ABSTRACT
The simulation systems created by the research community-combined with visualization-revealed to be very helpful in designing complex construction operations and in making optimal decisions at the planning stage. S. AbouRizk and K. Mather developed a simulation system through integration with 3D Computer Aided Design in which each resource is associated with its “atomic model”. The concept of “atomic model” has been presented by B. P Ziegler, J. J Luna and A. M. Odeh in order to simplify simulation model building. The simulation system is designated RoadSim and has been created to automate the process of: selection of resources; scheduling of the works and definition of contract construction cost. RoadSim architecture has been designed in order to make the current project elements available as input for the simulation modelling programme which, in reaction, returns actions such as “selection of resources”, “scheduling of works” or “construction cost estimating”.
