Methodology for Voxel-Based Earthwork Modeling
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 147, Issue 10
Abstract
Building information modeling (BIM) can facilitate effective three-dimensional (3D) earthwork modeling by furnishing insightful information. An earthwork area is generally represented in a cell-based environment for planning purposes such as allocation plans or equipment plans. However, previous studies utilized conventional methods, which are tedious and time-consuming, to create cell-based representations. Therefore, a method that can be applied to automatically represent earthwork BIM models in a cell-based environment should be developed. To address that research gap, this paper proposes a novel method to develop voxel-based representations of earthwork models. The voxel-based method is parametric, and the size, number, and properties of the voxels can be easily varied. This method, validated for accuracy, rapidly creates a parametric voxel model linked with geotechnical information necessary for earthwork operations. A visual programming tool, Grasshopper, is used to develop an algorithm that can automatically divide the earthwork model into voxels. Finally, experiments are conducted to validate the proposed method using an actual earthwork BIM design. The paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge by proposing a voxel-based earthwork representation and algorithm that automatically create a cell-based 3D environment that is flexible enough to integrate geotechnical parameters. The results indicate that the proposed method will help project engineers, planners, and managers create an optimal-size voxel-based earthwork model with customized geotechnical information.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code generated or used during the study are proprietary or confidential in nature and may only be provided with restriction. The available items are data models used in the case studies with the restriction of the algorithm generated.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (NRF-2019R1A2C2006577) and a Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement (KAIA) grant funded by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (National Research for Smart Construction Technology: Grant 20SMIP-A158708-01).
References
Akinci, B., M. Fischer, and J. Kunz. 2002. “Automated generation of work spaces required by construction activities.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 128 (4): 306–315. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2002)128:4(306).
Cai, L., F. Jiang, W. Zhou, and K. Li. 2018. “Design and application of an attractiveness index for urban hotspots based on GPS trajectory data.” IEEE Access 6 (Sep): 55976–55985. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2018.2869434.
Castellazzi, G., A. M. D’Altri, G. Bitelli, I. Selvaggi, and A. Lambertini. 2015. “From laser scanning to finite element analysis of complex buildings by using a semi-automatic procedure.” Sensors (Switzerland) 15 (8): 18360–18380. https://doi.org/10.3390/s150818360.
Cheng, J., and L. Jiang. 2013. “Accuracy comparison of roadway earthwork computation between 3D and 2D methods.” Procedia Soc. Behav. Sci. 96 (Nov): 1277–1285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.08.145.
Choi, B., H. S. Lee, M. Park, Y. K. Cho, and H. Kim. 2014. “Framework for work-space planning using four-dimensional BIM in construction projects.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 140 (9): 04014041. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000885.
Dawood, N., R. Chavada, C. Benghi, and R. Sanches. 2010. “Interactive visual lean system for resource planning of earthwork operations.” In Proc., 18th Ann. Conf. of the Int’l. Group for Lean Construction, 652–661. Trondheim, Norway: International Group for Lean Construction.
Dong, Z., W. Chen, H. Bao, H. Zhang, and Q. Peng. 2004. “Real-time voxelization for complex polygonal models.” In Proc., 12th Pacific Conf. on Computer Graphics and Applications, 2004. PG 2004, 43–50. New York: IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/PCCGA.2004.1348333.
Hinks, T., H. Carr, L. Truong-Hong, and D. F. Laefer. 2013. “Point cloud data conversion into solid models via point-based voxelization.” J. Surv. Eng. 139 (2): 72–83. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)SU.1943-5428.0000097.
Jakobsen, L. S., J. Lodewijks, P. N. Gade, and E. Kjems. 2018. “Visualizing earthwork and information on a linear infrastructure project using BIM 4D.” In eWork and eBusiness in architecture, engineering and construction, 177–183. London: CRC Press.
