Abstract: A dynamic scheduling system that links digital movies of construction activities, a CPM schedule, and

progress control of
construction has been developed. A time-lapse technique has been used in such a way that months of construction
performance can be
watched in minutes. A method to produce a digital movie has been developed allowing thousands of pictures to be stored
in, and managed
by, microcomputers under a Windows environment. A recording system has been introduced enabling the user to specify
the day-by-day
progress achieved in activities undertaken, allowing the program to link the playback movie with the progress observed on
the construction
field. A CPM engine has been developed to produce a Gantt chart. A procedure to build a histogram of expected
cumulative
percentage of progress is presented. An animation engine has been built in order to generate new bars reflecting the
progress reported on
the bar chart and the histogram, working in synchrony with the playback movie.

Time-Lapse Digital Photography Applied to Project

Management

Abstract: A discussion about movies used to monitor activities on a construction site is presented. A new concept in
time-lapse
photography is introduced, where the user records pictures of a construction site shot at an optimal frame rate and is able
to play back
time-lapse movies at lower frame rates, this way adjusting the running time and detail of the playback movie. A software
package is built
in the Windows visual environment, capable of generating a time-lapse movie of a desired frame rate from a regular digital
movie shot
at the construction site. The selection of the most appropriate frame rate to handle different managerial issues such as
analyzing claims,
investigating accidents, and monitoring progress is discussed. Solutions are sought to the problem of storing the vast
amount of digital
information generated by movies, using commercially available storage devices.

Construction Scheduling and Progress Control Using

Geographical Information Systems

Abstract: Traditional scheduling and progress control techniques such as bar charts and the critical path method _CPM_
fail to provide
information pertaining to the spatial aspects of a construction project. A system called PMS-GIS _Progress Monitoring
System with
Geographical Information Systems_ was developed to represent construction progress not only in terms of a CPM
schedule but also in
terms of a graphical representation of the construction that is synchronized with the work schedule. In PMS-GIS, the
architectural design
is executed using a computer-aided drafting _CAD_ program _AutoCAD_, the work schedule is generated using a project
management
software _P3_, the design and schedule information _including percent complete information_ are plugged into a GIS
package
_ArcViewGIS_, and for every update, the system produces a CPM-generated bar chart alongside a 3D rendering of the
project marked for
progress. The GIS-based system developed in this study helps to effectively communicate the schedule/progress
information to the parties
involved in the project, because they will be able to see in detail the spatial aspects of the project alongside the schedule.

A VIRTUAL PROTOTYPING SYSTEM FOR SIMULATING

CONSTRUCTION PROCESSES

Abstract: Virtual prototyping (VP) technology has been regarded as a cost-effective way
of envisaging real circumstances that enhance effective communication of designs and
ideas, without manufacturing physical samples. In the construction field, although a large
number of digital technologies have been developed to visualize the innovative
architectural design, few VP systems have been developed to facilitate integrated
planning and visualization of construction plans of the building projects. This paper
describes a virtual prototyping system, called the Construction Virtual Prototyping (CVP)
system, which is developed for modeling, simulation, analysis and VP of construction
processes from digital design. The CVP system allows project teams to check
constructability, safety and to visualize 3D models of a facility before the commencement
of construction works. The real-life case study presented in the study shows that the CVP
system is effective in assessing the executability of a construction planning including site
layout, temporary work design, as well as resource planning.

As-built Documentation of Construction

Sequence by Integrating Virtual Reality
with Time-lapse Movies

Abstract
Previous research in the documentation and visualization of as-built construction sequences focused on
timelapse
movies. However, a major drawback associated with this approach is the difficulty of interacting with
the scene in the image. This does not aid comprehension and interpretation of the job site. In order to
address
this issue, this research proposes the integration of time-lapse movies with 4D virtual reality (VR) models in
a complementary fashion. The VR model provides users with the functionality of interacting and exploring
the scene, thereby improving comprehension of the job site. The paper presents the development and
implementation of a model for documenting as-built construction operations by integrating time-lapse
movies
with 4D virtual reality models. First, the conceptual model is developed. Based on this, a Windows-based
prototype is developed using Visual Basic .Net as a programming interface. The prototype was implemented
and tested on a new postgraduate building at Heriot Watt University. The integrated model adequately
captures the as-built sequence of construction and provides a quick and effective means of searching for
images in an image database. The system has the potential to support education, claims investigation and
dispute resolution.

Visualization of Construction Progress Monitoring

with 4D
Simulation Model Overlaid on Time-Lapsed
Photographs

Abstract: The ability to effectively communicate progress information and represent as-built and as-planned progress
discrepancies are
identified as key components for successful project management that allow corrective decisions to be made in a timely
manner. However,
current formats of reporting _e.g., textual progress reports, progress curves, and photographs_ may not properly and
quickly communicate
project progress. Current monitoring methods also require manual data collection and extensive data extraction from
different construction
documents, which distract managers from the important task of decision making. Therefore, to facilitate progress
monitoring, this paper
proposes visualization of performance metrics that aims to represent progress deviations through superimposition of four-
dimensional
_4D_ as-planned model over time-lapsed photographs in single and comprehensive visual imagery. As a part of the
developed system,
registration of the 4D model with photographs, augmenting photographs, and occlusion removal for progress images are
presented. While
contextual information is preserved, the as-built photographs are enhanced and augmented with 4D as-planned model in
which the
performance metrics are visualized. The augmented photographs provide a consistent platform for representing as-
planned, as-built, and
progress discrepancies information and facilitate communication and reporting processes.

