SIMBASE: A Decision Support System for Economic Justification of Automated Construction Technology

Methodology for the economic justification of automated technology has already been developed in the manufacturing arena. This paper discusses the modifications required for application of this methodology to the construction industry. Modifications are necessary due to the industry’s conservative nature in adapting new technology, the fact that the construction process resembles more a job shop production system rather than a flow shop (more difficult to automate), and due to the fact that the majority of construction contractors, relatively speaking, are small in size and capital poor. An economic justification methodology appropriate for the construction industry is presented with four modules: Cost and Performance Information Module (CPIM), Cost and Performance Evaluation Module (CPEM), Project Bids Estimation Module (PBEM), and Total Expected Profit Module (TEPM).