Design of Work in Process Buffers in Repetitive Building Projects: A Case Study
Vicente González1, Luis Fernando Alarcón2 & Pedro Gazmuri3
1Ph. D. Candidate, Escuela de Ingeniería, Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 306, Correo 22, Santiago, Chile. Lecturer, Escuela de Ingeniería de la Construcción, Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile. E-Mail: [email protected]2Professor of Civil Engineering, Escuela de Ingeniería, Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 306, Correo 22, Santiago, Chile, E-Mail: [email protected]
3Professor of Industrial Engineering, Escuela de Ingeniería, Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 306, Correo 22, Santiago, Chile, E-Mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Variability in construction projects usually leads to schedule delays, cost overruns and productivity losses. Among the different techniques and tools employed to manage a construction project the use of buffers is a common approach to handle variability and to protect production processes from its negative impact. Time float, resource inventories and budget contingencies are examples of buffers used in construction in an intuitive and informal way. Empirical evidence recently collected about existing inefficiencies in the use of WIP (Work-in-Process) in construction projects highlights the double-opportunity to improve current practice of WIP and variability management by using WIP as buffers. The paper addresses the use of WIP buffers in construction schedules of repetitive building projects and proposes an approach for WIP buffer design. A discrete simulation model to study the impact of the optimum WIP buffer size on construction schedule was developed and this paper presents its application to a real project (case study). Finally, simulation results and the potential of WIP buffers to implement production strategies based on Lean Construction principles in construction projects are analyzed.
Keywords
Buffers, Lean Construction, Simulation Optimization, Variability, Work in Process
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Reference
González, V. , Alarcón, L. F. & Gazmuri, P. 2006. Design of Work in Process Buffers in Repetitive Building Projects: A Case Study, 14th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction , 165-176. doi.org/
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