Adding construction workspaces modeling and planning to a 4D BIM-based Simulation Model

As building information modeling (BIM) systems continue to be widely adopted, there is an increasing demand for an active construction management systems with more advanced and effective decision-making capabilities. Moreover, BIM-based Fourdimensional (4D) model, which links three-dimensional geometrical models with construction schedule data, emphasizes the construction components’ progress concluding in an object-oriented simulation. Have been demonstrated that this kind of approach is not consistent for improving construction safety and productivity. The presented work is a first step in order to develop a BIM-based design process overturning the object-oriented simulation in an activity-oriented simulation. The association of work zones, site facilities, site areas, site machineries and material procurement to each building components and sizing each of them from a BIM-based quantity take-off are identified as the key components for a successful site planning. Nevertheless the existence, the dimension and the location of site areas can be varied across the construction stages. Without proper planning, unnecessary facility relocations may be required in each construction stages, resulting in a higher construction cost and longer construction time due to need to dismantle and set up site facilities. In this perspective site layout plans should be optimized using a multi-stage model within a BIM Environment to avoid unnecessary changes for improving site efficiency. This is carried out including a modeling workflow in order to pair all the activities which requires the same site areas, site facilities and so forth. A case study using the proposed method for the case of a Renovation in complex site condition is given.