Characterizing Collaborative 4D Use Contexts to Improve Interaction Mechanisms Design

This article proposes a metamodel to describe the use context of collaborative 4D modeling in Architecture, Engineering and Construction. While interaction with three-dimensional models has been extensively discussed in the literature, the interaction principles with the fourth dimension are much less treated. It is indeed a challenging issue according to the characteristics of the construction industry. The proposed metamodel is a preliminary step toward the proposal of adapted and/or innovative visualization and interaction mechanisms in collaborative 4D tools. It allows a good understanding of the collaborative 4D simulation activity and the identification of the main variables to consider from a high level point of view.