Application of 4D for dynamic site layout and management of construction projects (original) (raw)
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4D dynamic construction management and visualization software: 1. Development
4D dynamic construction management and visualization software: 1. Development, 2005
"With the increasing complexity of modern construction projects, there is a pressing need on higher degree of assistance from computer in order to accomplish effective planning and management. This paper delineates the previous development and implementation of a prototype four-dimensional site management model (4DSMM), with the objectives to address the requirement for linking scheduling data to a three-dimensional computer graphics building model and to furnish the capability for planners to view graphic simulations of the construction process at any prospective specified date. Through the development and various real site trials in these few years, this prototype model extends 4D technology into areas of resource management and site space utilization, in addition to planning of building construction solely. In this study, a new information system platform, graphics for construction and site utilization (GCPSU), has been developed to implement the model 4DSMM. The characteristics of the prototype system, including the integration of dynamic resource management at the project level and decision-making support, and the underlying techniques, employed in the model to facilitate and tailor the construction management practice, are presented. Keywords: 4D site management; construction planning; scheduling; visualization"
4D dynamic construction management and visualization software: 2. Site trial
4D dynamic construction management and visualization software: 2. Site trial, 2005
"The performance of any system can only be gauged by practical applications. This paper delineates some insight and experience on the on-site use of a prototype four-dimensional (4D) site management software system for a warehouse superstructure in Hong Kong. It links a three-dimensional model and a construction schedule to furnish visualization of the state of a site at any user-specified date. Site personnel generally view this system as potentially very promising and helpful. The 4D visualization is found to have capability to assist cognitive, reflective and analytical activities of site management. Through this site trial, some limitations of the software are also spotted which consequently lead to enhancement to the system. The prototype model may require a large amount of data input for large projects which lead to large computer files and slow processing speed. Hence, careful implementation of details is required in the planning level for practical 4D simulation modeling. This, however, will not be a long-term problem, given the recent advancement of computer technology. Keywords: 4D site management; construction planning; scheduling; site trial"
Development of a 4D Visualization Tool for Construction Planning
E-Activity and Intelligent Web Construction: Effects of Social Design, 2011
This chapter presents the implementation of a system that visualizes the construction process using 3D modeling data and schedule data to analyze construction planning. Previous papers have emphasized the benefits of visual 4D planning that combines 3D modeling data and process schedule data for work progress control. The proposed methodology offers rapid visualization of work performance with scheduled activity and facilitates construction planning and schedule inspection. Consequently, it should ...
A Review on Visualization of Construction Planning and Scheduling Using 4D CAD Modeling
This study presents on visualization of construction planning and scheduling using 4D CAD Modeling. Planning of construction activities is an important factor for development of construction industry. There are various tools available for planning of regular projects but complicated projects requires more accuracy in planning in order to save both time and money. Contractors and suppliers try to finish the project within schedule time of completion without any cost overruns. For that, they adopt various planning methodology. Still there is a vast difference between planning and actual site execution. This is mainly due to ineffective planning & visualization. Therefore, efficient visualization & planning of construction activities is required for better cost control and avoid time overruns. 4D CAD modeling is the better tool for visualization and planning of construction activities. In this paper applicability of 4D CAD tool for planning, visualization, monitoring of various important construction activities like RCC elements of frame structure and benefits of 4D CAD modeling are studied. 4D Models link components in 3D CAD models with activities from the design, procurement, and construction schedules. The resulting 4D production model of a project allows project stakeholders to view the planned construction of a facility over time on the screen and to review a 3D CAD model for any day, week, or month of the project. Use of 4D Model contributed in time saving and ultimately cost of construction by reducing the delay. 4D models help to improve construction plans as compared to traditional planning tools.
Trends of 4D CAD Applications for Construction Planning
Construction Management and Economics, 2004
Since the early 1990s, there has been a growing interest in four-dimensional computer aided design (4D CAD) for construction project planning. Commercial 4D CAD applications are becoming more accessible and the use of this technology allows the construction planner to produce more rigorous schedules. A review of the technical competencies of these packages highlights that most of the commercially available packages concentrate on the use of 4D CAD simulations for aesthetic visualization purposes. Very few packages offer the ability to carry out analytical tasks on the developed simulation and this is often left to the interpretation of the user. A thorough appraisal of emerging research developments in 4D planning highlights that this technology is employed for various applications; however, the amount of detail required in a 4D simulation is still ambiguous. A model is proposed to determine the attributes required for use with each of the various applications of 4D CAD simulations. Finally, various lines of future research are highlighted, including the need for improved use of data exchange standards and the automation of linking the construction tasks to the 3D CAD model.
