Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Automation in Construction
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/autcon

A framework for an automated and integrated project scheduling and

management system
Shih-Ming Chen a, F.H. (Bud) Griffis b, Po-Han Chen c,⁎, Luh-Maan Chang c
a
Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
b
Center for Construction Management Technology, Department of Civil Engineering (Construction), Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
c
Department of Civil Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taiwan

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Construction projects are becoming progressively larger and more complex in terms of physical size and cost.
Accepted 7 April 2013 Building information modeling (BIM) is being regarded as a revolutionary change for managing the entire
Available online 7 May 2013 lifecycle of a construction project. However, the information provided by BIM cannot fulfill the requirements
of on-site project scheduling and management. This paper presents a BIM-based framework with the func-
Keywords:
tion of developing the near-optimum schedule plan according to project objectives and project constraints
Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Project scheduling and management
for project scheduling and management. An automated database management system, a schedule simulation
Database management system system, and a MD (multi-dimensional) CAD model creator provide a reliable platform for the proposed
Schedule simulation system framework. To verify the concept and test the feasibility of this framework, a computer implementation
MD CAD model called NDSM (N-Dimensional project Scheduling and Management system) was developed and implemented
in a construction project.
© 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
The goals of project management are the project being built on
time, safely, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. To
meet these goals, reliable and effective project scheduling and man-
agement play very important roles. Building information modeling
(BIM), which combines information technology with architecture and
construction, is being regarded as a revolutionary change for managing
the construction process from beginning to end. However, the informa-
tion provided by BIM cannot fulfill the requirements of on-site project
scheduling and management. Moreover, the absence of standard for-
mats between architecture and design platforms has been regarded as
an important factor that hinders the implement of BIM-based projects.
Discrete-event simulation (DES) provides a powerful tool to model
and analyze construction processes, including the overall project du-
ration as well as resource utilization, and what-if analyses.
This paper presents a BIM-based framework with DES and data-
base management functions, used to develop the near-optimum
schedule plan according to project objectives and project constraints,
perform risk analyses, predict and survey project status, and activate
database management automatically. An automated data acquisition
and database management system, a schedule simulation system,
and a MD (multi-dimensional) CAD model creator provide a reliable
⁎ Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: sc489@caa.columbia.edu (S.-M. Chen), griffis@poly.edu
(F.H.(B.) Griffis), pohanchen@ntu.edu.tw (P.-H. Chen), luhchang@ntu.edu.tw
(L.-M. Chang).
platform for the proposed framework. To verify the concept and test
the feasibility of this framework, an automated and integrated project
scheduling and management system called NDSM (N-Dimensional
project Scheduling and Management system) was developed and
implemented in a construction project.
2. Background and state of the art
BIM not only provides predictable information with regard to
quantity, cost, schedules, and materials but also makes it possible to
perform data analysis depending on structure and environment [1].
Researches on applying information technologies in the construction
industry are divided into two categories: 4D simulation using 3D
geometry and compatibility support modules using a neutral format
such as industry foundation classes (IFCs).
Research on a 4D simulation has focused on communicating
schedule indications effectively among project members, analyzing
possible time–space conflicts, reducing construction-related conflicts,
and implementation of the dynamic simulation environment for
processes. For example, Dawood et al. [2] proposed the virtual con-
struction site (VIRCON) project to develop a decision support system
for construction planning. Tulke et al. [3] proposed a collaboration
framework that automatically creates a construction schedule and
dynamically simulates cost calculation connecting with the schedule.
Chau et al. [4] developed a 4D site management model (4DSMM) for
construction management. Tulke and Hanff [5] proposed a 4D simula-
tion system that automatically connects geometry information of a
building model with time schedules to plan a construction sequence.

