Construction simulation and distribution fitting in a data deficient environment

The authors describe a hybrid input modeling technique that can be used for construction simulation under a data deficient environment. The technique developed incorporates the effect of external factors on the duration estimate. In SIDES, linguistic processing has been coupled with the visual interactive modification of the input distribution. SIDES provides a simple tool for the quantification of the factors that might affect activity duration on a construction project. The importance of taking into consideration the subjective factors affecting the duration, normally given by experts for a particular activity is highlighted. This helps in incorporating the uncertainty and dynamic nature of the construction activities in the duration estimates. The model developed provides a tool for fitting a distribution to the activity duration when limited data is available. The system is fully automated and implemented for use on a microcomputer