Estimating productivity of earthmoving operations using spatial technologies

A. Montaser*, I. Bakry, A. Alshibani, O. Moselhi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper presents an automated methodology for calculating productivity of earthmoving operations in near real-time. The developed methodology utilizes global positioning system (GPS) and Google Earth to extract the data needed to estimate productivity of the tracked operation. A GPS device is mounted on one of the hauling units to capture the spatial data along hauling roads considered for the project. Based on the position of hauling units, the elevation of the road at such location is directly extracted from Google Earth and then utilized in calculating the grade resistance of the respective hauling units. The variations in the captured 79 cycle times were then used to model the uncertainty associated with the operation. This was carried out by data fitting and computer simulation. The data fitting was carried out using a commercially available software system to generate the probability distribution used in the simulation software "Extend". The simulation was utilized in optimizing the production of excavator with that of the hauling units. Spreadsheet application has been developed to perform the calculations. An example project was considered to compare the results obtained using the developed methodology and those actually recorded on the job site. Job site was for the construction of research laboratory building of 4 floors including a basement, constructed in the west end of Montreal. The case study demonstrates the useful application of the developed methodology in remote monitoring of earthmoving operations and in support of timely corrective actions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAnnual Conference of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering 2011, CSCE 2011
Pages2318-2327
Number of pages10
StatePublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameProceedings, Annual Conference - Canadian Society for Civil Engineering
Volume3

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Estimating productivity of earthmoving operations using spatial technologies'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this