4D-based Value Engineering

Value engineering (VE) frequently is applied to construction projects for better project scope recognition and for elimination of unnecessary cost without affecting the functional requirements of individual components of constructed facilities. A critical phase in the application of value engineering is the evaluation of generated alternatives based on the defined criteria for that purpose. Limited work has been carried out for the automation of this process yet without adequate visualization for the components being considered. This paper presents an automated model for design professionals, owners, and members of VE teams to evaluate and compare different design alternatives of project components using multiattributed criteria, as well as integrating that model with visualization capabilities to assist designers and stakeholders in making related decisions. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to develop a multiattributed decision support model for evaluating competing alternatives. The model is then integrated with BIM to provide visualization capabilities and assist in cost estimating of the project components being considered. A prototype model that integrates the project BIMwith RS Means cost data and AHP has been developed. The model has been applied to a case project and evaluates and ranks generated alternatives in its output report.