Mostafa Khanzadi, Farnad Nasirzadeh, Mahdi Rezaie,
Volume 24, Issue 3 (9-2013)
Abstract
Allocation of construction risks between clients and their contractors has a significant impact on the total construction costs. This paper presents a system dynamics (SD)-based approach for quantitative risk allocation. Using the proposed SD based approach, all the factors affecting the risk allocation process are modeled. The contractor’s defensive strategies against the one-sided risk allocation are simulated using governing feedback loops. The full-impact of different risk allocation strategies may efficiently be modeled, simulated and quantified in terms of time and cost by the proposed object-oriented simulation methodology. The project cost is simulated at different percentages of risk allocation and the optimum percentage of risk allocation is determined as a point in which the project cost is minimized. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, it has been implemented in a pipe-line project. The optimal risk allocation strategy is determined for the inflation risk as one of the most important identified risks.
Parham Azimi, Naeim Azouji,
Volume 28, Issue 4 (11-2017)
Abstract
In this paper a novel modelling and solving method has been developed to address the so-called resource constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP) where project tasks have multiple modes and also the preemption of activities are allowed. To solve this NP-hard problem, a new general optimization via simulation (OvS) approach has been developed which is the main contribution of the current research. In this approach, the mathematical model of the main problem is relaxed and solved then the optimum solutions were used in the corresponding simulation model to produce several random feasible solutions for the main problem. Finally, the most promising solutions were selected as the initial population of a genetic Algorithm (GA). To test the efficiency of the problem, several test problems were solved by the proposed approach and according to the results, the proposed concept has a very good performance to solve such a complex combinatoral problem. Also, the concept could be easily applied for other similar combinatorics.
Keyvan Roshan, Mehdi Seifbarghy, Davar Pishva,
Volume 28, Issue 4 (11-2017)
Abstract
Preventive healthcare aims at reducing the likelihood and severity of potentially life-threatening illnesses by protection and early detection. In this paper, a bi-objective mathematical model is proposed to design a network of preventive healthcare facilities so as to minimize total travel and waiting time as well as establishment and staffing cost. Moreover, each facility acts as M/M/1 queuing system. The number of facilities to be established, the location of each facility, and the level of technology for each facility to be chosen are provided as the main determinants of a healthcare facility network. Since the developed model of the problem is of an NP-hard type, tri-meta-heuristic algorithms are proposed to solve the problem. Initially, Pareto-based meta-heuristic algorithm called multi-objective simulated annealing (MOSA) is proposed in order to solve the problem. To validate the results obtained, two popular algorithms namely, non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) and non-dominated ranking genetic algorithm (NRGA) are utilized. Since the solution-quality of all meta-heuristic algorithms severely depends on their parameters, Taguchi method has been utilized to fine tune the parameters of all algorithms. The computational results, obtained by implementing the algorithms on several problems of different sizes, demonstrate the reliable performances of the proposed methodology.
Babak Shirazi,
Volume 28, Issue 4 (11-2017)
Abstract
Resource planning in large-scale construction projects has been a complicated management issue requiring mechanisms to facilitate decision making for managers. In the present study, a computer-aided simulation model is developed based on concurrent control of resources and revenue/expenditure. The proposed method responds to the demand of resource management and scheduling in shell material embankment activities regarding large-scale dam projects of Iran. The model develops a methodology for concurrent management of resources and revenue/expenditure estimation of dam's projects. This real-time control allows managers to simulate several scenarios and adopt the capability of complicated working policies. Results validation shows that the proposed model will assist project managers as a decision support tool in cost-efficient executive policymaking on resource configuration.
Parham Azimi, Shahed Sholekar,
Volume 32, Issue 1 (1-2021)
Abstract
According to the real projects’ data, activity durations are affected by numerous parameters. In this research, we have developed a multi-resource multi objective multi-mode resource constrained scheduling problem with stochastic durations where the mean and the standard deviation of activity durations are related to the mode in which each activity is performed. The objective functions of model were to minimize the net present value and makespan of the project. A simulation-based optimization approach was used to handle the problem with several stochastic events. This feature helped us to find several solutions quickly while there was no need to take simplification assumptions. To test the efficiency of the proposed algorithm, several test problems were taken from the PSPLIB directory and solved. The results show the efficiency of the proposed algorithm both in quality of the solutions and the speed.
Arezou Ghahghaei, Mehdi Seifbarghy, Davar Pishva,
Volume 32, Issue 3 (9-2021)
Abstract
This paper develops an approximate cost function for a three-echelon supply chain that has two suppliers, a central warehouse and an arbitrary number of retailers. It takes an integrated approach to multi-echelon inventory control and order-splitting problems. It assumes that all facilities apply continuous review policy for replenishment, demand at the retailers follows a Poisson process, and lead times are stochastic with no predetermined probability distribution. Unsatisfied demand is considered as lost sales at the retailers and backlogged at the warehouse and suppliers. Due to information sharing between the existing echelons, order quantity at each higher level is assumed to be an integer multiple of the lower level. Order placed by the warehouse gets divided between the two suppliers and re-order point is not restricted at the warehouse or suppliers. The main contribution of this paper is its integrated approach and the practical assumption that it uses for the order arrival sequence and the unsatisfied demands. It adds two suppliers as the third echelon to the traditional two-echelon supply chain and considers dynamic sequence of orders arrival to the warehouse at each cycle. The fact that inventory control and sourcing decisions are interdependent and act as the main challenge of supply chain management, considering them in an integrated model can significantly influence operating costs and supply chain’s efficiency. Such approach can even have greater impact when blended with practical assumptions that consider lead-time as unpredictable and unsatisfied demand as lost sales. Total cost of the three-echelon inventory system is approximated based on the average unit cost and its accuracy is assessed through simulation. Numerical results with relatively low errors confirms the accuracy of the model. It also shows how to further enhance its accuracy by either increasing the holding cost at all echelons or the penalty cost at the retailers.
Luis Ceferino Franco-Arbeláez, Luis Eduardo Franco-Ceballos, Héctor Alonso Olivares-Aguayo,
Volume 34, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract
Previous work has highlighted the need to apply stochastic modeling to understand the dynamics of phenomena occurring in the insurance industry. In this paper, for life insurance and applying a stochastic approach under efficient markets, we use survival probabilities and stochastic differential equations to model the actuarial reserve, changes in the constituted actuarial reserve, and estimated income over time. We present an application, sensitivity analysis, and discussion of the results using United States life tables.
Iffan Maflahah, Wila Wirvikananda, Hamzah Fansuri, Dian Farida Asfan, Raden Faridz,
Volume 35, Issue 3 (9-2024)
Abstract
Seablite salt (Suaeda maritima) was a unique product currently under development. Seablite is a low-sodium salt essential for modern society, particularly for those who prioritize their health. This investigation aims to employ a dynamic system approach to evaluate the revenue and profit generated by the salt production system. The dynamic systems approach steps: the construction of the causal loop diagram, the development of the stock-and-flow model, the parameterization of the model, the simulation to analyze the system's behavior under various conditions, the verification and validation, the development of policy recommendations, and the conclusion with a summary of the core findings. The model was developed using four submodels: (1) demand, (2) supply, (3) production cost, and (4) revenue. The moderate scenario demonstrates that the salt flow requirements can be satisfied by utilizing the dynamic system to protect the revenue and production costs. It was consistent with the escalating production expenses. According to the optimistic scenario, the salt demand can be satisfied until 2026. The company's revenue is insufficient to cover production costs due to the rise in raw material prices. Farmers begin to reap the rewards in this scenario. It's because the overall revenue exceeds the production costs.