Integrated Simulation System for Construction

Operation
and Project Scheduling

Abstract: Simulation modeling is important in predicting the productivity of construction operations and the performance
of project
schedules. It would be desirable if operation and project models are vertically integrated in practice. However, existing
discrete event
simulation systems do not allow integrating operation and project models. This paper introduces an integrated simulation
system named
“Construction Operation and Project Scheduling” _COPS_. COPS analyzes the productivity of construction operations as
well as the
performance of a project schedule individually and jointly. It creates operation models, maintains these models in its
operation model
library, conducts sensitivity analysis with different resource combinations, finds the optimal resource combination that
satisfies the user’s
requirements relative to hourly production and hourly cost of the operation, feeds this information into a project schedule,
and executes
stochastic simulation-based scheduling. A case study is presented to demonstrate this integrated simulation system.

Developing a Knowledge Based Information System (KISCCES) for

Construction Cost Estimating and Scheduling

ABSTRACT
The research project is to develop a Knowledge-Based Information System
for Construction Cost Estimating and Scheduling (KISCCES). To accomplish the
research goal, the researchers develops a prototype project management system that
can produce pictorial data to all involved parties, cost and schedule in nearly realtime
basis. The scope of the research project includes transferring pictorial data via
the wireless network, measuring construction productivity using time-lapse video,
and developing a graphical user interface for cost estimating and scheduling. The
tasks for this project are outlined as follows: conduct literature review, purchase
necessary software and hardware, define measurement data for each activity, conduct
field experiments in construction projects to transmit time-lapse video wirelessly and
consistently, and develop a prototype graphical user interface to estimate cost and
duration on a nearly real-time basis. Upon development of the KISCCES, the
researchersevaluatethe estimated cost and schedule by statistically comparing it with
estimates by construction industry experts

Integrating building information models with construction process

simulations for project scheduling support
Many construction practitioners and researchers have developed four-dimensional (4D) models by linking the
three-dimensional (3D) components of a building informationmodel (BIM)with the network activities of a project
schedule. In such a 4D model, the BIM provides limited information, except for the 3D components. To enhance
the benefits of using BIM in 4D applications, this study proposes an interface system that uses the BIMs
ability with regard to quantity takeoffs of required materials (such as steel, forms, and concrete) to support
site-level operations simulation, ultimately leading to the generation of a project schedule. Our proposed system
includes mechanisms that collect, store, and transfer information among various software packages. Facilitated
by the BIM's quantity takeoffs, the operations simulation is able to consider uncertain durations of work tasks,
which allows it to consider the competing needs for resources among multiple work tasks, and to evaluate various
resource allocation strategies in order to create a suitable construction plan. Finally, the resulting project
schedule is also linked to the BIM 3D components, thus producing an improved BIM-based 4D model

Construction performance monitoring via still images, time-lapse

photos, and video streams: Now, tomorrow, and the future

Timely and accurate monitoring of onsite construction operations can bring an immediate awareness on
project specific issues. It provides practitioners with the information they need to easily and quickly
make project control decisions. Despite their importance, the current practices are still time-consuming,
costly, and prone to errors. To facilitate the process of collecting and analyzing performance data,
researchers have focused on devising methods that can semi-automatically or automatically assess ongoing
operations both at project level and operation level. A major line of work has particularly focused on
developing computer vision techniques that can leverage still images, time-lapse photos and video
streams for documenting the work in progress. To this end, this paper extensively reviews these stateof-
the-art vision-based construction performance monitoring methods. Based on the level of information
perceived and the types of output, these methods are mainly divided into two categories (namely project
level: visual monitoring of civil infrastructure or building elements vs. operation level: visual monitoring
of construction equipment and workers). The underlying formulations and assumptions used in these
methods are discussed in detail. Finally the gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed in future
research are identified.

Proactive Construction Project Controls via Predictive Visual Data Analytics

Abstract
This paper presents a new visual production management system for proactive project
controls on construction sites. Taking advantage from the unprecedented growth of visual data
on
construction sites, the system continuously reconstructs and visualizes Reality in form of 4D
point clouds and maps it directly within 4D BIM. By putting schedule tasks and project
performance data in a visual context for the entire team and mapping Reality to Plan, the system
communicates “who does what work in what location”, tracks actual progress and productivity at
the weekly work plan and the look ahead schedule, and infers top locations at risk for potential
delays. To validate the system and its impact on field reporting and project controls practices, a
case study is conducted on a building construction project. Results demonstrate that such a
system improves coordination and communication by providing transparency in project
execution and helps project teams improve reliability of their short term plans.

Towards an automated photogrammetry-based approach for

monitoring and controlling construction site activities

The construction industry has a poor productivity record, which was predominantly ascribed to
inadequate monitoring of how a project is progressing at any given time. Most available approaches do
not offer key stakeholders a shared understanding of project performance in real-time, which as a result
fail to identify any project slippage on the original schedule. This paper reports on the development of a
novel automatic system for monitoring, updating and controlling construction site activities in real-time.
The proposed system seeks to harness advances in close-range photogrammetry to deliver an original
approach that is capable of continuous monitoring of construction activities, with progress status
determined, at any given time, throughout the construction lifecycle. The proposed approach has the
potential to identify any deviation of as planned construction schedules, so prompt action can be taken
because of an automatic notification system, which informs decision-makers via emails and SMS. This
system was rigorously tested in a real-life case study of an in-progress construction site. The
findings
revealed that the proposed system achieved a significant high level of accuracy and automation, and was
relatively cheap and easier to operate.