Solving Critical Lifts Utilizing 3D Modeling Software

The acceptance of utilizing three-dimensional (3D) modeling programs for planning purposes in the heavy civil construction industry is on the rise. The ability to play out all possible construction process scenarios in a virtual world rather than in reality and to remove conflicts prior to the start of the work is a priceless construction planning tool. This paper explains the successful use of a 3D modeling program to plan and execute a critical lift on the Moses Wheeler Bridge project located in Connecticut. The critical lift examined here consisted of four drop-in girders. Specifically, 3D modeling was used to examine the placement of these four girders by two cranes positioned on each side of the river channel. During the planning stage, a virtual construction site was created in a commercial 3D modeling program utilizing contract plans and actual as-built survey data. Over a period of 3 days, four girder lines were erected safely and ahead of the planned project schedule. Besides the schedule gains, the project benefited from decreases in engineering costs and possible construction quality-related issues that might arise during a traditional analysis.