Virtual graphic representation of construction equipment for developing a 3D earthwork BIM

Abstract

BIM provides a visualization of the construction design that allows a construction manager to review the construction process and the information that is associated with the progress. BIM is usually applied to modeling structural objects with parametric geometry where the sequence of process can be predefined. However, BIM technology can also be applied to objects with irregular shape where parametric modeling is not possible such as earthwork topography based on TIN (Triangular Irregular Network).The objective of this research is to develop a 3D earthwork BIM methodology and provide a graphic simulation that is capable of assisting construction equipment operators during excavation work. The 3D earthwork BIM presents a modeling technique that involves integrating hardware and software technologies. This combination of technologies is used to represent the actual excavator configuration in a 3D virtual environment. When it is applied to actual excavation work, it was proved that the 3D earthwork BIM could synchronize the virtual excavator configuration with the actual excavator configuration during excavation work in real time.

Keywords:

• BIM
• earthwork operation
• construction equipment
• geographical modeling
• excavator
• graphic simulation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sungwoo Moon

Sungwoo MOON. He is currently a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, South Korea. He earned his PhD in the Civil and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University with a dissertation: “Construction Automation: Effectiveness of a Virtual Human-Machine Interface for Large-Scale Manipulator Control”. His research interests focus on construction automation and process improvement through the application of information and communication technologies. He is currently working on the development of a construction machine guidance system using the Building Information Modeling (BIM) technique. The aim in this endeavor is to provide a user-friendly control environment in which the equipment operator can access to information for machine control and improve productivity during earthwork.

Jongwon Seo

Jongwon SEO. He is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Hanyang University, South Korea. He holds Professional Engineer's license in the state of California, U.S., and a member of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Korean Society of Civil Engineers (KSCE), Korea Institute of Construction Engineering and Management (KICEM), and Architectural Institute of Korea, etc. Currently, he is the leader of a research consortium named “Fleet management for construction equipment and Smart construction technology using ICT” funded by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) of Korean government. His research interests include (1) Automated earthmoving system; (2) Fully-integrated construction technology; (3) Graphical control of large equipment in unstructured environments; (4) Integrating design and construction for highway projects; (5) Simulation and visualization for infrastructure construction; (6) Virtual reality system for construction safety.