Optimization of construction execution plan using simulations

Building Information Modeling (BIM) and related technologies have successfully become industry standard for the onshore construction industry. Application to the offshore construction industries has traditionally been limited but is starting to take hold with the ongoing search for cost-reduction, efficiency and safety gains.
The optimization of construction schedules and resources is a highly relevant research field for the offshore construction industry, especially in lieu of the low oil price market experienced throughout the last years. A code has been implemented for optimizing project costs and completion time of construction projects using simulations. The code is generic and able to simulate any 4-5D BIM implemented construction project, as well as traditional progress plans provided sequencing dependencies and cost parameters are defined. The aim is to optimize team sizes for the various trades, as well as sequencing of the tasks within the specified limitations, to minimize project cost and time. A simulated case study has been developed for validation of the code. Implemented algorithm methodology as well as case study and simulation results are presented. The significant variations in resulting simulated project costs and completion times suggest that the implemented code can contribute significantly in the minimization of project costs and completion time.