Jrade, A., and N. Markiz. 2012. “A decision-support model utilizing a linear cost optimization approach for heavy equipment selection.” In Proc., Construction Research Congress 2012: Construction Challenges in a Flat World, 100–109. Reston, VA: ASCE. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784412329.011.
Khan, N., A. K. Ali, M. J. Skibniewski, D. Y. Lee, and C. Park. 2019. “Excavation safety modeling approach using BIM and VPL.” Adv. Civ. Eng. 2019: 15. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1515808.
Kim, J., H. Kim, W. A. Tanoli, and J. Seo. 2019. “3D earthwork BIM design and its application in an advanced construction equipment operation.” Archit. Eng. 4 (2): 22–26. https://doi.org/10.23968/2500-0055-2019-4-2-22-26.
Kim, S. K., and J. S. Russell. 2003a. “Framework for an intelligent earthwork system: Part I. System architecture.” Autom. Constr. 12 (1): 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0926-5805(02)00034-1.
Kim, S.-K., and J. S. Russell. 2003b. “Framework for an intelligent earthwork system: Part II. Task identification/scheduling and resource allocation methodology.” Autom. Constr. 12 (1): 15–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0926-5805(02)00033-X.
Kim, S.-K., J. Seo, and J. S. Russell. 2012. “Intelligent navigation strategies for an automated earthwork system.” Autom. Constr. 21 (1): 132–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2011.05.021.
Lee, H. C., H. S. Gwak, J. Seo, and D. E. Lee. 2018. “Eco-economic excavator configuration method.” Autom. Constr. 86 (Jul): 138–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2017.11.006.
Lee, S. S., K. T. Kim, W. A. Tanoli, and J. W. Seo. 2020. “Flexible 3D model partitioning system for nD-based BIM implementation of alignment-based civil infrastructure.” J. Manage. Eng. 36 (1): 04019037. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000725.
Min, K., C. Park, H. Yang, and G. Yun. 2018. “Legorization from silhouette-fitted voxelization.” KSII Trans. Internet Inf. Syst. 12 (6): 2782–2805. https://doi.org/10.3837/tiis.2018.06.019.
Nourian, P., R. Gonçalves, S. Zlatanova, K. A. Ohori, and A. Vu Vo. 2016. “Voxelization algorithms for geospatial applications: Computational methods for voxelating spatial datasets of 3D city models containing 3D surface, curve and point data models.” MethodsX 3: 69–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2016.01.001.
Park, M., Y. Yang, H.-S. Lee, S. Han, and S. Ji. 2012. “Floor-level construction material layout planning model considering actual travel path.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 138 (7): 905–915. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000493.
Parsakho, A., S. Ataollah Hosseini, H. Jalilvand, and M. Lotfalian. 2008. “Physical soil properties and slope treatments effects on hydraulic excavator productivity for forest road construction.” Pakistan J. Biol. Sci. 11 (11): 1422–1428. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2008.1422.1428.
Pradhananga, N., and J. Teizer. 2014. “Congestion analysis for construction site layout planning using real-time data and cell-based simulation model.” In Computing in civil and building engineering, 681–688. Reston, VA: ASCE.
Pradhananga, N., and J. Teizer. 2015. “Cell-based construction site simulation model for earthmoving operations using real-time equipment location data.” Vis. Eng. Visualization Eng. 3 (1): 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40327-015-0025-3.
Raza, H., W. Tanoli, S. Lee, and J. Seo. 2017. “Flexible earthwork BIM module framework for road project.” In Proc., Int. Symp. on Automation and Robotics in Construction: ISARC 2017, 410–415. Oulu, Finland: International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction. https://doi.org/10.22260/ISARC2017/0056.
Seo, J., C. T. Haas, K. Saidi, and S. V. Sreenivasan. 2000. “Graphical control interface for construction and maintenance equipment.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 126 (3): 210–218. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2000)126:3(210).
Seo, J., S. Lee, J. Kim, and S. K. Kim. 2011. “Task planner design for an automated excavation system.” Autom. Constr. 20 (7): 954–966. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2011.03.013.
