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Time has always been an important factor of any construction project since

the dawn of civilization. In 1910 Henry Laurence Gantt developed the first bars

charts commonly referred to as gantt charts in modern construction scheduling

terminology. ( Architectural Evangelist) Critical Path Method or CPM schedul-

ing was introduced to the world in the mid 1950s and the first version of CPM

construction scheduling software called Primavera was developed in 1983. So

what is the next significant innovation in the evolution of construction sched-

uling? 4D BIM (Building Information Modeling) provides a visual 3D CAD design

that is integrated with the CPM construction schedule; the 4th dimension oftime is added to the model. The end result is a virtual construction simulation

that can provide detailed insight that was never before possible.

Sir John Egan released his Rethinking Construction report in 1998 where he at-

t t d th t t t h i d i i l f th i d t i h

4D BIM: The Evolution of Construction SchedulingApril 18, 2011

Knowing how to correct

estimate activity duratiocombined with multipl

reasonability checks, can

create an effective constr

tion oversight tool that c

significantly improve pro

performance.

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2www.precisionscheduling.com

2011 Precision Scheduling Consultants. All Rights Reserved.

www.precisionscheduling.com

2011 Precision Scheduling Consultants. All Rights Reserved.

The Building Information Model (BIM) provides a dynamic multi-dimensional view of the construction project

that can contain an almost limitless amount of information of the project and components of the project. As

defined by the National BIM standard, a BIM is the digital representation of the physical and functional charac-

teristics of a facility. As such, it serves as a shared, collaborative information resource for a facility from inception

outward. (Lutton 5) Through the integration of BIM and construction scheduling, we now have the ability to

apply the concept of 4D scheduling and visually communicate the project plan with relation to the timeline to

the project team before the project is constructed.

The Gantt chart has been the visua l display of choice for virtually all construction schedules for over a century.

Gantt charts provide bars along a timeline that represent durations of activities defined in the construction

schedule. ( Architectural Evangelist) The display of Gantt charts provides the basic purpose of constructionschedule; although, visualization of the activities and sequencing could only be done in the minds of the project

team members. Visualization accounts for up to 80% of what people perceive; 4D BIM maximizes the power of

visual communicating the construction schedule. Gant charts alone can be too detailed or complicated to ef-

fectively communicate to the project team in a reasonable amount of time. 4D BIM dramatically enhances the

usefulness of Gantt charts by providing a quick visual picture of what is going to occur and when. (4D BIM)

By linking the CPM construction

schedule to the BIM, the project

controls capabilities are improved

by providing a visual picture of

where the project should be at any

given point in time which is invalu-

able to construction schedule over-sight. The critical path activities

can be flagged and or highlighted

within the model so project manag-

ers know where to focus their re-

sources.

Through the continued develop-

ment and progressive elaboration of

BIM, new uses and applications have

emerged; although, the CPM construction schedule integration has not yet reached its full potential. There are

other components of the construction schedule that have not been added to BIM. Only through consolidated

efforts between designers and scheduling experts, will the full potential of 4D BIM be realized. Compared to

other industries, the construction industry is slower to adapt to technological advancement. The acceptanceand implementation of this relatively new tool combined with expert judgment from various team members will

ensure that the project team has the best project plan conceivable. The construction schedule literally comes to

life and effectively communicates the project plan which will gi ve the project a higher chance o f success.

Resources:

1) 4D BIM Modeling: Improve Cost, Scheduling and Coordination of Building Project. Architectural Evangelist 12 01 2010: n. pag. Web. 11 A

www.architecturalevangelist.com/building-information-modeling/4d-bim-modeling-improve-cost-scheduling-and-coordination-of-b

html>.

2) 4D BIM. Wikipedia. 2010. Web. .

3) Egan, John. Rethinking Construction. synchroltd.com. N.p., 04 Apr 1998. Web. 11 Apr 2011. .

4) Lutton, Nicholas. BIM: Helping the Air Force better design, construct, and manage assets. Center Views . 17.2 (2011): 5. Print.

Figure 2: Synchroltd.com. Web. 9 Apr 2011.

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