Areas of Application for 3D and 4D Models on Construction Projects

In recent years more and more construction projects used three-dimensional/four-dimensional (3D/4D) models to support management tasks. However, project managers still struggle with evaluating how the 3D/4D model technology can be most efficiently applied on their specific project. One main reason for this struggle is that an account about how 3D/4D models have been used in the past is missing. This paper offers practitioners and researchers such an account of the application areas of 3D/4D model technologies including the purposes for which these technologies have been applied. The paper qualitatively aggregates the results of 26 case studies of 3D/4D model applications on construction projects to show researchers and practitioners how 3D/4D models have been applied to address project challenges. Using a “project challenge—3D/4D model application” matrix the paper explains each application area and describes why the application has been beneficial to the case study projects. The paper then analyzes the challenges that practitioners have faced with 3D/4D models on the test case projects. The main findings of this analysis are that practitioners on most of the test case projects have used the models for only one application area. The paper suggests that further research on the integration of 3D/4D model technologies into work and business processes of project teams is needed to address this opportunity for a more widespread use of 3D/4D models throughout the lifecycle of a project.

[1]  Changwan Kim,et al.  Rapid, on-site spatial information acquisition and its use for infrastructure operation and maintenance , 2005 .

[2]  Simaan M. AbouRizk,et al.  Unified Modeling Methodology for Construction Simulation , 2002 .

[3]  Mike Williams,et al.  Graphical Simulation for Project Planning: 4D-Planner T M , 1996 .

[4]  Sheryl Staub-French,et al.  A generic feature-driven activity-based cost estimation process , 2003, Adv. Eng. Informatics.

[5]  Thomas Olofsson,et al.  Using virtual reality in a large-scale industry project , 2006, J. Inf. Technol. Constr..

[6]  John Smallwood,et al.  THE POTENTIAL OF 4D CAD AS A TOOL FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT , 2004 .

[7]  Godfried Augenbroe,et al.  Simulation for better building design , 2004 .

[8]  A. Greve,et al.  DIFFUSION OF TECHNOLOGY: COHESION OR STRUCTURAL EQUIVALENCE? , 1995 .

[9]  Yimin Zhu,et al.  Applying metadata models to unstructured content of construction documents: A view-based approach , 2007 .

[10]  R. Yin.  Case Study Research: Design and Methods , 1984 .

[11]  Burcu Akinci,et al.  Formalization and Automation of Time-Space Conflict Analysis , 2002 .

[12]  Jennifer Whyte,et al.  Innovation and users: virtual reality in the construction sector , 2003 .

[13]  Bonsang Koo,et al.  Feasibility study of 4D CAD in commercial construction , 2002 .

[14]  Awad S. Hanna,et al.  Impact of Change Orders on Small Labor-Intensive Projects , 2004 .

[15]  Edward J. Jaselskis,et al.  Improving transportation projects using laser scanning , 2005 .

[16]  Tianzhen Hong,et al.  Building simulation: an overview of developments and information sources , 2000 .

[17]  Raymond E. Levitt,et al.  Innovation Alignment and Project Network Dynamics: An Integrative Model for Change , 2007 .

[18]  Rogier Jongeling,et al.  A method for planning of work-flow by combined use of location-based scheduling and 4D CAD , 2007 .

[19]  Sai On Cheung,et al.  An automated partnering monitoring system—Partnering Temperature Index , 2003 .

[20]  Soon-Wook Kwon,et al.  Fitting range data to primitives for rapid local 3D modeling using sparse range point clouds , 2004 .

[21]  Khaled El-Rayes,et al.  Change Orders Impact on Labor Productivity , 2005 .

[22]  K. Eisenhardt.  Building theories from case study research , 1989, STUDI ORGANIZZATIVI.

[23]  Timothy Shaw,et al.  Using immersive virtual environments to develop and visualize construction schedules for advanced nuclear power plants , 2003 .

[24]  Martin Fischer,et al.  Supporting the constructability review with 3D/4D models , 2007 .

[25]  Ghassan Aouad,et al.  Computer integrated construction: an approach to requirements engineering , 2005 .

[26]  E. William East,et al.  The virtual design review , 1999 .

[27]  Kwok-wing Chau,et al.  Four-dimensional visualization of construction scheduling and site utilization , 2004 .