Shah, R. K., and N. Dawood. 2011. “An innovative approach for generation of a time location plan in road construction projects.” Constr. Manage. Econ. 29 (5): 435–448. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446193.2011.563785.
Shah, R. K., N. Dawood, and S. Castro. 2008. “Automatic generation of progress profiles for earthwork operations using 4D visualisation model.” Electron. J. Inf. Technol. Constr. 13: 491–506.
Shapira, A. 1993. “Octree subdivision of building elements.” J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 7 (4): 439–457. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0887-3801(1993)7:4(439).
Shirowzhan, S., S. M. E. Sepasgozar, H. Li, and J. Trinder. 2018. “Spatial compactness metrics and constrained Voxel automata development for analyzing 3D densification and applying to point clouds: A synthetic review.” Autom. Constr. 96 (Dec): 236–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2018.09.018.
Solihin, W. 2015. A simplified BIM data representation using a relational database schema for an efficient rule checking system and its associated rule checking language. Atlanta: Georgia Institute of Technology.
Stolte, N., and A. Kaufman. 2001. “Novel techniques for robust voxelization and visualization of implicit surfaces.” Graph. Models. 63 (6): 387–412. https://doi.org/10.1006/gmod.2001.0559.
Sun, X., Q. Li, and B. Yang. 2018. “Compositional structure recognition of 3D building models through volumetric analysis.” IEEE Access 6: 33953–33968. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2018.2842721.
Tanoli, W. A., J. W. Seo, A. Sharafat, and S. S. Lee. 2018. “3D design modeling application in machine guidance system for earthwork operations.” KSCE J. Civ. Eng. 22 (12): 4779–4790. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-018-0309-y.
Truong-Hong, L., D. F. Laefer, T. Hinks, and H. Carr. 2012. “Flying voxel method with Delaunay triangulation criterion for façade/feature detection for computation.” J. Comput. Civ. Eng. 26 (6): 691–707. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CP.1943-5487.0000188.
Vaha, P. K., A. J. Koivo, and M. J. Skibniewski. 2017. “Excavator dynamics and effect of soil on digging.” In Proc., 8th Int. Symp. Automation Robotics Construction, 297–306. Oulu, Finland: International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction. https://doi.org/10.22260/isarc1991/0030.
Wang, Q., Z. Guo, K. Mintah, Q. Li, T. Mei, and P. Li. 2019. “Cell-based transport path obstruction detection approach for 4D BIM construction planning.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 145 (3): 04018141. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001583.
Wang, Q., W. Zuo, Z. Guo, Q. Li, T. Mei, and S. Qiao. 2020. “BIM voxelization method supporting cell-based creation of a path-planning environment.” J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 146 (7): 04020080. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001864.
Yuan, W., and M. Schneider. 2010. “Supporting 3D route planning in indoor space based on the LEGO representation.” In Proc., 2nd ACM SIGSPATIAL Int. Workshop Indoor Spatial Awareness ISA 2010, 16–23. https://doi.org/10.1145/1865885.1865890.
Zhang, C., A. Hammad, T. M. Zayed, G. Wainer, and H. Pang. 2007. “Cell-based representation and analysis of spatial resources in construction simulation.” Autom. Constr. 16 (4): 436–448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2006.07.009.
Zhang, Y., S. Garcia, W. Xu, T. Shao, and Y. Yang. 2018. “Efficient voxelization using projected optimal scanline.” Graph. Models 100 (Nov): 61–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gmod.2017.06.004.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 147 • Issue 10 • October 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 5, 2020
Accepted: Apr 27, 2021
Published online: Jul 19, 2021
Published in print: Oct 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Dec 19, 2021
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- Lingfeng Yu, Earthwork Optimal Allocation Model of Road Engineering Based on BIM Technology, Proceedings of the 2022 2nd International Conference on Control and Intelligent Robotics, 10.1145/3548608.3559231, (406-410), (2022).