BIM- and 4D-based integrated solution of analysis and management for conflicts and structural safety problems during construction: 2. Development and site trials

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Abstract

In order to achieve the information-based integrated construction management, e.g., time-dependent structures analysis, schedule/resource/cost conflict analysis as well as dynamic collision detection amongst site facilities and main structure elements, an integrated archetypal system named 4D-GCPSU 2009 is developed. Through 3 project examples, it is verified that the integrated solution is able to assist construction managers or owners in the aspects of analysis and management for process conflict and structural safety problems during construction. The application outcome of the system is accepted and praised by users as they considered that the system functions and analysis results provide significant reference support to the approval and revision of construction proposals, increase efficiency and safety concerning building construction. They also point out some difficulties in practice. As for those difficulties mentioned, a series of solutions plus further development orientation are put forth.

Introduction

The accident rate of building industry and the numbers of accidents and deaths remain high. Researchers and construction managers have made efforts to improve workers' safety and health. Some related system are developed and applied to construction cases [1], [2]. These researches mainly focused on quality of personnel, safety awareness, enforcement of safety regulations, and Environmental- and site-condition-related issues etc. [3]. However, it has become a consensus that more attentions should be paid to structural safety itself [4], [5], and conflicts due to inappropriate construction management [6]. In this regard, Building Information Model (BIM) and four-dimensional (4D) technology can be accepted as implementation skills for research trials. For instance, with regard to BIM, existing literatures provided some new ideas, e.g., BIM was used as a link between manufacturing process and construction objects [7], a construction virtual prototyping to integrate design and construction [8], etc. As for 4D technology, a number of commercial systems were applied to construction projects. VTT [9] summarized that several 4D applications can manage analysis during construction such as work-flow, cost, resources, design, and collision and so on. Nevertheless, these researches limited applications in construction optimization rather than safety analysis and management.

In a companion paper [10], the BIM- and 4D-based theories and key technologies for the integration of dynamic safety analysis of time-dependent structures, conflict analysis and management of schedule/resource/cost, and dynamic collision detection of site facilities are studied, in order to provide a new rational analysis and management tool for process conflict and structural safety problems during construction. This paper firstly illustrates development of the system in detail, and then by three real project applications, the feasibility and effectiveness of the system are verified, and utilization experiences, as well as future directions and potentials are discussed.

Section snippets

Development of 4D-GCPSU 2009

This section primarily focuses on the entire design proposal of the integrated archetypal system named 4D-GCPSU 2009, including demand analysis of system design, function design, entire framework design, database and program design etc. in detail.

Site trials

In this section, three real construction projects are used to testified the methodologies and the system.

Utilization experience

The 4D technology itself is able to benefit construction management, including good communication among site personnel, swift identification of potential sequence errors and clashes, flexible reflection of design and work sequences changes, etc. Based upon such technology, this research focused on how to manage construction conflict and structural safety problems in a detailed and profound means, and developed an integrated software platform that was relatively easy to operate. Managers on site

Future directions and potentials of the prototype system

This research is the initial exploration and attempt of introducing 4D technology into the time-dependent structural safety analysis. In the near future, we will look further into the latest theories of time-dependent structural analysis with a view to obtain more precise analysis results. It includes three aspects. 1) Some adjustments like selecting different element types, exercising certain treatment upon nodes and implementing more harsh control over the mechanical behaviors of reinforced

Conclusions

Based upon the methodologies and principles set forth in the reference [10], the paper begins with system design of 4D-GCPSU 2009, and then justifies the benefits of the system through three examples. Specifically, in the case of the National Stadium, implementing time-dependent structural analysis upon the concrete frame structure offers essential references for construction proposal review and modification. It also guarantees mechanic performances of stresses and displacements etc. involving

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the National Technological Support Program for the 11th Five-Year Plan of China (2007BAF23B02).

References (15)

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