0926-5805/$ – see front matter © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.04.002
90 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110
Migilinskas and Ustinovichius [6] developed a 4D PLM model for pro-
ject management. Wang et al. [7], Dawood, and Mallasi [8,9] studied
the application of 4D CAD technology in the assignment of workspace
and resources. Moreover, the 4D CAD concept has been adopted in
commercial construction planning software, such as CommonPoint
[10] and Synchro [11]. Some software, such as VICO [12], incorporates
cost as the 5th Dimension of project information.
Researches on the compatibility support modules using IFCs have fo-
cused on compatibility or interoperability in terms of IFC data structure
or geometry information, reflecting a design schedule with considering
some attribute information [13–15].
DES affords a powerful tool to model and evaluate construction
sequences. To develop a user-friendly DES tool, some researchers
have built domain-specific simulation programs, e.g. CYCLONE [16]
and ICONS [17]. Subsequently, INSIGHT [18], MicroCYCLONE [19],
DISCO [20], STROBOSCOPE [21] and SIMPHONY [22] further focused
on the improvements of the simulation engine's input interfaces and
output types.
Presently the process of data transfer from design to construction
is undertaken manually and is repeated for most construction func-
tions. That repetition comes from the various construction functions
require different types of data at different levels of detail. However,
this process has many shortcomings. Its major shortcomings are
listed as follows [23–26]:
• It is a potential source of numerous errors.
• These errors are often discovered only after an element has been
erected, causing great additional costs and possible losses due to
rework and schedule overruns.
• The costs of manual data processing are high, since they are payable
to the most expensive employees in the industry—the engineers.
• The manually processed data supplied in different formats to har-
monize with the intended use, is liable to be incompatible because
it was processed by different participants in the process, at different
times, thus causing great communication problems.
• A long time elapses between completion of the preliminary design
and the beginning of on-site construction. The delay is caused by
the design procedures as well as by the data extraction and transfer.
Dissatisfaction with the current practice has yielded the idea
of computer-integrated construction (CIC). Bjork states that the key
factor in CIC is the integration of the different computing applications
involved in the life cycle of a building via automated digital data
transfer between them [27]. Warszawski describes an automated
process, which starts with the owner's request as input and produces
the preliminary and the detailed designs and the construction plan-
ning [28].
Choi and Ibbs surveyed Construction Industry Institute members
to determine trends and current status of computer automation in
design and construction [29]. The report identified the following
areas for improving design and construction operations: integration
of multidiscipline design and drafting, integration between numerical
analysis systems and CAD, and integration of materials management.
Current integrated control systems are plagued by one or more of
the following shortfalls [30,31]:
• Manual data collection/entry.
• The lack of some of the important functions of an integrated project
control system, such as forecasting performance, analyzing variances,
and recommending corrective actions.
• System inflexibility and interoperability issues.
• Difficulties regarding data sharing.
• Program plans and designs are optimized for a limited set of param-
eters in a limited domain.
• Modeling and planning do not effectively take all lifecycle aspects
into account.
This research addresses the aforementioned shortfalls by pro-
posing an effective project management framework in which object
information taken from a 3D CAD model is integrated with a man-
agement system made up of different components and simulation
models. The proposed framework will help project managers to
develop the near-optimum schedule plan according to their project
objectives and project constraints with automated data capturing
from a 3D CAD model, and facilitate project management by enabling
project managers to check project status from an object-oriented
MD CAD model, and perform risk analyses and automated database
management. The framework will help managers to forecast the
performance of a project in any future interim period and provide
complete information on the impacts of unforeseen conditions.
Managers will also obtain updated near-optimum schedule plan,
object-oriented MD CAD model and project database in a timely man-
ner, once the 3D CAD model design, or project resources, or project
objectives, or project constraints change(s). Thus, managers can take
corrective actions immediately after deviations occur and mitigate
potential damage to ongoing projects.
The framework is enhanced with BIM and Fully Integrated and
Automated Project Process (FIAPP) for providing a reliable infrastruc-
ture for the efficient integration of all the components of a project
scheduling and management system. Reducing human errors, in-
creasing efficiency in data transfer, interoperability, reusability, flexi-
bility, and system speedup are some advantages of using BIM and
FIAPP as the infrastructure for the proposed framework. This research
not only deals with integration, but also develops an automated data
acquisition and database management system, a simulation-based
scheduling system, and an object-oriented MD CAD model to con-
struct the whole framework.
3. Tools and concepts utilized for framework development
To provide the reader with a better outlook on the research topic,
a brief review of the concepts, tools, and infrastructure used in de-
veloping the framework is presented in this section.
3.1. Fully Integrated and Automated Project Process (FIAPP) and Building
Information Modeling (BIM)
Fully Integrated and Automated Project Process (FIAPP), now called
Building Information Modeling (BIM), is an emerging technology for
building modeling, collaborative design, and integrated project delivery
[32]. It is an IT-enabled approach that essentially involves creating a
virtual building model, applying and maintaining an integral digital rep-
resentation of all parametrically defined graphical and non-graphical
information for different phases of the project lifecycle.
BIM serves as a shared knowledge resource and allows the de-
signer to create functional relationships between virtual building
model and the other integrated project elements. As any change is
made to the model, all the information related to the building pro-
ject is automatically updated.
At the simplest level, BIM tools enable collaboration between
users through better visual understanding of the building artifact.
However, collaboration is greatly enhanced if the partners can share
their models not only for viewing, but for direct analysis, editing
and development [15].
3.2. Automatic Data Capturing (ADC)
ADC pertains to data input without key-punching or typing. Data
is captured automatically through the use of system without human
involvement. The advantages of ADC, including reducing costs and
improving accuracy, motivate the researchers to make use of it for
real-time data capturing. ADC has been utilized in this research to
capture quantity takeoffs generated from 3D CAD tools, and transfer
 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110 91

the organized quantity takeoffs to scheduling simulation system.
The details of how 3D CAD object information can be employed for
designing project schedule, distributing resources and workspace,
calculating cost, performing risk analyses, and managing construction
projects were described in a companion paper [33].
modeling complex systems have made it a common decision support
tool for project managers in the construction industry [30].
4. Proposed framework for an integrated project scheduling and
management system

3.3. Simulation
Computer simulation is the process of designing a mathematical-
logic model of a real system and experimenting with this model on
a computer [34]. Computer simulation can simulate a construction
process on the operational level by addressing the random nature,
resource-driven characteristics and dynamic interactions during
operation. The capabilities and robustness of simulation in terms of
Good scheduling and management are crucial in construction pro-
jects and can save a considerable amount of time and money. Therefore,
reliable scheduling and management support tools are essential for
project managers to make effective and in-time decisions. This research
proposes an automated and integrated scheduling and management
system that will assist project managers in communication with other
parties involving the same project, executing project scheduling and
management effectively. The research objectives, construction industry

