Construction Perspective of Computer-Aided Design Tools

Collaborative AEC technologies centering around component-based CAD models support architectural and structural perspectives. The construction perspective is often neglected because an important dimension for construction—time—is missing. Construction planners are forced to abstract CAD model building components into schedule models representing time. 4D-CAD (3D-CAD + time) removes this abstraction by linking a 3D building model and schedule model through associative relationships. Adding time to 3D-CAD models extends the use of CAD tools from the design phase to the construction phase. This paper discusses requirements for CAD tools to support construction planning and evaluation.