MATERIALS HANDLING SYSTEMS: SIMULATION OF PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF READY MIXED CONCRETE

This paper discusses the development of computer models which simulate materials handling systems particularly those in the construction industry. The programs are interactive, written in basic and suitable for macro and mini computer. The systems can have deterministic and non-deterministic activity times. With the latter, each time is divided into a minimum and a delay time. A stochastic variable is used for the delay. One model, TRUCSIM, considers the production and distribution of ready mixed concrete. This system involves queueing at loading, loading, travelling, queueing at unloading, unloading and returning for the transportation equipment. The object is to minimise total costs by balancing the equipment in each stage. Using material and equipment costs the optimum solution is found when the cost per unit of material moved is mnimised. Other models, MATSIMI-4, cover a wider range of materials handling problems such as the excavator-truck system. For the covering abstract of the congress see TRIS 378413. (TRRL)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • VII ERMCO Congress and Exhibition, London, May 22-26, 1983. Concrete Technology, Working Sessions W5A, W6A.
• Corporate Authors:

  British Ready Mixed Concrete Association

  Shepperton House, Green Lane
  Shepperton, Middlesex,   England 
• Authors:
  • Singh, G
  • Yeomans, I G
• Publication Date: 1983

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 8 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer programs; Conferences; Costs; Delivery service; Equipment; Freight handling; Manufactures; Materials management; Mathematical models; Minimization; Physical distribution; Production; Ready mixed concrete; Simulation; Time; Traffic delays
• Uncontrolled Terms: Minimum
• Old TRIS Terms: Haulage
• ITRD Terms: 8525: Conference; 224: Cost; 9010: Delay; 284: Delivery; 3647: Manufacture; 6473: Mathematical model; 5149: Mechanical handling; 9046: Minimum; 4770: Ready mixed concrete; 9103: Simulation; 8645: Software; 5414: Time
• Subject Areas: Finance; Freight Transportation; Highways; Materials; Planning and Forecasting; I32: Concrete; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00378464
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 30 1983 12:00AM