An evaluation of the applicability of 4D CAD on construction projects
Automation in Construction, 2010
4D CAD models that integrate physical 3D elements with time, have been used to visualize construction processes in several projects worldwide. 4D models have been used and have been shown to have benefits over processes that span the entire lifecycle of a project such as collaboration with stakeholders, making design decisions, assessing project constructability, identifying spatial conflicts in construction and so on. Despite these benefits, several organizational and project-specific barriers have hindered the widespread adoption of 4D CAD. In order to reconcile the theoretical benefits of 4D models with the practical difficulties faced in implementation, there is an urgent need to explore the implementation of 4D models on construction sites as well as the perceptions of intended users/beneficiaries towards this implementation. This paper aims to address this need and contribute to our understanding of how 4D models must be introduced, positioned and implemented on construction sites, so as to maximize both their acceptability and their usefulness. We describe two 4D models of infrastructure projects and two 4D models of commercial projects that have been built and implemented. Through a process of structured and unstructured interviewing the paper gauges the response of project participants across various organizational levels on each of these projects as to the usefulness of 4D in project planning and control. Through qualitative and statistical analysis of the data we establish that 4D CAD is likely to be most beneficial in the project shaping or planning stage and in the construction stage. In the project shaping stage, 4D CAD is likely to be particularly useful in communicating construction plans and processes to clients, while during the construction phase, 4D CAD is likely to be particularly useful in comparing the constructability of work methods visually in order to detect conflicts or clashes, and as a visual tool for contractors, clients, subcontractors and vendors to review and plan project progress. Further, upper management and site workers are more likely to use and derive benefits from the visualization of processes using 4D given their lack of site related knowledge or skills, while construction professionals who are more construction-savvy are more likely to appreciate and benefit from the analytical and planning aids that 4D simulations provide during the construction phase. However, it is likely that despite these benefits 4D CAD models might not diffuse through the construction industry unless 4D modelling and analysis is integrated into existing project planning approaches. The paper concludes with a brief discussion on future 4D software development that seeks to bring about such integration and leverages the benefits of 4D CAD to bring about improved operational efficiencies on construction sites.
Improving construction planning through 4D planning
Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 2008
PurposeConstruction planning will play an increasingly more critical role within the realm of the built environment due to the unprecedented growth in the industry and a general skills shortage. Existing practices are failing to deliver the desired results for construction companies and clients alike. The increasing availability of 3D models has facilitated their use in a process known as 4D planning, allowing the visual planning of activities including the communication of logistical and other interfaces. The purpose of the research was to better understand the implementation of such a process, and determine the benefits thereof.Design/methodology/approachA survey of the literature was followed by an observation/participation case study. A further survey of construction personnel was conducted to provide data to inform opinion's generated during the case study.FindingsThe results of the research suggest that 4D planning provides the tools for visualising the process implication...
This study presents an Application of 4D CAD Modeling for Planning & Scheduling. The current planning process is largely manual and time-consuming. There are number of traditional methods for planning and scheduling of construction projects like Bar chart, CPM network technique. One of the technologies developed to improve the coordination, communication of data, design, planning and visualization of construction projects is " Four Dimensional Computer Aided Design (4D CAD) ". 4D CAD model is a computer generated model of structure. Therefore it is used to stimulate graphically. 4D models can give a clear picture of project & idea to future possible impact while planning which will occur during construction. 4D model is the promising tool for construction planning. If only converting this 2D drawing is a tedious task, combining these 2D drawings with safety. planning creates more difficult tasks. In order to address the problems, this paper discusses our research in integrating construction scheduling and safety planning in a 4D environment. Use of 4D Model contributed in time saving and ultimately cost of construction by reducing the delay. 4D models help to improve construction plans as compared to traditional planning tools.
4D dynamic management for construction planning and resource utilization
4D dynamic management for construction planning and resource utilization, 2004
"The requirements, nowadays, for more effective planning and management assistance from computer have become even more demanding. In this paper, our 4D model, 4D Site Management Model+ (4DSMM+), is described, a model developed in an attempt to address the requirement for linking scheduling data to a 3D computer graphics building model, which will allow planners to perform graphic simulations of the construction process. Compared to other 4D models and our earlier research, the current model extends 4D technology into the areas of resource management and site space utilization, in addition to the planning of building construction. A new information system platform, 4D Management for Construction Planning and Resource Utilization (4D-MCPRU), has been developed in this research, in order to implement the model 4DSMM+, which integrates dynamic resource management at the project level and decision-making support with the other features. This paper discusses features of the newly extended model and describes the underlying techniques needed for applying the model in construction management practice. Keywords: 4D Site Management Model; 4D Management for Construction Planning and Resource Utilization; 4D technology"
Implementation of visualization as planning and scheduling tool in construction
"During the last decade, extensive research efforts have been made on the development of four-dimensional (4D) models (space + time) which integrate computer graphics of three-dimensional geometrical models to scheduling data with a view to generating graphic visualization of construction processes for planning and decision making purposes. Nevertheless, these 4D applications to construction planning are often limited to the component level of a building. Their major drawback is the lack of pragmatic site management features, such as analysis of resource requirements for individual construction activity, generation of site facility layouts, quantification of construction materials and cost evaluation over a specified time period. The objective of this study on 4D graphics for construction planning and site utilization (acronym 4D-GCPSU) is mainly to furnish a solution to the aforementioned problem. In this paper, our works on 4D model in a broader site management context aiming to assist planners to deal with day to day activities are delineated. The prospective requirements for 4D application to support practical use on site management are also highlighted. Keywords: 3D geometrical model; 4D visualization; construction planning; construction scheduling; site management; site utilization"