TECHNICAL PAPERS
Jul 15, 2004

Four-Dimensional Visualization of Construction Scheduling and Site Utilization

Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 130, Issue 4

Abstract

Four-dimensional (4D) models link three-dimensional geometrical models with construction schedule data. The visual link between the schedule and construction site conditions is capable of facilitating decision making during both the planning and construction stages. The emphases of these 4D developments have often been placed at the level of construction components. Practical features assisting site management are at times lacking in the following areas: (1) generation of site usage layouts; (2) estimation of quantities of construction materials; and (3) cost evaluation. In order to pinpoint these deficiencies, the objective of this work is to enable visual study of the effects of job progress on the logistics and resource schedules. This paper presents a 4D visualization model that is intended both to help construction managers plan day-to-day activities more efficiently in a broader and more practical site management context and to thereby add to our knowledge and understanding of the relevance of modern computer graphics to the responsibilities of the construction site manager. A brief site trial of the software is described at the conclusion of the paper.

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References

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Go to Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 130Issue 4August 2004
Pages: 598 - 606

History

Received: Aug 21, 2002
Accepted: May 29, 2003
Published online: Jul 15, 2004
Published in print: Aug 2004

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Authors

Affiliations

K. W. Chau
Dept. of Civil and Structural Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic Univ., Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
M. Anson
Dept. of Civil and Structural Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic Univ., Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
J. P. Zhang
Dept. of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua Univ., Beijing, People’s Republic of China.

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