Title:

Design and Modeling in the Fourth Dimension
Dr. Martin Fischer
Stanford University
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Abstract:

Four-dimensional CAD modeling (3D plus time) has the potential to completely change the way facilities are designed and built. Combining the 3D perspective of the designer with the temporal view of the builder, the technology is used to represent the information required in the life cycle of engineered facilities. The models generate realistic visualizations of the facility design and its changes over time, and allow computer-based analysis of constructibility, cost, productivity, and other project performance variables dependent on an integrated analysis of time and space. Early test cases have amply demonstrated that 4D models can help to enhance schedule, cost, quality and safety, with potential benefits in the billions of dollars annually for the global construction sector alone.

Unfortunately, the difficulty and cost of creating and using such models is currently blocking their widespread adoption. Full 4D models are very time-consuming to generate manually and cannot currently share their representations with analysis programs. To support analysis, 4D models must represent time explicitly and cannot consist of a simple sequence of 3D model views. Since each construction project is a unique combination of thousands of components, relatively little theoretical and computational support exists for concurrent engineering and 4D modeling.

Professor Fischer's research addresses these issues by formalizing a general, computer-interpretable construction planning vocabulary and by defining and using customizable software agents that translate a 3D model into a 4D model. Using the vocabulary, the agents transfer construction knowledge to activities in the project schedule so that the activities know when to create themselves, how to calculate their durations, how to relate themselves to other activities and design components, and how to get the resources they need. Professor Fischer plans to discuss his vision of how this research can unlock the potential of 4D modeling to enhance the facility development process. He also hopes to generate feedback, not only about his software design research, but about the potential for 4D CAD to impact product design and manufacturing.