Database
Management
Unorganized Organized
Quantity Takeoff Quantity Takeoff

Database Linkage System

Intelligent
3D CAD Model Scheduling System

3D Objects

Dynamic Database System

Object-Oriented
MDCAD Model
Fig. 1. Main components of the proposed automated and integrated project scheduling and management system.
92 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110
needs, and characteristics of the research domain make up the proposed
conceptual framework.
The proposed framework covers four major components: (1) 3D
CAD model, which is built in 3D CAD software;(2) Intelligent Scheduling
System (ISS), which is a simulation-based scheduling system;(3) Data-
base Linkage System (DLS), which is an automated data acquisition
and database management system;(4) Dynamic Database System
(DDS), which is an object-oriented MD CAD model creator (Fig. 1). As
ISS uses numerical simulation techniques to aid the project managers
perform project scheduling and management, DDS enables project
managers to experience different scenarios in virtual reality with the
supports of object-oriented database and activity database and the
other information, and DLS handles the material quantity takeoffs
used by scheduling simulation system, performs automatic database
managements, and generates each report automatically. The framework
covers all the major elements of a scheduling and management system.
These elements include labor distribution, material distribution, equip-
ment distribution, space distribution, scheduling, cost estimate, produc-
tivity analysis, schedule risk analysis, cost risk analysis, object-oriented
MD CAD model, FIAPP and BIM concepts, and database managements of
labor, material, equipment, space, activity, purchase order, accounting
and cost (Fig. 2). The proposed framework can aid project managers
identify the best solution for occurring or anticipated issues, and detect
deviations in project performance.
The capabilities of FIAPP and BIM make it an effective and authen-
tic foundation for integrating the specified components of this project
scheduling and management system. The proposed framework incor-
porates the concepts of FIAPP and BIM, including several distinct com-
ponents, which collaborate, cooperate, and interact with each other in
real-time. Each component can be developed separately and run at
geographically dispersed locations. These services, which are defined
by the standard of FIAPP and BIM, ensure communication and integra-
tion between the framework components. Real-time communication
among the scheduling simulation component, object-oriented MD
CAD model component, and automatic database management compo-
nent supports dynamic scheduling and management, and detection
of deviations immediately after they occur, therefore assisting in the
Fig. 2. Main functions of the proposed automated and integrated project scheduling and management system.
on-time delivery of resource-and-space redistribution and appropri-
ate corrective actions.
More clear and concise explanation of the different functions
and processes used to communicate the main components of the
proposed framework are illustrated in the next chapter.
5. Framework implementation
In the previous section, the conceptual framework and its compo-
nents were briefly described. The development process of framework
components is based on the Object Oriented Programming concept,
and FIAPP and BIM concept. As the first step, the 3D CAD object
model, including all the essential objects and their attributes, was
developed and the interactions between the 3D CAD object model
and the other components were well-defined. Then, the functions of
the components and sharing methods between the components
were created. The developed components, the other tools and con-
cepts utilized for NDSM development are listed and explained explic-
itly as follows:
5.1. Database Linkage System (DLS)
DLS was developed using MicroSoft Access®. The structure of DLS
is shown as Fig. 3.
5.1.1. Organize quantity takeoffs generated from 3D CAD models
In the proposed framework, the activity duration used in ISS, in-
stead of being set as a constant, is decided by activity quantity and re-
source productivity [33]. The process of generating activity quantity
usually takes a lot of manpower, which requires rework whenever
design is revised and may introduce human errors in the process.
To reduce rework and improve accuracy, the activity quantity is cap-
tured from a 3D CAD model automatically in the proposed framework.
Some major 3D CAD tools allow users to generate quantity takeoffs
from internal function, such as bill of materials, using MicroStation
TriForma®. The quantity takeoffs generated from 3D CAD tools could
not be mapped directly to activities that were created in a project
 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110 93

Fig. 3. Structure of Database Linkage System.

schedule. To build a fully integrated and automated system, DLS was de-
veloped by applying MicroSoft Access® to organize these quantity take-
offs coming from 3D CAD models and secondary database tables for the
additional “non-physical” items of the project that don't exist in the 3D
CAD model, such as painting and carpeting, according to activities.
This process includes setting up a common Key (or ID code) for
the original quantity-takeoff table, secondary database tables, and
activity table which allows the building of one-to-one, one-to-many
and many-to-many relationships between the original quantity take-
offs and the secondary database tables, using these common ID codes.

3D CAD Model

Intelligent Scheduling System unorganized

quantity
organized takeoff
quantity Dynamic Database System
takeoff

Database Linkage System

Labor & Purchase Accounting &

Material Space Activity
Equipment Order Cost
Management Management Management
Management Management Management
Database and Database and Database and
Database and Database and Database and
Report Report Report
Report Report Report

Fig. 4. Data transfer model of Database Linkage System.

94 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110

Fig. 5. Main menu of Database Linkage System.

5.1.2. Perform the database management
The process of data preparation is one of the most important parts
of the entire construction management process and one of the most
time consuming and difficult parts. Another function of DLS was
developed to capture certain output data from ISS, and analyze and
organize these output data according to different management pur-
poses. Moreover, DLS also can update the related data and create re-
ports automatically, so that the construction manager may analyze
large amounts of construction project data cost-effectively.
DLS transfers the quantity takeoffs from 3D CAD model to ISS. After
ISS gets the near-optimum schedule, the DLS can get feedback from
ISS, by way of the DDS, to do the database management (Fig. 4). The
DLS provides the database management of labor, material, equipment,
space, purchase order, activity, accounting and cost, and generates
each report automatically (e.g., Figs. 5–7).
5.2. Intelligent Scheduling System (ISS)
Traditional resource optimization techniques mainly include
mathematical method and heuristic method. Mathematical models,
however, suffer from being complex in their formulation and may be
trapped in local optimum [35,36]. Heuristic models are problem
dependent, with varying effectiveness in different cases. Thus their
rules of thumb cannot be equally applied to all construction cases. Fur-
thermore, there was no way to know a priori the best heuristic models
to use for a given case. Optimal solutions from the heuristic models are
not guaranteed. Their inconsistent solutions have contributed to large
discrepancies among the resource scheduling features of commercial
project management software [37].
The flow chart of ISS consists of: (1) activity network building;
(2) simulation execution; and (3) risk analysis, as shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 6. Labor/equipment management form.