[28]  Eul-Bum Lee,et al.  State-of-Practice Technologies on Accelerated Urban Highway Rehabilitation: I-15 California Experience , 2007 .

[29]  Ghang Lee,et al.  Parametric 3D modeling in building construction with examples from precast concrete , 2004 .

[30]  James D. Thompson.  Organizations in Action: Social Science Bases of Administrative Theory , 1967 .

[31]  Joseph Andrew Clarke,et al.  Integrating CFD and building simulation , 2002 .

[32]  Burcu Akinci,et al.  A formalism for utilization of sensor systems and integrated project models for active construction quality control , 2006 .

[33]  Sai On Cheung,et al.  PPMS: a Web-based construction Project Performance Monitoring System , 2004 .

[34]  Christian Koch,et al.  Negotiating visualizations in briefing and design , 2007 .

[35]  Edward J. Jaselskis,et al.  Approaches to Improving the Quality of Construction Drawings from Owner's Perspective , 2006 .

[36]  Burcu Akinci,et al.  Representing Work Spaces Generically in Construction Method Models , 2002 .

[37]  John J. Farbarik.  Discussion of “Quantitative Definition of Projects Impacted by Change Orders” by Awad S. Hanna, Richard Camlic, Pehr A. Peterson, and Erik V. Nordheim , 2004 .

[38]  David Heesom,et al.  Trends of 4D CAD applications for construction planning , 2004 .

[39]  Jennifer Whyte,et al.  Virtual Reality and the Built Environment , 2003, Presence: Teleoperators & Virtual Environments.

[40]  T. Olofsson,et al.  A method for planning of workflow by combined use of location-based scheduling and 4 D CAD , 2006 .

[41]  Yuanbin Song,et al.  Modeling of Functional Construction Requirements for Constructability Analysis , 2006 .

[42]  Ghassan Aouad,et al.  Requirements engineering for innovative integrated ICT systems for the construction industry , 2005 .

[43]  Peter Barrett,et al.  Construction Management Pull for 4D CAD , 2000 .

[44]  Xiangyu Wang,et al.  Compatibility issues in Augmented Reality systems for AEC: An experimental prototype study , 2006 .

[45]  Mahmoud R. Halfawy,et al.  Building Integrated Architecture/Engineering/Construction Systems Using Smart Objects: Methodology and Implementation , 2005 .

[46]  Lars-Erik Gadde,et al.  The construction industry as a loosely coupled system: implications for productivity and innovation , 2002 .

[47]  Nm Bouchlaghem,et al.  From CAD to virtual reality: standards, data exchange and interactive 3D building design tools , 2000 .

[48]  Phillip S. Dunston,et al.  Potential of augmented reality as an assistant viewer for computer-aided drawing , 2006 .

[49]  B. Hobbs,et al.  Governance Regimes for Large Complex Projects , 2005 .

[50]  Roger Miller,et al.  The Strategic Management of Large Engineering Projects: Shaping Institutions, Risks, and Governance , 2001 .

[51]  George Ossman.  Discussion of “Quantitative Definition of Projects Impacted by Change Orders” by Awad S. Hanna, Richard Camlic, Pehr A. Peterson, and Erik V. Nordheim , 2004 .

[52]  John E. Taylor,et al.  Antecedents of Successful Three-Dimensional Computer-Aided Design Implementation in Design and Construction Networks , 2007 .

[53]  V. Bazjanac.  Early lessons from deployment of IFC compatible software , 2002 .

[54]  Thomas Froese.  Models of Construction Process Information , 1995 .

[55]  Lucio Soibelman,et al.  Construction site image retrieval based on material cluster recognition , 2006, Adv. Eng. Informatics.

[56]  Carl T. Haas,et al.  3D Image Segmentation of Aggregates from Laser Profiling , 2003 .

[57]  Xiangyu Wang,et al.  Mixed Reality-Based Visualization Interfaces for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industry , 2005 .

[58]  Martin Fischer,et al.  An Ontology for Relating Features with Activities to Calculate Costs , 2003 .

[59]  Panagiotis Mitropoulos,et al.  Forces driving adoption of new information technologies , 2000 .

[60]  Martin Fischer,et al.  Automated Generation of Work Spaces Required by Construction Activities , 2002 .