Viewpoint: BIM 4D for Construction Scheduling Has Created Wonders in the AEC Industry

With the advent of advanced technological tools in the field of construction things have drastically changed! It has made the process of designing a building more effective, technically flawless, less time consuming, and more cost-efficient. This is the BIM revolution.

And now with 4D Simulation and Construction Planning—also known as 4D BIM—becoming a norm, architects, engineers, and builders are now completely exploring further areas for benefit.

One of the biggest benefits of BIM 4D Modeling is that it allows various people associated with the construction—right from architects, designers, and contractors to the owners—to get a clearer and more visual representation of the entire process through a series of simulated events.  The phases of progress of construction activities throughout the lifetime of the project can hence be observed and analyzed.

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With an increase in the BIM-centric approach towards project management, techniques have resulted into a high potential for improvement in the management and timely delivery of project, irrespective of its size or complexity.

Since things are now done in tight deadlines, scheduling has become a must. BIM scheduling combines a number of factors and quantities based on location, flow-line, on-site production control, along with communication. This is an extremely dynamic and powerful process. Let’s take a look at things in more detail to understand them and their benefits.

Qualities by Location

Qualities by location helps one to segregate the site into small and more manageable areas per trade. This divided area strategy leads to clean and uninterrupted processes, eventually making the crew more productive. Also, it leads to a safe site environment which is always of importance.

The operator can define multiple location systems for trade-specific work sequences. These locations are further used to perform location-based quantity takeoff that is the input for location-based expense as well as schedule planning.

Flow-Line Scheduling

This scheduling method revolves around continuous work flow for trades and works closely with locations. This method has a scientific origin in the BIM model geometry for the quantities, along with locations and productivity rates of the crew. Utilizing this flow-line theory, Schedule Planner enhances the construction schedule by at least 10 percent.

On-Site Production Control

It is all about on-site tasks rather than the usual desk job. This method helps in calculating an optimal construction schedule as well as managing the project on-site. Determining the work put in place by location and measuring up actuals to planned helps in seeing the potential conflicts much in advance. This helps the team to work together as well as solve the scheduling conflict and prevent cascading delays.

Communication

Much in the similar manner to 3D BIM—4D BIM makes scheduling easy for the audience (Owners, trades, teams) to visualize how the building will look like. It is a robust playback of the scientifically-derived Flow-line schedule built on quantities by location along with crew productivity rates.

About the Author

Bhushan Avsatthi is a senior manager, consultant, BIM expert and a green building advisor with more than 15 years of industry experience. Bhushan imbibes the prophecy of efficient and prudent use of energy in his day-to-day life and advises his team to do so as well. He is also involved in green initiatives like nonprofit tree plantation project and promotes using bicycles for commuting small distances. Bhushan, handles a team of architects, structural and MEP engineers, LEED consultants, and energy modeling experts.