 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110 95

Labor and Equipment Management Report

Labor or Equipment ID C
Req. ID Description Amount Type Hourly Cost Available Amount Unit Start Time Finish Time Duration Payment
LE 6 2 C a rp e n te rs 4 L $ 2 9 .1 5 4 EA 1 0 /2 6 /1 9 9 9 1 /1 7 /2 0 0 0 60 T$ 6 ,9 9 6 .0 0

LE 3 2 C a rp e n te rs 2 L $ 2 9 .1 5 4 EA 9 /6 /1 9 9 9 1 0 /3 1 /1 9 9 9 3 9 .9 8 0 7 3 T$ 2 ,3 3 0 .8 8

LE 1 1 3 C a rp e n te rs 1 L $ 2 9 .1 5 4 EA 5 /2 3 /2 0 0 0 7 /3 /2 0 0 0 30 NT$ 8 7 4 .5 0

LE 3 8 C a rp e n te rs 3 L $ 2 9 .1 5 4 EA 9 /2 /1 9 9 9 9 /2 7 /1 9 9 9 1 9 .8 5 7 1 4 T$ 1 ,7 3 6 .5 1

LE 8 6 C a rp e n te rs 1 L $ 2 9 .1 5 4 EA 1 /1 8 /2 0 0 0 5 /2 2 /2 0 0 0 90 T$ 2 ,6 2 3 .5 0

LE 7 4 C a rp e n te rs 4 L $ 2 9 .1 5 4 EA 4 /2 7 /2 0 0 0 5 /1 7 /2 0 0 0 15 T$ 1 ,7 4 9 .0 0

LE 8 0 C a rp e n te rs 2 L $ 2 9 .1 5 4 EA 1 2 /2 1 /1 9 9 9 1 /1 7 /2 0 0 0 1 9 .9 9 5 T$ 1 ,1 6 5 .7 1

Labor or Equipment ID CEF

Req. ID Description Amount Type Hourly Cost Available Amount Unit Start Time Finish Time Duration Payment
LE 3 2 C e m e n t F in is h 1 L $ 2 7 .9 5 1 EA 9 /6 /1 9 9 9 1 0 /3 1 /1 9 9 9 3 9 .9 8 0 7 3 T$ 1 ,1 1 7 .4 6

Labor or Equipment ID CF
Req. ID Description Amount Type Hourly Cost Available Amount Unit Start Time Finish Time Duration Payment
LE 6 2 C a rp e n te r F o r 1 L $ 3 1 .1 5 1 EA 1 0 /2 6 /1 9 9 9 1 /1 7 /2 0 0 0 60 T$ 1 ,8 6 9 .0 0

LE 7 4 C a rp e n te r F o r 1 L $ 3 1 .1 5 1 EA 4 /2 7 /2 0 0 0 5 /1 7 /2 0 0 0 15 NT$ 4 6 7 .2 5

LE 3 2 C a rp e n te r F o r 1 L $ 3 1 .1 5 1 EA 9 /6 /1 9 9 9 1 0 /3 1 /1 9 9 9 3 9 .9 8 0 7 3 T$ 1 ,2 4 5 .4 0

Labor or Equipment ID GEV

Req. ID Description Amount Type Hourly Cost Available Amount Unit Start Time Finish Time Duration Payment
LE 3 2 G a s E n g in e Vi 1 E $ 4 .7 5 1 EA 9 /6 /1 9 9 9 1 0 /3 1 /1 9 9 9 3 9 .9 8 0 7 3 NT$ 1 8 9 .9 1

Labor or Equipment ID L
Req. ID Description Amount Type Hourly Cost Available Amount Unit Start Time Finish Time Duration Payment
LE 6 2 La b o re rs 1 L $ 2 2 .8 5 2 EA 1 0 /2 6 /1 9 9 9 1 /1 7 /2 0 0 0 60 T$ 1 ,3 7 1 .0 0

LE 7 4 La b o re rs 1 L $ 2 2 .8 5 2 EA 4 /2 7 /2 0 0 0 5 /1 7 /2 0 0 0 15 NT$ 3 4 2 .7 5

LE 3 2 La b o re rs 1 L $ 2 2 .8 5 2 EA 9 /6 /1 9 9 9 1 0 /3 1 /1 9 9 9 3 9 .9 8 0 7 3 NT$ 9 1 3 .5 6

Labor or Equipment ID R
Req. ID Description Amount Type Hourly Cost Available Amount Unit Start Time Finish Time Duration Payment
LE 3 2 Ro dma n 1 L $ 3 2 .7 5 1 EA 9 /6 /1 9 9 9 1 0 /3 1 /1 9 9 9 3 9 .9 8 0 7 3 T$ 1 ,3 0 9 .3 7

Fig. 7. Labor/equipment management report.

ISS allows project managers to capture quantity takeoffs from a 3D
CAD model automatically through DLS and Dynamic Data Exchange
(DDE) technique, or assign them manually. After quantity takeoffs
are captured automatically or assigned manually, and resource pro-
duction rate distributions, resource unit costs, yearly interest rate,
overhead, contingency, profit, tax, and mark up are assigned, ISS
could get the activity duration, project schedule, project cost, project
net present values, and project revenue automatically after running
the simulation process [33].
ISS uses simulation techniques to assign different levels of priorities
to different activities in every simulation cycle to find near-optimum
distributions of manpower, material, equipment and space according
to their project objectives (e.g., minimum project duration, minimum
project cost, or minimum project cost without exceeding assigned pro-
ject due date) and project constraints (e.g., project due date and daily
resource constraints). This helps ISS to avoid the resulting schedule to
be trapped in local optima and get rid of application limits. The priority
of an activity is defined as the right to take precedence in obtaining re-
quired resources in this article.
Instead of using activity duration directly, the resource productiv-
ity is used in the developed simulation system (ISS) to decide activity
duration, activity cost, project duration, project cost, risk analysis
on project duration and project cost, and so on. This process can
make the above outputs more fit practical situations. ISS provides
a mechanism to experiment with the activity-based costing model.
Activity-based cost including indirect cost changes related to changes
in activity duration, which constitutes total duration. ISS considers
and integrates most of the important construction factors (schedule,
cost, space, manpower, equipment and material) simultaneously in
a unified environment, which makes the resulting schedule closer
to optimal. Furthermore, ISS allows for what-if analyses of possible
scenarios, and schedule adjustments based on unforeseen conditions
(change orders, late material delivery, etc.) [33].
The outputs of ISS include:(1) resource distribution; (2) dynamic
space allocation; (3) production rates of driving resources; (4) utilization
rates of resources and space; (5) activity duration; (6) project schedule
and cost (including project revenue and project net present value);
(7) materials used for each activity; and (8) stochastic risk analyses of
project duration, project cost, project revenue and project net present
value. Furthermore, it allows for what-if analyses of possible scenarios,
and schedule adjustments based on unforeseen conditions (change
orders, late material delivery, etc.) [33].
96 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110

