Hightlight
What are the uses of 4D BIM?
Here are some uses of 4D BIM: Visualizing construction sequences, improved project planning, identifying scheduling clashes, enhancing collaboration, risk management and safety, cost and time efficiency, progress tracking, and better decision-making.
What are the disadvantages of 4D BIM?
Implementing 4D BIM requires significant investment in software, which can be a barrier for smaller companies. Additionally, it can be challenging to ensure the integration of accurate scheduling data with the 3D model. It also requires a well-trained team, meaning more time and resources need to be dedicated to staff training and expertise development.
What is the application of 4D BIM?
Applications of 4D BIM are particularly valuable in complex projects, like infrastructure development, commercial buildings, and large-scale residential projects, where timing and coordination across multiple phases are essential to project success.
The 4D BIM is not a new term in the construction industry. This 4D model helps project teams to visualize construction sequences by adding time-related data to 3D models. Moving towards 4D BIM means a more collaborative and data-driven approach to construction. This means it tackles the usual issues like inefficiencies, cost overruns, and safety concerns.
Now, we’re going to talk about 4D BIM in more detail below. Let’s get started.
What is 4D BIM, why is it important?
4D BIM services brings time into the mix as the fourth dimension, building on the usual 3D BIM model. This extra dimension gives us a whole new level of insight into construction projects.
As Dr. Stephen Hamil says in the NBS article “BIM Dimensions – 3D, 4D, 5D, 6D BIM explained,” 4D BIM is all about adding scheduling info to model construction sequences. This lets the project team see how the construction will be sequenced.
This is a big step up from 3D BIM, which just shows a geometric representation in three axes (X, Y, and Z).
The main difference between 3D and 4D BIM is the integration of scheduling data.
While 3D BIM gives you all the technical details about the project, 4D BIM adds the time element. So you can see how the construction work will happen in a sequence.
This helps you manage tasks and understand dependencies, making the construction process clearer and more efficient.
But why is this so important? Just think, you could spot a scheduling clash before you even get to the site. 4D BIM lets you do just that. Linking the BIM model with the project schedule lets you run through the construction sequence, spot potential bottlenecks, and make the whole process more efficient.
This means, with 4D BIM you can work more efficiently, spend less money, and get everyone involved in the project on the same page.
It’s also interesting to note how today’s BIM technology has gone beyond just adding a fourth dimension. BIM has added a fifth dimension to its workflow. The fifth dimension of BIM is a variable cost.
If you want to know more about the fifth dimension of BIM, you can read “What is 5D BIM? Definition, Features, Benefits, & Applications in Construction.”
Benefits of 4D BIM
There are so many benefits to 4D BIM, and they’re pretty much endless.
In “Breaking Down the Barriers to 4D Adoption”, Matthew Osment shows how 4D BIM leads to “better planning, which delivers significant improvements in safety, time, cost, waste, and collaboration.”
This is made possible by better communication, more effective risk management, and more accurate progress tracking.
For example, if you can see the construction sequence, you can spot and deal with potential safety issues early on.
This proactive approach not only makes the site safer but also reduces the likelihood of costly rework.
In addition, one of 4D BIM benefits is how it makes it easier for everyone involved, from architects and engineers to contractors and clients, to communicate with each other.
It’s easy to see where we are with the project and what’s going on, which helps us make better decisions.
In fact, we had a special article about the advantages of 4D BIM. So, if you’re interested in learning more about the overall benefits of BIM, kindly read “Why Use BIM: 7 Benefits for AEC Industry.”
4D BIM Workflow
The 4D BIM workflow is a multi-stage process where you integrate 3D BIM models with project schedules to create a dynamic simulation of the construction process.
Here are the complete 4D BIM workflows:
- 3D BIM Model Development
- Project Schedule Integration
- 4D Simulation and Analysis
- Validation and Optimization
Let’s break down each of these steps.
Step 1: 3D BIM Model Development
We start off by putting together a comprehensive 3D BIM model. The model should include all the details about the building’s design, components, and materials.
