A Case Study of Applying Virtual Prototyping in Construction
The use of 3D computer-aided design (CAD) models
to support construction project planning has been increasing in the
previous year. 3D CAD models reveal more planning ideas by
visually showing the construction site environment in different stages
of the construction process. Using 3D CAD models together with
scheduling software to prepare construction plan can identify errors
in process sequence and spatial arrangement, which is vital to the
success of a construction project. A number of 4D (3D plus time)
CAD tools has been developed and utilized in different construction
projects due to the awareness of their importance. Virtual prototyping
extends the idea of 4D CAD by integrating more features for
simulating real construction process. Virtual prototyping originates
from the manufacturing industry where production of products such
as cars and airplanes are virtually simulated in computer before they
are built in the factory. Virtual prototyping integrates 3D CAD,
simulation engine, analysis tools (like structural analysis and
collision detection), and knowledgebase to streamline the whole
product design and production process. In this paper, we present the
application of a virtual prototyping software which has been used in
a few construction projects in Hong Kong to support construction
project planning. Specifically, the paper presents an implementation
of virtual prototyping in a residential building project in Hong Kong.
The applicability, difficulties and benefits of construction virtual
prototyping are examined based on this project.
[1] Waly, A.F. and Thabet, W.Y. (2002), A Virtual Construction
Environment for preconstruction planning, Automation in Construction,
12, pp.139-154.
[2] Jaafari, A., Manivong, K.K. and Chaaya, M. (2001), VIRCON:
Interactive System for Teaching Construction Management" Journal of
Construction Engineering and Management, 127, pp. 66-75.
[3] Koo, B., and Fischer, M. (2000), Feasibility Study of 4D CAD in
Commercial Construction, Journal of Construction Engineering and
Management, 126(4), pp.251-260.
[4] Goldberg, H.E. (2004), Is BIM the future for AEC design? AEC From
the Ground Up: The Building Information Model.
http://aec.cadalyst.com/aec/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=133495
[5] Jim, B. (2004), Digital Manufacturing - The PLM Approach to Better
Manufacturing Processes.
http://www.aberdeen.com/c/report/tech_clarity/Digital_Manufacturing.p
df
[6] McKinney, K., and Fischer, M. (1997), 4D analysis of temporary
support, Proceedings of 1997 4th Congress on Computing in Civil
Engineering, ASCE, New York, 470-476.
[7] Shen, Q., Gausemeier, J., Bauch, J., and Radkowski, R. (2005), A
cooperative virtual prototyping system for mechatronic solution
elements based assembly, Advanced Engineering Informatics, 19,
pp.169-177.
[8] Xiang, W., Fok, S.C., and Thimm, G. (2004), Agent-based composable
simulation for virtual prototyping of fluid power system, Computers in
Industry, 54, pp.237-251.
[9] Pratt, M.J. (1995), Virtual prototyping and product models in mechanical
engineering, Virtual prototyping- virtual environments and the product
design process. London: Chapman and Hall; 1995; p.113-128.
[10] Choi, S.H., and Chan, A.M.M. (2004), A virtual prototyping system for
rapid product development, Computer-Aided Design, 36, pp.401-412.
[11] Kunz, J. and Fischer M. (2005), Virtual Design and Construction:
Themes, Case Studies and Implementation Suggestions, CIFE Working
Paper #097,
http://www.stanford.edu/group/CIFE/Publications/index.html
[12] Yerrapathruni, S., Messner, J.I., Baratta, A.J., and Horman, M.J. (2005),
Using 4D CAD and Immersive Virtual Environments to Improve
Construction Planning, CIC Technical Reports in Penn State #45,
http://www.engr.psu.edu/ae/cic/publications/TechReports/TR_045_Yerr
apathruni_2003_Using_4D_CAD_and_Immersive_Virtual_Environment
s.pdf
[1] Waly, A.F. and Thabet, W.Y. (2002), A Virtual Construction
Environment for preconstruction planning, Automation in Construction,
12, pp.139-154.
