Feasibility Analysis on the Use of NLP-Based Schedule Analytics for 4D Project Planning and Controls
Publication: Computing in Civil Engineering 2023
ABSTRACT
4D (3D + time) building information modeling (BIM) brings important benefits to the practice of project planning and controls in construction. Despite well-documented benefits, the level of technical effort necessary to create 4D BIM by manually tying in BIM elements with schedule activities has been a significant barrier to its wider adoption. To address it, this paper explores the possibility of identifying <object, location, responsible party, means&method> in each schedule activity based on ASTM’s Uniformat classification and then automatically mapping it to the most relevant BIM elements in its corresponding work location. Specifically, the feasibility of training a transformer-based natural language processing model to infer Uniformat classification of a schedule activity is explored. Results from testing the proposed model on four real-word project schedules show the potential for a path forward toward automated 4D BIM creation. Insights from the performance of this model and a path forward for model improvements are discussed.
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Information
Published In
Computing in Civil Engineering 2023
Pages: 42 - 50
History
Published online: Jan 25, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Analysis (by type)
- Architectural engineering
- Building information modeling
- Building management
- Buildings
- Business management
- Construction engineering
- Construction management
- Engineering fundamentals
- Feasibility studies
- Management methods
- Methodology (by type)
- Models (by type)
- Practice and Profession
- Project management
- Research methods (by type)
- Scheduling
- Structural engineering
- Structures (by type)
- Three-dimensional analysis
- Three-dimensional models
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