https://doi.org/10.24928/2022/0145

Hybrid Simulation for Value Stream Mapping to Improve the Environmental Performance of the Construction Phase

Danh Toan Nguyen¹ & Walter Sharmak²

¹Ph.D. Candidate, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, University of Kassel, Hessen, Germany, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0003-4147-9583
²2 Professor, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, TH Lübeck-University of Applied Sciences, Lübeck, Germany, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0003-4440-216x

Abstract

The environmental impact assessment of the construction phase is often not fully considered compared to other phases of the project life cycle. Previous studies on environmental impact reduction have often focused on technical aspects rather than organisational aspects. The value stream mapping (VSM) method has been extended to capture and improve environmental performance by systematically adopting lean methods in the manufacturing process. However, in the construction field, this approach encounters difficulties establishing state maps and considering the interrelationships between different processes in an uncertain and dynamic environment. This study proposes a hybrid approach combining Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) and System Dynamics (SD) based on process patterns to overcome these obstacles. First, process patterns, including activity packages, are developed to assist the VSM in creating state maps and identifying environmental impact sources. Then, construction operations with their state maps and needed resources are modelled as autonomous agents containing causal-effect loops (SD modules) in a MAS model. These agents interact with each other to describe the construction operating mechanism. Finally, different lean methods are analysed to find opportunities to improve environmental performance.

Keywords

Lean construction, value stream, process, environmental assessment, hybrid simulation.

Files

Reference

Nguyen, D. T. & Sharmak, W. 2022. Hybrid Simulation for Value Stream Mapping to Improve the Environmental Performance of the Construction Phase, Proc. 30th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) , 421-432. doi.org/10.24928/2022/0145

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