IGLC – International Group for Lean Construction
Menu

Proceedings / IGLC 34

IGLC 34 · Singapore, Singapore · 2026

Developing balanced production flow: a simulation on Mura reduction via Line of Balance

  1. Ph.D. Student, Department of Construction Science, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA, fazel@tamu.edu, orcid.org/0009-0003-2250-5667
  2. Master’s Student, Department of Construction Science, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
  3. Master’s Student, Department of Construction Science, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
  4. Master’s Student, Department of Construction Science, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
  5. Master’s Student, Department of Construction Science, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
  6. Professor, Department of Construction Science, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA, zrybkowski@arch.tamu.edu, orcid.org/0000-0002-0683-5004
  7. Sr.Associate Professor, Faculty of Technology, CEPT University, Gujarat, India, ganesh.devkar@cept.ac.in, orcid.org/0000-0002-5482-1221
  8. Master’s Student, Department of Construction Science, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
  9. Master’s Student, Department of Construction Science, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
  10. Master’s Student, Department of Construction Science, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
  11. Master’s Student, Department of Construction Science, School of Architecture, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA

https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0217

Abstract

Mura (unevenness) is one of the three fundamental wastes in lean thinking, along with Muda (waste) and Muri (overburden). In construction, Mura appears as irregular resource allocation, unpredictable durations, and unstable workflows that disrupt flow and reduce productivity. While Mura has been widely discussed in lean construction, fewer studies use Line of Balance (LOB) to quantify and visualize unevenness across repetitive work, which limits practical, schedule-based assessment. This study investigates Mura using a simulation that replicates pipe-laying operations. Two cycles are compared: one with unbalanced labor and one applying lean principles such as redistribution of resources and standardization. LOB is used to represent production rate and workflow stability across locations, allowing unevenness and its reduction to be observed directly. Results show that addressing Mura improves flow reliability and overall project performance, supporting more efficient construction planning for repetitive operations.

Keywords

  • Mura
  • lean construction
  • flow
  • simulation
  • line of balance.

Cite this paper

APA 7th edition

Nasserzadeh, F., Karkare, M. S., Kulkarni, S. Y., Long, T., Hedge, C., Rybkowski, Z. K., Devkar, G., Naik, D. H., Goudar, H., Durugkar, A. M., & Khan, F. (2026). Developing balanced production flow: a simulation on Mura reduction via Line of Balance. In F. Hamzeh, M. Poshdar, N. P. Garcia-Lopez, & V. Gan (Eds.), Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) (pp. 692–703). https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0217

Shortened reference for IGLC papers

Nasserzadeh, F., Karkare, M. S., Kulkarni, S. Y., Long, T., Hedge, C., Rybkowski, Z. K., Devkar, G., Naik, D. H., Goudar, H., Durugkar, A. M., & Khan, F. (2026). Developing balanced production flow: a simulation on Mura reduction via Line of Balance. IGLC34. https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0217