Hierarchical and modular modeling of structural steel erection process using Petri Nets

The construction industry is growing at a fast pace-newer project delivery methodologies are being adopted; design of facilities is continuously improving, newer means, methods, and materials of construction are being used. All these market forces have resulted in an increase in complexity of on-site construction processes. The construction industry needs advanced tools and techniques to plan and manage these complex construction processes. This paper describes and utilizes a Petri Net based hierarchical and modular modeling and analysis technique for the planning of complex construction processes. Petri Nets are graphical modeling tools that have been utilized in the modeling and analysis of processes in the fields of software engineering, telecommunications, manufacturing, and construction. This paper highlights advanced features of Petri Nets and their utilization in the modeling and analysis of structural steel erection processes. Through the use of hierarchy, modularity, and resource modeling Petri Nets provide clear advantages in the modeling of complex construction processes.