Framework for work-space planning using four-dimensional BIM in construction projects

Each participant in a building construction project requires a dedicated work space in which to execute their activities. In this environment, inappropriate work-space planning in a construction site causes work-space problems, which results in a loss of productivity, safety hazards, and issues of poor quality. Therefore, the work space should be considered one of the most important resources and constraints to manage at a construction site. However, current construction planning techniques have proven to be insufficient for work-space planning because they do not account for the spatial feature of each activity. To establish a formalized work-space planning process, therefore, this paper categorizes work space by its function and movability and suggests a framework for a work-space planning process that contains five phases, including 4D building information model (BIM) generation, work-space requirement identification, work-space occupation representation, work-space problem identification, and work-space problem resolution. The proposed framework in this paper can improve the accuracy of work-space status representation and work-space problem identification by introducing the work-space occupation concept and the integrated work-space planning process that considers characteristics of activity, work space, and construction plan. In addition, this paper aims to ameliorate the work-space planning process through path analysis and a formalized work-space problem resolution process. To validate the proposed approach, a case project was tested. The result shows the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed framework on improving the work-space planning process. Based on the result of this study, a project manager will be able to prevent possible work-space problems and their negative effects on project performance by devising a pertinent work-space plan during the preconstruction phase.