Aranda-Mena, G; Sher, W; Gameson, R and Ward, P (2005) Evolving trends in nD modelling: The 'construction planning workbench'. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 1(2), pp. 111-126. ISSN 1745-2007
Abstract
This paper investigates the requirements of product modelling in the construction industry. Product models incorporate multifaceted aspects of design information (required at each stage of the lifecycle of buildings) by integrating additional information (such as time, costs, etc.) into a three-dimensional (3D) computer model, thereby adding intelligence to it. The project also investigates methodologies for automatically linking construction processes with 3D CAD models to allow users to visualize and simulate construction methodologies. Our study adopts a qualitative approach where semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 key design and construction professionals from two major Australian companies. Data were coded in relation to six main clusters—themes and summaries of results are presented as repertory grids. The paper identifies some of the risks and opportunities of implementing nD modelling in the construction industry. Analysis of data indicates a shift to 3D CAD, with a strong interest being identified for integration of CAD and construction programming. Although the use of product models is not presently seen as feasible for this purpose, the increasing use of 3D CAD is seen as positive. Results indicate a need for alignment models and user-friendly technologies if product models are to assist communication between clients, consultants and construction companies.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | industry foundation classes; nd modelling; product modelling; qualitative data analysis |
| Index terms: | construction industry, modelling, construction planning, industry foundation classes, methodology, construction process, integration, lifecycle, programming, design and construction, qualitative approach, construction company, interview, nD modelling, data analysis, product model |
| Subjects: | modelling and simulation, data analysis and analytics, contractual arrangements, construction planning, analytical methods, project delivery, computational design, data collection methods, organization, programming, organizational analysis, building construction, industry analysis, research methods, digital design |
| Topics: | Project Management, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Business Strategy, Procurement, Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Site Management |
| 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