It’s really important to get this right, as the accuracy and level of detail in the 3D model directly impact the effectiveness of the 4D simulation.
At this stage, it’d be best to stick to Australian standards, like the ones set out by NATSPEC.
Step 2: Project Schedule Integration
Next, we’ll be integrating the 3D BIM model with the project schedule. This 4d bim planning and schedule is usually put together using software like Microsoft Project or Primavera P6.
It outlines the project’s tasks, how long they’ll take, and which tasks they depend on. This links each part of the 3D model to a specific activity in the schedule.
Step 3: 4D Simulation and Analysis
Once the model and schedule are linked, you can generate a 4D simulation. This simulation shows the construction sequence in a visual format, step-by-step, so you can see how the building will be constructed.
This visualization lets project teams spot potential problems, like clashes over space between different trades or scheduling issues that could cause delays.
Step 4: Validation and Optimization
Next, we check whether the 4D simulation meets the project requirements and constraints. This might mean checking the simulation with different people involved in the project, like architects, engineers and contractors, to make sure it’s right and can be done.
Once we’ve got this feedback, we can tweak the project schedule to make it more efficient, cut costs and reduce risks.
How 4D BIM can improve a construction project?
If you want to get 4D BIM up and running on your AEC projects, you’ll need to work together. Make sure you’ve got the right data, and get experienced professionals involved.
Osment says the success of 4D BIM adoption hinges on three elements: technology, content, and people.
When it comes to technology, software tools like Autodesk Navisworks, Bentley Synchro, and 3D Repo make it easy to integrate scheduling data with 3D models.
Next up is content. A reliable 4D BIM model is built on accurate and comprehensive data. This includes things like detailed scheduling, cost data and safety information.
But technology and data only work if the people using them know how to use them.
So, we need to get the right people involved from the start, including planners, engineers, safety managers, and on-site teams. So that the 4D BIM model accurately reflects what’s going on on the ground.
James Bowles, founder of Freeform & Chair of the 4D Construction Group, in “Breaking Down the Barriers to 4D Adoption,” stresses the importance of involving site teams in the 4D BIM process.
Their hands-on experience helps to make the model even better, by spotting practical problems that you might not see from just looking at the technical side of things.
With this kind of workflow, we can see one good example of 4D BIM in Australia; the Barangaroo Ferry Hub project in Sydney.
The project team used 4D BIM to plan and coordinate the complex construction sequence. Which involved putting together large prefabricated concrete elements.
The 4D model helped us spot potential issues between different trades, get the materials delivery schedule just right, and make sure the project stayed on track.
Another great example is shown by Osment in the white paper; a UK infrastructure project with lots of different people involved. They used 4D BIM to coordinate a lot of different activities over 24 months.
By getting the site team involved from the start, they managed to avoid schedule clashes, improve safety outcomes, and reduce waste by 18%.
We can also look at how 4D BIM fits in with future trends like green building practices. That’s why you can read “BIM and the Future of Green Building: Make Money with Sustainability,” to get a feel for how the 4D BIM model fits in with green building projects.
How to Adopt a 4D BIM Model Quickly?
One of the main issues with adopting 4D BIM is a lack of in-house resources or expertise. Building a dedicated team is also time-consuming and requires a significant investment in training and technology.
That’s why we at Interscale offer a full range of BIM management services, including 4D BIM services. We can help with everything from checking the model and spotting issues to 4D and 5D planning.
Have a look at our Interscale BIM Management support page, read our case studies, and see how we’ve helped other AEC companies overcome their challenges. We’d also love to catch up – maybe over a coffee and a croissant? Let’s talk about the BIM issues you’ve been facing and see how we can help you resolve them.
In Closing
Please remember that 4D BIM is not just about the tech, it’s about the people and the processes too. So, create an environment where everyone can share information freely and all stakeholders can get involved in the 4D BIM process.
That’s why Interscale is ready to be your go-to support system for 4D BIM adoption.