Fig. 8. ISS flow chart.

5.3. Dynamic Database System (DDS)
Traditional 4D tools only allow users to visualize the construction
process without explanatory notes. It is easy to get confused about
which activities are actually going on. One of NDSM's important com-
ponents called Dynamic Database System (DDS), which was built using
Visual Basic and an Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) technique, was
developed to overcome this shortcoming. DDS allows designers/
contractors to view the project's progress directly from 3D CAD tools
according to the schedule with explanatory notes of ongoing activities,
called Dynamic Database Window, and affords object-identifier func-
tion for identifying objects' attributes (e.g., material, height, width,
 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110
Fig. 9. DDS links 3D objects with related ISS activities.
and coordinate), without using other commercial 4D tools. The data
showed that Dynamic Database Window was retrieved from the simu-
lation analysis results of ISS.
Fig. 10. Object-oriented MD CAD model.
97
In summary, DDS links 3D CAD objects of 3D CAD model with
scheduling simulation analysis results of ISS (e.g., activity ID, activity
title, activity duration, activity start time, activity finish time, activity
cost, resources and space used for each activity) (Fig. 9) to “construct”
an object-oriented MD CAD model (i.e., 3D + schedule + related
data) of the constructed facility/plant (Fig. 10).
The updated scheduling simulation outputs (e.g., resource distri-
bution, duration, and cost) due to any setting changes (e.g., available
resources, resources' unit costs, and production rates) in ISS will be
reflected and displayed in Dynamic Database Window automatically.
5.4. Bridge between components and the other functions included
5.4.1. Bridge between the DLS and ISS
To build the gap between the DLS and ISS, the author used Dynamic
Data Exchange (DDE) technique to transfer the organized quantity
takeoffs from the DLS to ISS. A cell in ISS was linked to a value in DLS
and when the value changed, it would be automatically updated in
ISS. The data communication was established by a simple, three-
segment model. This step will reduce human errors and increase
transfer efficiency.
5.4.2. Allow the users to identify the object-related information during
dynamic simulation process
The main disadvantage of traditional 4D tools is that they
only offer users a visual environment. Although Dynamic Database
Window, as stated before, was added to develop the contents of a
4D CAD model into a MD CAD model, the MD CAD model would
still have the same “video” nature as the traditional 4D CAD tool if it
could not provide users with an interface to “talk to” it.
To upgrade the MD CAD model to an object-oriented MD CAD
model, NDSM allows users to identify the object-related information
98 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110

#265 #284 #80 and Table 1. The goals of the activity scheduling were defined to be
#271 #74 #308
the arrival at optimum crews for each project activity, so that the pro-
ject duration would be the shortest possible within the daily resource
#259 #277 #290 #302 #314 #327 #339 #352 #359 constraints. By using Primavera to schedule these activities and allo-
cate these resources with daily resource constraints, the total project
#32 #296 #320
duration is projected to be 316 days.
#38 #62 #86 #113 #333 #345 In this case study, NDSM was utilized to do project scheduling and
management according to the following steps (Fig. 12):
Fig. 11. Project network for case study (numbers indicate specific activity).
Step 1. Create a 3D computer model
A 3D computer model is developed based on a design con-
(e.g., corresponding activity, material and quantity properties) during ception, an existing two-dimensional (2D) paper drawing,
dynamic simulation process by simply clicking object. or 2D computer models. Every element of the 3D model
should be assigned its own attributes (e.g. element ID, ele-
ment type, and element material) automatically or manually.
5.4.3. Visual mechanisms developed to support a variety of annotation
These attributes collectively form the underlying project ele-
forms
ment databases and can be cross-linked to either project-
To help people to identify the 3D objects that are in process or
specific or general-purpose database management systems.
clicked, visual mechanisms are developed in NDSM to support a vari-
A 3D computer model was built as Fig. 13 in this case study.
ety of annotation forms. Examples of this are highlighting, generating
Step 2. Generate project quantities
text describing related activity, attributes, etc. Since CAD tools are
Lists of geometric, material and quantity properties for every
designed for representation of a limited set of geometry in a static
physical object in a 3D CAD model can be generated from
state, they do not support behavioral functionality of that geometry.
the CAD system automatically. Users, though, need to com-
Thus the author used CAD tool's extension function to build the visual
plement these data lists with secondary database tables
mechanisms in the DDS to highlight the 3D objects according to the
for the additional “non-physical” items of the project that
schedule as a project progresses.
don't exist in the 3D computer model. For example, the
developed 3D model may not have physical representations
6. Framework verification of items such as painting and carpeting, or may not be de-
tailed enough to show all project elements.
To verify the functionality and effectiveness of the developed au- Step 3. Data integration
tomated and integrated project scheduling and management system Data integration concerns integrating 3D-object information
(NDSM), a case study was conducted at Columbia University in New with activity-object information, thus generating the spatial
York City. The construction site is a brotherhood synagogue located relationship between coverage and the feature attribute
at 28 Gramercy Park South, New York, New York 10003. The con- table is required. Because of the complexity of construction
struction schedule network, activity duration, required resources for projects, the one-to-one relationship is insufficient for quan-
each activity, and daily resource constraints are shown in Fig. 11 tity takeoffs between the 3D objects and activities.

