A Federated Simulation-Based Framework for Enhanced Construction Project Planning and Control

This study addresses the need for integrated planning and control in construction projects by proposing a novel federated simulation framework. Despite the proven effectiveness of simulation in project planning and control, its adoption is hindered by complexity and limited reusability. High-Level Architecture (HLA) standards were explored to mitigate these challenges, yet they also pose complexities of their own. The proposed framework integrates simulation and HLA advantages within a single environment, offering a standard object model for mapping data, a decomposable simulation component that supports plug-andplay flexibility, and a data acquisition and integration component that supports real-time dynamic updates and scenario analysis. A prototype federation demonstrates initial functionality, showcasing the framework's potential to streamline construction processes and enhance decision-making. By leveraging simulation and HLA synergies, our framework represents a promising approach to achieving integrated construction planning and control throughout project lifecycles.