BIM Schedule Management Model

Visual representations aid communication amongst project staff and facilitate decision making, and, when implemented well, they can provide the project team with clear and fast feedback. Currently, there is much commercial BIM software to provide the 4D simulation for construction management. Tekla, for example, provides BIM value beyond design to virtual construction and project time simulation. Autodesk Navisworks functions to simulate construction schedules and logistics in 4D to visually communicate and analyze project activities. Vico software provides 3D model elements connected to tasks for 4D simulation. However, this software mainly provides users with the 4D simulation functionality. If the general contractor wants to utilize the commerce BIM software for the application of as-built schedule management, most 4D simulation

23

functionality is incapable of meeting the requirement of updating the as-built schedule management in practice.

Fig. 9 shows the concept of the traditional as-built schedule network. Usually, schedule network is utilized currently for as-built schedule management. Furthermore, onsite engineer need to update the as-built schedule at the jobsite during the construction phase (see Fig. 10).

Figure 9. Concept of the traditional as-built schedule network

Figure 10. Concept diagram of the traditional as-planned and as-built schedule As-built

Schedule

As-plan Schedule Traditional Schedule

As-built Schedule

Schedule network

As-plan Schedule

As-built Schedule Engineer

Onsite Engineers

Update

24

The primary advantages of the BIM-based as-built schedule are as follows: (1) it provides a BIM-assisted illustration for sharing the updated as-built schedule in the web environment; (2) it provides project managers and engineers with the ability to track color-assisted statuses of all virtual as-built schedule processes during the construction phase of a project; and (3) it gives project engineers the ability to respond to the updated or feedback content using the BIM approach in practice.

The proposed schedule management model with BIM-assisted visualization allows all project engineers to access the most recent visual as-built schedule using the BIM model. Furthermore, the updated as-built schedule can also be shared with marked information related to changes (see Fig. 11).

Figure 11. The concept of the schedule management using BIM model

The main contribution of the study is to explore the experience of tracking and managing BIM-assisted as-built scheduling during the construction phase (see Fig. 12).

In the beginning, new as-built schedule is identified and updated for approving by onsite BIM

Schedule Management

Location

As-built Schedule

Component Visual illustration

As-plan Schedule

Relationship Network

BIM model

Integration

25

engineers. After the updated as-built schedule is approved, approved as-built can be published and tracked for future use.

Figure 12. The concept of schedule management integrated with BIM model

The study proposes a new innovative multi-field updated approach to the as-built schedule to enhance its management, which in turn allows engineers to update multiple as-built records of each activity or task in the field at various times (see Fig. 13). The main purpose is for engineers to build upon the previous updated content for each activity or task. This multi-field updated as-built schedule approach allows engineers to track past and present progress of the as-built schedule content. When onsite engineers also select a traditional single field for as-built updates, they need not use a multi-field progress update system.

Approve As-built Schedule

Integration of SM and BIM Update As-built Schedule

Track As-built Schedule Publish As-built Schedule

Identify As-built Schedule

26

Figure 13. The multi-field updated approach for the as-built schedule management

The 3D markup-enabled schedule models can be defined as a 3D CAD graphic representation of as-built schedule activities linking relationships between CAD objects and attributes of schedule models. The BIM approach retains as-built schedule information in a digital format, facilitating easy updating and transfer of activities in the 3D CAD environment. The as-built schedule information with 3D BIM approach can be identified, tracked, and managed virtually during construction projects. The most recent as-built schedule status and comments can be acquired from onsite engineers and then shared and illustrated by way of the 3D BIM model for better understanding and communication.

The 3D markup-enabled schedule models, which are defined in multiple objects, are constructed from variables that can be decomposed into CAD component units and cam store the status of the as-built activity schedule. The 3D markup-enabled schedule models allow users to access information from the as-built schedule stored in layers based on the

27

attributes and type of the as-built schedule. As-built schedule information stored in components of the 3D markup-enabled schedule model includes both the status of the as-built schedule and comments. As-as-built activity schedule status includes the as-as-built schedule, comments of the built schedule, descriptions of problems regarding the as-built schedule, or related attachments (e.g., documents, reports, drawings, and photos).

Additionally, the 3D markup-enabled schedule models allow users to review the as-built schedule with the BIM model to enhance effectiveness of visual communication. The 3D markup-enabled schedule model is associated with the as-built schedule, locations, and comments on activities.

In order to explain the flowchart for the as-built schedule with BIM model, the study proposes the flowchart of the procedure of the as-built schedule with BIM model (see Fig.

14). Table 2 illustrates the description of use of color for BIM models for as-built schedule.

The use of color for BIM models for as-built schedule is summarized and proposed based on the interview and discussion of BIM experts and onsite engineers. Furthermore, the use of color will be changed and applied based on different purposes and situations. In order to enhance as-built schedule alarm purpose, another color model is proposed for the as-built schedule alarm (see Table 3).

28

Update the as-built activity schedule Submit for

Approving

Publish the updated as-built schedule linked

with BIM model Yes

Update the component schedule

of BIM model

End Yes

No

Start

Activities linked with BIM model?

Activities linked with the component of

BIM model No

Figure 14. A flowchart of the as-built schedule management with BIM model

29

Table 2. The description of color use for BIM models for as-built schedule Color of Status Usage Description

Pink Color To index schedule regarding to no start status Yellow Color To index schedule regarding to under construction

status

Blue Color To index schedule regarding to completion status

Table 3. The description of color use for BIM models for as-built schedule alarm Color of Status Usage Description

Red Color To index schedule regarding to delay status

The above two types of color use will be different and applied based on different purposes and situations.

The example of grille installation activity uses three colors to illustrate different schedule statuses (no start status, under construction status, and completion status) (see Figure 15). Furthermore, another example regarding the whole project schedule uses three colors to illustrate no start, under construction, and completion schedule statuses (see Figure 16).

30

No start status Completion status

Under construction status

Installation of gratings

65%

Figure 15. The sample illustration of as-built updating schedule integrated with BIM model (1/2)

Figure 16. The sample illustration of as-built updating schedule integrated with BIM model (2/2)

No start status

Under construction status

Completion status

31 Delay status (Red)

Figure 17 illustrate the sample of as-built updating schedule integrated with BIM for alarm use. Furthermore, another alarm example regarding the whole project schedule uses red color to illustrate delay status (see Figure 18).

Figure 17. The alarm sample illustration of as-built updating schedule integrated with BIM model (1/2)

Figure 18. The alarm sample illustration of as-built updating schedule integrated with BIM model (2/2)

Installation of gratings

Delay status (Red)

32