Table 1
Activity duration, required resources for each activity, and daily resource limits.

ID Activity duration (days) Daily resource requirements

LF L EOL EOM BL HH FEL PRB C E CF R CEF GEV SWF SW SMW SMA LA

32 40 – 1 – – – – – – 2 3 1 1 1 1 – – – – –
38 20 – 4 – – – – – – 3 3 4 – – – – – – – –
62 60 – 1 – – – – – – 4 2 1 – – – – – – – –
74 15 – 1 – – – – – – 4 3 1 – – – – – – – –
80 20 – 2 – – – – – – 2 2 2 – – – – – – – –
86 90 – 2 – – – – – – 1 2 2 – – – – – – – –
113 30 – 3 – – – – – – 1 2 5 – – – – – – – –
259 0 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
265 4 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 1 2 – – – – – – – –
271 60 – 3 – – – – – – 2 2 3 – – – – – – – –
277 20 – 2 – – – – – – 6 1 5 – – – – – – – –
284 6 – 5 – – – – – – 1 4 4 – – – – – – – –
290 30 – 2 – – – – – – 4 4 2 – – – 2 8 – – –
296 30 – 4 – – – – – – 5 3 4 – – – – – 2 1 –
302 40 – 3 – – – – – – 4 1 3 – – – – – – – –
308 10 – 4 – – – – – – 1 3 2 – – – – – – – –
314 25 – 3 – – – – – – 3 4 3 – – – – – – – 1
320 20 – 2 – – – – – – 4 1 4 – – – – – – – –
327 10 – 3 – – – – – – 5 1 3 – – – – – – – –
333 20 – 2 – – – – – – 3 4 3 – – – – – – – –
339 10 – 4 – – – – – – 1 2 3 – – – – – – – –
345 30 – 3 – – – – – – 5 1 4 – – – – – – – –
352 5 – 2 – – – – – – 1 3 4 – – – – – – – –
359 1 – 4 – – – – – – 1 3 3 – – – – – – – –
Daily resource limit 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 9 6 8 1 1 1 2 8 2 1 1

Where LF = labor foreman; L = laborers; EOL = equip. oper. [light]; EOM = equip. oper. [medium]; BL = backhoe loader; HH = hyd. hammer; FEL = F.E. loader; PRB = Pavt. rem.
bucket;C = carpenters; E = electricians; CF = carpenter foreman; R = rodman; CEF = cement finisher; GEV = gas engine vibrator; SWF = skilled worker foremen; SW = skilled
workers; SMW = sheet metal workers; SMA = sheet metal apprentice; LA = lathers
 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110 99

Secondary
3D model
database

Database
Linkage
System

Required Required Maximum

Total Required
Total Required space area and Yearly resource Resource unit
available Quantity resource Capture
available Project resource location for location for interest rate productivity cost for each
resources for Project limits takeoffs for relationship priority for
space for the objective types for each each unit & mark up for each resource for
the whole each activity for each each activity
whole project each activity resource for resource for percentage resource for each activity
project activity
each activity each activity each activity

Intelligent
Scheduling
System
(ISS)

Activity Project cost & Optimum Actual Utilization Risk analyses

schedule project net Optimum resource resource percentage of of project
& present value space distribution productivity resource and duration,
procurement & project distribution for each for each space for the cost, and net
schedule revenue activity activity whole project present vale

Satisfy all of
No the outputs?

Yes

Object-oriented Dynamic
multidimensional Database
Computer model System

Database
Linkage
System

Labor/ Purchase Accounting/

Material Space Activity
Equipment Order Cost
Management Management Management
Management Management Management
Database Database Database
Database Database Database
and Report and Report and Report
and Report and Report and Report

Fig. 12. Flowchart of NDSM.

