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Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering / Volume 22 / Issue 3 / TECHNICAL PAPERS

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Linear Scheduling and 4D Visualization

J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 22, 192 (2008); http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3801(2008)22:3(192) (14 pages)

Sheryl Staub-French1, Alan Russell2, and Ngoc Tran3

1Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of British Columbia, 6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver BC, Canada V6T 1Z4. E-mail: ssf@civil.ubc.ca
2Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of British Columbia, and Chair, Computer Integrated Design and Construction, 6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver BC, Canada V6T 1Z4. E-mail: adr@civil.ubc.ca
3Research Assistant, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of British Columbia, 6250 Applied Science Lane, Vancouver BC, Canada V6T 1Z4. E-mail: ngoctran@civil.ubc.ca

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(Submitted 30 April 2007; accepted 17 August 2007)

Described in this paper is a novel approach to four-dimensional (4D) computer-aided design (CAD). It involves a two-way symbiotic relationship between three-dimensional (3D) CAD software and a software implementation of linear planning that includes the ability to define a project product model and associate it with the process model. Strengths of the approach include the ability to readily modify construction sequences and examine their consequences using 4D CAD, and the ability to treat very large scale projects marked by significant repetition of their components. By building on a shared image of the project product model from both a design and construction perspective, the CAD model can be structured in a way that facilitates communication with the scheduling software and vice versa. Various challenges involved in making the 2-way process work are described, including consistency of product representation in the CAD and scheduling models, and the need to group CAD components at different levels of detail and locations to reflect the kinds of aggregation found in schedule representations of a project. The benefits of the approach include the ease with which different scheduling strategies can be explored and visualized, the links between 3D objects and activities can be maintained, and the completeness of the product model representations can be validated. A case study is used to illustrate the approach adopted and the challenges involved.

© 2008 ASCE

Article Outline

  1. Introduction
  2. Case Study
  3. Systems Used
  4. Approach for Integrating 3D/4D and Linear Planning
    1. Step 1: Formulation of Product and Process Views in REPCON and Coordination with CAD
      1. Inputs and Outputs
      2. Processes
      3. Constraints
      4. Challenges
    2. Step 2: Formulation of 3D Model in ADT
      1. Inputs and Outputs
      2. Processes
      3. Constraints
      4. Challenges
    3. Step 3: Create Integrated CAD-PCBS Model
      1. Inputs and Outputs
      2. Processes
        1. Select the Style and Attribute Aggregation Method.
        2. Group Objects by Styles at Individual Locations.
        3. Link PCBS Components and CAD Styles at Specific Locations.
        4. Assign Aggregated Attribute Values to REPCON.
      3. Challenges
    4. Step 4: Create 4D Snapshots
      1. Inputs and Outputs
      2. Processes
        1. Import Time Contour.
        2. Identify “Finished” Objects in ADT.
        3. Create Table of Filtered CAD Objects.
        4. Import Table in VBA Application.
        5. Make Finished Objects Visible.
        6. Challenges
  5. Critique
    1. Benefits
      1. 4D Snapshots in Conjunction with Linear Planning Charts Provide Increased Insight into the Workability of a Scheduling Strategy
      2. Quantities Can Be Automatically Calculated from the CAD Model and Aggregated across Components and Locations
      3. Links between CAD Objects and Activities Can Be Maintained More Easily
      4. Product Models Can Be Checked for Completeness and Consistency
    2. Limitations
      1. Programming in Visual Basic Has Limited Functionality
      2. Our Application Is Built on a Specific CAD Application
      3. Work in Progress Is Not Shown in the 4D Snapshots
      4. Degree of Automation Is Limited
  6. Conclusions

KEYWORDS

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ARTICLE DATA

Digital Object Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3801(2008)22:3(192)

PUBLICATION DATA

ISSN

0887-3801 (print)  
1943-5487 (online)

Publisher

ASCE

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