Supply chain management model for ready mixed concrete

Abstract

Supplying ready mixed concrete (RMC) in both a timely and cost-effective manner has been a particular challenge for RMC suppliers. To address this issue, a dynamic simulation model is developed using system dynamics. This model represents the generic RMC operation process and can customize its structure and parameters for different operational conditions. Through model simulation, the RMC supply process is analyzed, focusing on the tradeoff between the truck mixer dispatching interval and queuing time on-site. The research findings indicate that the model-generated information helps in achieving an economical RMC supply by maintaining the number of queuing truck mixers at the desired level, while satisfying the contractor`s need. Ultimately, this dynamic model could potentially be used as an effective automated tool to assist RMC suppliers in supply planning. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.