IEEE Trans Vis Comput Graph. 2018 Jan;24(1):687-697. doi: 10.1109/TVCG.2017.2745105. Epub 2017 Aug 29.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) provides an integrated 3D environment to manage large-scale engineering projects. The Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry explores 4D visualizations over these datasets for virtual construction planning. However, existing solutions lack adequate visual mechanisms to inspect the underlying schedule and make inconsistencies readily apparent. The goal of this paper is to apply best practices of information visualization to improve 4D analysis of construction plans. We first present a review of previous work that identifies common use cases and limitations. We then consulted with AEC professionals to specify the main design requirements for such applications. These guided the development of CasCADe, a novel 4D visualization system where task sequencing and spatio-temporal simultaneity are immediately apparent. This unique framework enables the combination of diverse analytical features to create an information-rich analysis environment. We also describe how engineering collaborators used CasCADe to review the real-world construction plans of an Oil & Gas process plant. The system made evident schedule uncertainties, identified work-space conflicts and helped analyze other constructability issues. The results and contributions of this paper suggest new avenues for future research in information visualization for the AEC industry.
建筑信息模型 (BIM) 提供了一个集成的 3D 环境，用于管理大规模的工程项目。建筑、工程和施工 (AEC) 行业在这些数据集上探索 4D 可视化，以进行虚拟施工规划。然而，现有的解决方案缺乏足够的视觉机制来检查底层进度计划，并使不一致之处显而易见。本文的目的是应用信息可视化的最佳实践来改进施工计划的 4D 分析。我们首先对以前的工作进行了回顾，确定了常见的用例和局限性。然后，我们咨询了 AEC 专业人员，以指定此类应用程序的主要设计要求。这些指导了 CasCADe 的开发，这是一种新颖的 4D 可视化系统，其中任务排序和时空同时性立即显而易见。这个独特的框架使结合各种分析功能成为可能，从而创建一个信息丰富的分析环境。我们还描述了工程协作人员如何使用 CasCADe 来审查石油和天然气处理厂的实际施工计划。该系统清楚地显示了进度计划的不确定性，确定了工作空间冲突，并帮助分析了其他可施工性问题。本文的结果和贡献为建筑、工程和施工行业的信息可视化未来研究提供了新的途径。