To build the bridge between the 3D CAD models and ISS, DLS
was used to link and organize databases obtained from the
3D CAD model's quantity takeoffs. Within the DLS, through
Key (or ID code) linkage, the spatial relationship can be
extended to one-to-many and many-to-many relationships.
The quantity takeoffs for different working activities require
different spatial attributes such as coordinate, area, perimeter,
length, and width. Within the DLS, the attributes required for
quantity takeoffs could be reorganized to fit the requirements
of different activities. All of these steps ensure that the users
get the material types and quantities for activities efficiently
without the introduction of human errors.
Step 4. Develop the activity network
With the 3D computer model in place, users can easily de-
sign project activities and the sequencing of these activities
(project's logic network). An activity network was developed
as Fig. 14 by using the built-in resource libraries, incorporating
atomic models, of ISS in this case study.
Step 5. Import object attributes to the simulation system (ISS)
Since BIM-based environments are strongly dependent on
project “objects” and their interactions with each other, it is
important to be able to transfer object attributes between
the framework's components. Different activities require dif-
ferent object attributes for quantity takeoffs. To run a simula-
tion in ISS, required object attributes upon generation of
quantity takeoffs from the 3D CAD model have to be trans-
ferred to ISS. In the process, DLS is used to establish the
connection between 3D objects and corresponding activities
in ISS. To reduce human errors in this process, Dynamic Data
Exchange (DDE) technique was used to build the bridge
between the DLS and ISS in NDSM. With this bridge, all of
these quantities in the DLS could be automatically transferred
to ISS.
Step 6. Assign available resources, space, resource productivity and
unit costs
The aforementioned information system allows users to spec-
ify available resources (manpower, material and equipment)
and space for the whole project, and specify resource produc-
tivity and unit cost of each resource for each activity. The
availability of a number of probability distribution functions
(constant or stochastic) enables users to perform risk analysis
on project duration, project cost and project net present
100 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110
Step 9. Create MD CAD model
Fig. 13. 3D computer model.
values.
Step 7. Simulate a construction process
Once the activity network is developed and resources are
assigned to each activity, users can simulate the resulting
construction process and find near-optimum distributions of
manpower, material, equipment and space according to their
settings of project objectives and project constraints in ISS.
Step 8. Analyze simulation results
With affording the functions of setting project objectives and
project constraints, simulation results of ISS afford more prac-
tical help on scheduling and management. Furthermore, it
allows for what-if analyses of possible scenarios, and schedule
adjustments based on unforeseen conditions.
After running the simulation model, users should check the uti-
lization percentages of every resource and every divided space
area in the whole project. If some resources have a low maxi-
mum utilization percentage, it may mean that the same project
duration could be achieved with fewer of these resources.
Similarly, if some divided space areas have low maximum uti-
lization percentages and some of the other divided space areas
have high maximum utilization percentages, users should
Fig. 14. Activity network developed by using the built-in resource libraries of ISS.
consider the possibility of adjusting these divided areas to im-
prove the project duration. Finally, users should check the sto-
chastic risk analysis results on project duration, project cost
and present value of project cost. If the calculated project du-
ration exhibits a high risk percentage, contractors may consid-
er to increase the amount of available resources which have
high maximum utilization percentages, then re-run the simu-
lation model and repeat this process until the risk percentage
is acceptable. If the calculated project cost, or the project net
present value, exhibits a high risk percentage then contractors
may consider to increase their bid price.
Even experienced planners often fail to think of all aspects
of their plans, and having a virtual reality (VR) model of the
project will prompt them to consider all missing details
(e.g., safety and access) [38–40]. But more importantly, VR
conveys the right messages to a client, government agency,
or public group [41] on the subject project. For this reason
a tool that can assist in visualizing construction plans and
sequences is considered helpful and engaging, although not a
substitute for “real” world experience. As stated already, con-
struction is a complex process and the schedule simulator
facility within NDSM is intended to improve the planner's
understanding of how a construction sequence will turn out
in the real world, by means of a simulated time-lapse assembly
of the components within a 3D VR environment.
Traditional 4D tools only allow users to visualize the construc-
tion process without any explanatory note and they can get
lost over which activities are going on. To overcome this short-
coming, Dynamic Database Window is used to generate essen-
tial construction management information according to the
schedule to “explain” the construction process displayed by a
schedule simulator facility. Thus, an n-dimensional construc-
tion simulation model is developed in NDSM.
After planners reach an optimized project schedule from
ISS, they can link all of the outputs of ISS (e.g. activities' sched-
ules, costs and resources), with the associated 3D model by
using DDS. DDS allows the running of ISS simulation model,
exporting of optimized scheduling outputs to Dynamic Data-
base Window, and the display of MD construction process
 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110 101

Table 2
Daily resource requirement.

resource
LF L EOL EOM BL HH FEL PRB C E CF R CEF GEV SWF SW SMW SMA LA
da

1 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

3 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

4 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

5 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

6 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

7 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

8 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

9 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

10 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

11 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

12 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

13 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

14 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

15 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

16 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

17 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

18 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

19 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

20 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

21 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 9 6 6 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

22 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 9 6 6 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

23 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 9 6 6 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

24 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 9 6 6 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

25 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

26 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

27 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

28 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

29 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

30 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

31 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

32 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

33 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

34 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

35 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

36 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

37 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

38 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

(3D + time + optimized schedule outputs) simultaneously. and automatically. The information showed in Dynamic Data-
Thus, any change that was introduced in the ISS simulation base Winow (e.g., activity ID, activity title, activity duration,
model will be reflected in this MD CAD model simultaneously activity start time, activity finish time, activity cost, resources
102 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110

Table 3
Daily resource requirement (Continued).

resource
LF L EOL EOM BL HH FEL PRB C E CF R CEF GEV SWF SW SMW SMA LA
da

39 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

40 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 4 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

41 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

42 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

43 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

44 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

45 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

46 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

47 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

48 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

49 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

50 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

51 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

52 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

53 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

54 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

55 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

56 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

57 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

58 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

59 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

60 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

61 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

62 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

63 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

64 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

65 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

66 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

67 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

68 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

69 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

70 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

71 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

72 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

73 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

74 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

75 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

76 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

and space used for each activity) affords daily field records for construction, and for posting information to planners on activ-
tracking the construction work. The resulting MD CAD model ities in progress, on resource requirements, layout planning,
can then be used for the monitoring and management of the cost, etc.
 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110 103

Table 4
Daily resource requirement (Continued).

resource
LF L EOL EOM BL HH FEL PRB C E CF R CEF GEV SWF SW SMW SMA LA
da

77 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

78 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

79 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

80 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

81 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

82 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

83 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

84 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

85 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

86 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

87 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

88 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

89 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

90 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

91 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

92 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

93 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

94 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

95 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

96 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

97 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

98 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

99 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

100 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

101 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

102 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

103 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

104 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

105 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

106 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

107 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

108 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

109 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

110 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

111 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

112 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

113 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

114 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

Step 10. Evaluate construction process with “3D WalkThrough” tool to “walk into” the 3D model to investigate the interior
and “object-identify” tool structure of the project. To assist the “3D WalkThrough”
The “3D WalkThrough” tool was provided via the 3D model tool, an “object-identify” tool was developed from the CAD's
of the project held within the CAD system. It allows planners program-extension functions. It allows the planners to
104 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110

