Analyzing the Level of Detail of Construction Schedule for Enabling Site Logistics Planning (SLP) in the Building Information Modeling (BIM) Environment

Abstract

As Building Information Modeling (BIM) becomes the predominant technology in the construction industry, contractors, amongst other activities, need to conduct Site Logistics Planning (SLP) in the BIM environment during different project phases. 4D BIM modelling is an important step towards developing BIM models ready for the construction execution phase. However, in developing such models, currently no standard exist which would guide contractors towards a thorough analyses of site logistics. Moreover, there is a scarcity of studies and research on level of detail of construction schedules, which makes SLP hard to implement in a BIM environment. We addressed this problem by employing a case-study method for understanding how 4D BIM models should be designed to enable effective SLP and dynamic site layout creation. The results show that the following input data for SLP in the BIM environment is needed: hierarchically structured 3D BIM model, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), detail schedule, resources constraints, and defined onsite temporary facilities. Additionally, we have found that the activities should be further divided into work operations to enable SLP. Our results enable contractors to create a dynamic site layout according to the BIM principles. Moreover, the findings are an initial step for the further standardization of the BIM model for the SLP in the BIM environment.