[2] Jaafari, A., Manivong, K.K. and Chaaya, M. (2001), VIRCON:
Interactive System for Teaching Construction Management" Journal of
Construction Engineering and Management, 127, pp. 66-75.
[3] Koo, B., and Fischer, M. (2000), Feasibility Study of 4D CAD in
Commercial Construction, Journal of Construction Engineering and
Management, 126(4), pp.251-260.
[4] Goldberg, H.E. (2004), Is BIM the future for AEC design? AEC From
the Ground Up: The Building Information Model.
http://aec.cadalyst.com/aec/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=133495
[5] Jim, B. (2004), Digital Manufacturing - The PLM Approach to Better
Manufacturing Processes.
http://www.aberdeen.com/c/report/tech_clarity/Digital_Manufacturing.p
df
[6] McKinney, K., and Fischer, M. (1997), 4D analysis of temporary
support, Proceedings of 1997 4th Congress on Computing in Civil
Engineering, ASCE, New York, 470-476.
[7] Shen, Q., Gausemeier, J., Bauch, J., and Radkowski, R. (2005), A
cooperative virtual prototyping system for mechatronic solution
elements based assembly, Advanced Engineering Informatics, 19,
pp.169-177.
[8] Xiang, W., Fok, S.C., and Thimm, G. (2004), Agent-based composable
simulation for virtual prototyping of fluid power system, Computers in
Industry, 54, pp.237-251.
[9] Pratt, M.J. (1995), Virtual prototyping and product models in mechanical
engineering, Virtual prototyping- virtual environments and the product
design process. London: Chapman and Hall; 1995; p.113-128.
[10] Choi, S.H., and Chan, A.M.M. (2004), A virtual prototyping system for
rapid product development, Computer-Aided Design, 36, pp.401-412.
[11] Kunz, J. and Fischer M. (2005), Virtual Design and Construction:
Themes, Case Studies and Implementation Suggestions, CIFE Working
Paper #097,
http://www.stanford.edu/group/CIFE/Publications/index.html
[12] Yerrapathruni, S., Messner, J.I., Baratta, A.J., and Horman, M.J. (2005),
Using 4D CAD and Immersive Virtual Environments to Improve
Construction Planning, CIC Technical Reports in Penn State #45,
http://www.engr.psu.edu/ae/cic/publications/TechReports/TR_045_Yerr
apathruni_2003_Using_4D_CAD_and_Immersive_Virtual_Environment
s.pdf
@article{"International Journal of Architectural, Civil and Construction Sciences:59861", author = "Stephen C. W. Kong", title = "A Case Study of Applying Virtual Prototyping in Construction", abstract = "The use of 3D computer-aided design (CAD) models
to support construction project planning has been increasing in the
previous year. 3D CAD models reveal more planning ideas by
visually showing the construction site environment in different stages
of the construction process. Using 3D CAD models together with
scheduling software to prepare construction plan can identify errors
in process sequence and spatial arrangement, which is vital to the
success of a construction project. A number of 4D (3D plus time)
CAD tools has been developed and utilized in different construction
projects due to the awareness of their importance. Virtual prototyping
extends the idea of 4D CAD by integrating more features for
simulating real construction process. Virtual prototyping originates
from the manufacturing industry where production of products such
as cars and airplanes are virtually simulated in computer before they
are built in the factory. Virtual prototyping integrates 3D CAD,
simulation engine, analysis tools (like structural analysis and
collision detection), and knowledgebase to streamline the whole
product design and production process. In this paper, we present the
application of a virtual prototyping software which has been used in
a few construction projects in Hong Kong to support construction
project planning. Specifically, the paper presents an implementation
of virtual prototyping in a residential building project in Hong Kong.
The applicability, difficulties and benefits of construction virtual
prototyping are examined based on this project.", keywords = "construction project planning, prefabrication,simulation, virtual prototyping.", volume = "4", number = "5", pages = "111-6", }