COOPS - Construction Object-Oriented Process Simulation System

This paper describes the modeling concepts and design of COOP, a new general purpose discrete-event simulation system for construction process modeling. COOPS simulation models are represented by graphical networks that are constructed interactively on the screen using primitive objects, such as activities, queues, consolidation nodes, routers, links, flags, resources, and free text. All primitive modeling elements are implemented as integrated objects that have dual functionality for simulation and for interactive graphics. Simulation is performed directly on the graphical model constructed on the screen. In addition, to standard modeling capabilities, the system provides precise simulation control, resource tracking ,and resource balancing for construction process modeling, by introducing the concepts of calendars, specific resources, and link resource requirements .COOPS is a completely object oriented construction simulation system. Thus, its functionality can be readily enhanced by extending the capabilities of existing objects. Furthermore, other planning systems, such as knowledge-based expert systems, can link and communicate directly with the objects in a COOPS simulation model. COOPS runs under Microsoft Windows 3.X and is available from the authors upon request.