Revolutionising the 4D BIM Process to Support Scheduling Requirements in Modular Construction

Abstract

Given the heightened importance of revolutionising 4D BIM-based construction scheduling in modular construction, it has become vital to explore how 4D-BIM could be integrated with the lean concept. Therefore, this research aims to develop a lean-integrated process model to revolutionise the 4D BIM-based construction scheduling in modular construction projects. A case study approach was used to obtain the data. The data was obtained using semi-structured interviews with construction scheduling professionals, site observations, and extracts from the BIM model used within the selected case in the UK. Findings showed that conventional (component/object based) 4D BIM supersedes conventional scheduling methods in terms of foreseeing potential implications during design and construction. The findings also showed that lean-integrated 4D BIM in modular construction have different considerations when compared with component/object-based scheduling. A lean-integrated 4D BIM process model was developed from the analysis and it was validated using an interactive workshop with eight participants from two UK construction companies and two modular construction manufacturers. The developed process model identified a number of considerations for 4D BIM in modular projects including constructability, operations, health and safety risks and time. This study suggested the further potential of 4D BIM in scheduling for modular construction projects.