Modeling the space behavior of construction activities

Building construction requires space to move, store, and fabricate materials and perform work. The spatial needs of construction activities for multi-story buildings create complex networks of paths, material storage areas and work areas. Currently, no formal description exists of the reasons construction activities need space. The relationship between required space and the sequence planning process is also not clearly defined. This research presents a Space Planning Model that helps a construction planner to design a productive work environment that minimizes work space congestion and interference. Two components of the Space Planning Model are defined. The first is a collection of descriptive space types and typical patterns which describe how space is used in multi-story building construction (Construction Space Model). The space model identifies twelve unique reasons that construction activities use space, and the spatial impacts of finished work in place. The second is a process that assists a construction planner to develop sequence plans which considers these space requirements (Planning Process Model). The planning model identifies four basic planning steps: (1) the identification of needed spaces, (2) the positioning of these spaces, (3) the development of a sequence in which space is used, and (4) the identification of spatial conflicts. Through case study research and interviews, the space model and planning model components were found to accurately represent the targeted construction environment and address key space planning issues. The components of the Space Planning Model were then applied collectively to realistic sets of conditions, and found to be successful in identifying spatial conflicts before they occurred.