Automated System for Cost Estimating of Earthmoving Operations

This paper presents an automated system, designed to assist contractors in estimating time and cost of earthmoving operations utilizing object oriented simulation. The proposed system consists of two main modules (simulation/optimization, and reporting), equipment database, and equipment cost application (ECA). The system is developed in Microsoft environment and its components are integrated through a userfriendly interface. The paper provides an overview of the proposed system and describes briefly its main components. It also provides a detail description of the developed application ECA that is dedicated for estimating equipment owning and operating costs. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the use of the developed application and illustrate its essential features.