impact of 4d modeling on construction planning process - Chalmers ...

utilization <strong>of</strong> 4D <strong>modeling</strong>. With the use <strong>of</strong> 4D <strong>modeling</strong>, the sequence <strong>of</strong> the
activities in the work plan and their <strong>impact</strong> on each other can be simulated to check
the authenticity <strong>of</strong> the schedule and to enhance the planning process to utilize
minimum resources in the construction phase with maximum benefits and in
minimum time. This leads to cost and time saving like in the large complex project in
case study 4. While Gantt chart is unable to present the relationship and the <strong>impact</strong>
activities have on each other.
By using the traditional methods <strong>of</strong> planning like Gantt charts and CPM scheduling, it
is very easy to miss some activities in the construction plan due to lack <strong>of</strong>
visualization. Whereas, 4D <strong>modeling</strong> provide a very effective tool to visualize the
building project and identify all the possible construction activities leading to an
accurate and detailed work plan. 4D <strong>modeling</strong> also assist the planners in allocating
resources, 4D <strong>modeling</strong> assisted the managers to allocate resources in the National
Stadium for Beijing Olympic as mentioned in case study 6, which is not possible with
CPM scheduling as it presumes that resources are unlimited for constructing the job.
4.1.1.3 Efficient planning
Efficient construction planning plays an important role in leading the project to its
success. By reviewing the case studies it is quite prominent that 4D <strong>modeling</strong> enables
the planners and project teams to achieve a very effective and efficient planning <strong>of</strong>
construction works. As observed in case study 1, the field productivity was increased
by 20 to 33% and also the amount <strong>of</strong> rework reduced significantly. There was only 43
hours <strong>of</strong> rework out <strong>of</strong> 25,000 working hours which is not possible to manage if
traditional 2D planning methods were employed. Similarly, in case study 5, 4D group
restructured the Lego pieces only 20 times in comparison to 25 times by 2D group
which used 2D drawings and bar chart schedule. The rework was also reduced for the
cultural center project in case study 9 by the implementation <strong>of</strong> 4D planning and
hence, there were human effort and cost savings. In Beijing Stadium project, the
installation duration was shortened by 16% and in case study 5 as well, the 4D group
managed to achieve 100% project completion as compared to 80% completion by the
2D group within prescribed time implying that productivity has increased due to the
implementation <strong>of</strong> 4D planning.
Furthermore, the reliability <strong>of</strong> planning was significantly enhanced by adopting 4D
<strong>modeling</strong> as compare to planning by traditional methods. This reliability degree was
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