4D Visualization

Wednesday 12-17-08
11:55 am
48 degrees
cloudy

My first attempt to create a 4D model - and it has no connection to the site observation from previous posts. The 4D model is a tool for visualizing construction. It takes schedule data and parametric graphical data and links them to create an animated sequence of construction. It does not include formwork, labor, equipment of material handling, but it does a fair job or showing the overall process.

This model was created (for a school assignment) with Autodesk Revit and 3DViz, Microsoft Project, and Bentley CommonPoint. The Revit model was exported to Viz, the Viz model as well as the MS Project schedule was exported to CommonPoint. In Commonpoint, the structure was linked to the schedule and an animation was generated and captured.The graphic conversion is not perfect due in part to my limited experience with the programs. I was surprised to learn how much has to occur as a prerequisite for this visualizaton to take place. More to follow.

The visualization is exciting, but rather limited. The graphics did not import properly (probably my experience though), and orientation in the program was a little difficult. Other than that, the visualization occurs immediately. As soon as a work item is linked to a schedule item there is intelligence. I wonder though if the cross-platform conversions are to blame for the graphic errors.

Please feel free to comment. Cheers.

Site Visit 12-01-08

12-01-08
7:58 am (8:20 am Snow)
32 degrees
overcast (muddy soil conditions)

Cold, slight wind, and muddy conditions. To the east, a small lift has gotten stuck in the mud. Also to the east, Stone Masons begin protecting both sides of wall in progress. At the south-west of the site 3 flat-beds have been parked next to a crane and one is making a delivery. All hold a single piece of cast-stone, about 30' long, for the facade. The crane is a an LS-248H (http://www.linkbelt.com/lit/products/ls/248h5/frame_248h5.htm), its not in use. Several workers are waiting for the final delivery to be complete and several drums are offloaded (I assume they contain the anchor bolts).

Click to link to the Site Visit 120108 Web album.

Masons at the north east begin to protect the wall and mortar mixing areas. The wall is protected with plastic, sand is dumped in to a bin and covered, and the workers move off the raising scaffold platform. To the east, masons work to protect the wall in progress with a plastic wrapping on both sides of the wall. Below is a view looking north showing the wall being protected, the steam piping at the east gymnasium wall, and the lift in the lower right hand corner which is stuck in the mud.

Once the snow came, work on the exterior of the building came to a holt. All exterior work more-or-less stopped once it was protected and all interior work proceeded. On the interior of the building pipe fitters continued to install water supply piping, electricians installed junstion boxes at the underside of the gymnasium roof, and carpenters were framing the gymnasium west metal stud wall.

Inside I took the above photo of a mechanical contractars set of plans. (I worked for an architect who used to mark up the documents in the same way to check for errors).

Below is a video of the weather conditions at 8:20 as seen from the second floor.

It had been raining the last couple of days and the perforated corrugated metal decking of the roof made conditions inside wet. With the cold some areas could become somewhat dangerous. Once the snow started I headed down the scaffold from the second floor and noticed the opening for the future window was letting in a snow (which was blowing in from the south) that was landing on the steps of the scaffold. In the future this opening should be covered with plastic to keep the rain and snow off of the scaffold.