Hybrid Discrete Event Simulation and Virtual Reality Experimental Setup for Construction Management Research

Abstract

Research and development of novel software to support production management in construction requires testing the application’s impact on crew leaders’ task allocation decisions. Given the difficulties with isolating cause and effect in field experiments, and the inadequacy of discrete event simulations (DESs) for the purpose of evaluating crew leaders’ experience and performance, a novel experimental approach was sought that would provide the benefits of DES but would nevertheless allow observation of the behavioral aspects. A hybrid