Kang, H-Y (2001) Web-based four-dimensional visualization for constuction scheduling. PhD thesis, Texas A&M University, USA.
Abstract
This research investigated whether Web-based 4D visualization would expedite the collaborative decision-making process by making more explicit the detection of logical errors in the construction schedule. Four-dimensional Computer Aided Design (4D CAD) is being considered as a good tool for understanding the construction schedule. However, current 4D CAD prevents the user from interactively updating the 4D CAD model. Therefore, revision of the model requires an extensive time commitment that cannot be easily reduced. The multiple steps and time required to modify and distribute the 4D CAD model may reduce the desirability of 4D CAD in typical projects. Current Internet technology provides interactive three-dimensional (3D) graphics on the Web and the ability to manipulate a database over the Internet. In this research, Web-based 4D visualization software was developed to update the construction schedule and show the revised construction sequence visually on the Web browser using 3D computer graphics. An experiment was designed using Web-based 4D visualization software. The experiment was conducted with students studying construction management or civil engineering at Texas A&M University. One group used 4D visualization on the Web while the other group used the 2D drawing on the Web. Analysis of the experimental results compares the performance of the two groups using different graphic representation to detect logical errors in the construction schedule. The results demonstrated that the 4D visualization group detected more logical errors, made fewer mistakes, detected logical errors faster, and communicated less frequently than the 2D drawing groups. A qualitative survey that was administrated immediately after the experiment demonstrated that 89% of students thought 4D visualization helped them understand the construction schedule better, and 91% of students thought 4D visualization helped them communicate better with their partner. The research produced empirical evidence that Web-based 4D visualization may be superior to 2D in supporting collaborative decision-making in construction scheduling. It is hoped that Web-based 4D visualization software developed for this research will encourage professionals to use 4D models in actual construction projects. Use of Web-based 4D visualization could lead to more accurate schedules, shorter schedules, and reduced cost in the construction industry.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Anderson, S D and Clayton, M J |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction project; civil engineering; scheduling; visualization; civil engineer; professional; experiment |
| Index terms: | construction scheduling, database, decision-making process, 4D visualization, internet, construction industry, computer graphic, scheduling, survey, experiment, civil engineer, drawing, commitment, computer aided design, evidence, decision-making, construction project, visualization |
| Subjects: | design practice, production management, decision analysis, project controls, data management, industry analysis, data collection methods, computational design, evaluation and assessment methods, profession, computing systems, computer hardware, technical documentation, visualization, operations research, psychology |
| Topics: | Risk Management, Project Management, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Organizational Design, Time Control, Design Practice, Digital Applications |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here