ENHANCING INTERNAL VERTICAL LOGISTICS FLOWS IN HIGH-RISE CONSTRUCTION: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Abstract

Vertical logistics systems are important for enhancing production performance in highrise buildings (HRBs). However, researchers studying vertical logistics have focused on examining the flow of individual resources in isolation. Only a few studies adopt a holistic approach to optimizing the flow of resources. For example, research on the combined effect of the number, characteristics, and rules of elevators uses and break rooms' location on the production system's performance remain scarce. Methods and tools like agent-based modelling (ABM) and simulation could be used to study and predict vertical logistics systems' performance holistically. This research uses hypothetical strategies to investigate opportunities to enhance performance and develop more effective vertical logistics systems. The proposed agent-based model and simulation is validated with a simple, hypothetical takt plan. The simulation results show that the logistic system's performance varies when changing parameters like the number of elevators and the location of break rooms. This research's main contribution is a new way to study these systems and potentially enhance their performance. Furthermore, possibilities to maximize performance and remove logistical bottlenecks are suggested.