to improve construction material logistics analysis and modelling. Design/methodology/approach – 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. Findings – 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. Research limitations/implications – 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. Practical implications – 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. Originality/value – This paper demonstrates that the time-based SPNs can offer more enriched solutions especially when modelling the time-evolution behaviours of construction logistics.
dc.identifier.citationConstruction Innovation: Information, Process, Management, 2008, v. 8 n. 1, p. 46-60 [How to Cite?]
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14714170810846512
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14714170810846512
dc.identifier.epage60
dc.identifier.hkuros142804
dc.identifier.issn1471-4175
dc.identifier.issue1
dc.identifier.openurl
dc.identifier.spage46
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10722/71137
dc.identifier.volume8
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherEmerald Group Publishing Limited.
dc.relation.ispartofConstruction Innovation: Information, Process, Management
dc.subjectConstruction materials
dc.subjectMaterials management
dc.subjectModelling
dc.subjectStochastic modelling
dc.titleModeling construction material logistics system with stochastic Petri nets
dc.typeArticle