Development of the Simulation Model for Ready Mixed Concrete Supply Chain Cost Structure

Abstract

Supply of Ready Mixed Concrete (RMC) is a common process of concrete works on any structure. There is often a need to supply one or more construction sites simultaneously from multiple concrete plants. This paper presents a new simulation model of RMC supply and delivery from three concrete plants to three construction sites. The model is dynamic, easily managed, and adjustable and it allows proper estimation of the cost and time required to solve the problem of RMC supply. Model verification was performed using a case study of concrete supply to construction sites in the city of Niš, Serbia. The case study is based on real parameters obtained from specific concrete plants and construction sites. The results of the simulation experiment with varying number of mixers indicate that there is a significant influence of vehicle number and volume on idling costs. Based on the model analysis in the case study, scenario 10 (minimum total idling cost is 14,09 €) is recommended as the optimal combination of truck mixers for the considered case study. The simulation results indicate that the selection of an adequate combination can significantly reduce the costs of idling, for both the mixer and the pump, which leads to minimal idling time and, consequently, to timely pouring of concrete without reducing its quality