A Visualized Schedule Analysis for Seawall Closure Gap Using BIM Technology: A Case Study from Yangtze Estuary

Cofferdam closing is a key construction process of seawall building projects, analysis based on the fact that tidal level will be practical, and a visualized schedule will help participants communicate easily. This study demonstrates the application of building information modeling (BIM) technology supporting the cofferdam closing schedule analysis. The approach is unique in its ability to forecast the real-time tidal level of the planned construction period and to analyze hydraulic characteristics of the closure process. A combination of BIM technology, including plug-in secondary development and 3D model visualization based on Autodesk Revit, is proposed to distinguish the most dangerous gap condition, and to visually analyze the feasibility of the construction schedule and solutions. The case study of a Yangtze estuary seawall shows that the feasibility and effectiveness of the visualized schedule analysis approach and reveals that it is more conducive for engineers to make reasonable plans and schemes.