Table 5
Daily resource requirement (Continued).

resource
LF L EOL EOM BL HH FEL PRB C E CF R CEF GEV SWF SW SMW SMA LA
da

115 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

116 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0

117 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

118 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

119 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

120 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

121 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

122 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

123 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

124 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

125 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

126 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

127 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

128 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

129 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

130 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

131 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

132 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

133 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

134 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

135 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

136 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

137 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

138 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

139 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

140 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

141 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

142 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

143 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

144 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

145 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

146 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

147 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

148 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

149 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

150 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

151 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

152 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110 105

Table 6
Daily resource requirement (Continued).

resource
LF L EOL EOM BL HH FEL PRB C E CF R CEF GEV SWF SW SMW SMA LA
da

153 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

154 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

155 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

156 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

157 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

158 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

159 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

160 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

161 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

162 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

163 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

164 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

165 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

166 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

167 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

168 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

169 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

170 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

171 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

172 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

173 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

174 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

175 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

176 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

177 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

178 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

179 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

180 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

181 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

182 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

183 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

184 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

185 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

186 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

187 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

188 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

189 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

190 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

identify the 3D-model objects' attributes (e.g., material, Thus planners could truly use these models to analyze the
height, width, and coordinate) and corresponding activities. construction process. In essence, NDSM is a hybrid system
With these two tools, 4D CAD models or MD CAD models where half of the visualization module's functionality is de-
could be upgraded from “video” nature to “object” nature. rived from the CAD system's functionality.
106 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110

Table 7
Daily resource requirement (Continued).

resource
LF L EOL EOM BL HH FEL PRB C E CF R CEF GEV SWF SW SMW SMA LA
da

191 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

192 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

193 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

194 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

195 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

196 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

197 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

198 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

199 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

200 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

201 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

202 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

203 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

204 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

205 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

206 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

207 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

208 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

209 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

210 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

211 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

212 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

213 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

214 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

215 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

216 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

217 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

218 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

219 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

220 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

221 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

222 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

223 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

224 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

225 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

226 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

227 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

228 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

In short, the MD visualization module imports the construction Step 11. Import optimum schedule's outputs of ISS to DLS, by way of
planning data from ISS. The walk-through, object-identify, and DDS, to do the database management
schedule simulation functions of NDSM are performed within After ISS develops an optimized schedule plan, DLS could
the CAD environment according to the program extensions. import related outputs (e.g., activity schedule, resources)
 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110 107

Table 8
Daily resource requirement (Continued).

resource
LF L EOL EOM BL HH FEL PRB C E CF R CEF GEV SWF SW SMW SMA LA
da

229 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

230 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

231 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

232 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

233 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

234 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

235 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

236 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

237 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

238 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

239 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

240 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

241 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 6 7 0 0 0 2 8 0 0 0

242 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

243 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

244 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

245 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

246 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

247 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

248 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

249 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

250 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

251 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

252 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

253 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

254 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

255 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

256 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

257 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

258 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

259 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

260 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

261 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

262 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

263 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

264 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

265 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

266 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

from ISS, by way of DDS, to do the database management. (i.e., manpower/equipment management, material manage-
Without any manual interface, DLS could organize and gener- ment, space management, activity management, purchase
ate the required databases and reports for different purposes order management, accounting/cost management).
108 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110

6.1. Discussion
A project schedule with 292-day project duration (Tables 2–9)
was obtained in this verification, which is around 7.6% of project
time reduced compared with the time produced by using Primavera.
The results of risk analyses obtained by ISS show all of the standard
deviations are below 6%. And, the solutions of resource utilization
percentage demonstrate that the project duration may be extended
if any of these resources' daily resource constraints are reduced in
the case (Table 10).
Fig. 10 shows a dynamic visualization of construction process using
the schedule outputs from ISS under NDSM environment. Users not
only can check whether the construction is proceeding at the desired
time during the simulation process, but also can check component
attributes simultaneously for detailed understanding. This tool was
proved to effectively reduce construction time and cost caused by re-
construction. Moreover, the proposed database management system
(DLS) was also proved to assist users in performing project tracking
and control functions in an efficient manner in this case study.
As a result, this project finished on schedule produced by ISS and
stayed within the allotted budget. Ultimately, the successful
deployment of the developed system (NDSM) confirmed the func-
tionality and practicality of the proposed automated and integrated
project scheduling and management framework.
7. Conclusion
In today's construction projects, in order for data to flow between
the computerized design databases, developing computer-based con-
struction models requires human comprehension, manual data extrac-
tion, construction planning and processing, hard-copy documentation,
and manual transfer. The main limitations of this practice are the poten-
tial errors from many sources and data incompatibility during data
transfer, and mistakes are sometimes discovered only after an element
has been constructed. It is also a labor-intensive operation that unnec-
essarily extends the time between the end of the design process and
the beginning of construction.
To solve this problem, this paper presents a methodology for
incorporating simulation modeling of construction operations in
FIAPP and BIM. The described framework adds scheduling simulation
model, risk analysis and optimization to the concepts of FIAPP and
BIM to build the Intelligent Scheduling System. Through the integration

Table 9
Daily resource requirement (Continued).

resource
LF L EOL EOM BL HH FEL PRB C E CF R CEF GEV SWF SW SMW SMA LA
da

267 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

268 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

269 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

270 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

271 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

272 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

273 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

274 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

275 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

276 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

277 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

278 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

279 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

280 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

281 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

282 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

283 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

284 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

285 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

286 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

287 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

288 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

289 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

290 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

291 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

292 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 S.-M. Chen et al. / Automation in Construction 35 (2013) 89–110 109

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