According to Rich Humphrey, VP for Construction at Bentley Systems, 4D BIM is at a tipping point. It’s still not an everyday practice, but is becoming so, and most major construction companies have a virtual design and construction department where BIM is often started in offices. He says that organisations are now not just using 4D BIM during the planning stage but taking that multi-dimensional model through to the construction and execution phase.
Simulation
A 4D model allows planners and construction staff to visualise the construction sequencing, including staging (for example, cranes, material storage, and site access), according to Bentley System. The Coca Cola Arena project and the Mohammed bin Rashid Library project by ASGC utilised 4D Construction planning and scheduling using Bentley System’s Synchro pro. With this, they were able to integrate P6 schedule tasks, logic, durations, and timeframes with the related elements in the 3D model to provide an accurate representation as outlined in the schedule. Additionally, the team was able to monitor critical RFI’s from 4D modelling and report to the relevant sub-contractors, and as-built 4D models were also provided for facility management for the two projects.