COMPUTER GRAPHICS ANIMATION FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

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1 COMPUTER GRAPHICS ANIMATION FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT Yoshihiko FUKUCHI *, Ichiro KOBAYASHI ** ABSTRACT : Computer graphics animation systems provide the ability to integrate on-site engineers* expertise into design systems as well as construction management processes. Computer graphics animation improves coordination and communication among engineering, construction and client organizations. The expedited communication leads to a substantial improvement of quality and productivity in the AEC industry. Computer graphics animation makes it possible to move through the design objects and view the proposed facility interactively in virtual environment. In this way, all participants can work as a team beyond their specific interests. A collaborative work environment is created. The paper introduces the application of computer graphics animation as a tool for the construction management in terms of computer integrated construction, evaluates the role and proposes recommendations for the application. Several pilot trials have been implemented on a dam construction project, on a currently on-going industrial district readjustment project in Osaka, Japan, and on a highway reconstruction project in Kobe. 1. INTRODUCTION Computer graphics animation takes an important part in complex construction projects today. Money and time on construction sites is wasted because of misinterpretation of design, use of outdated versions of plan, information imprecisely transferred from drawings, and lack of coordination with residents. Therefore it is invaluable for the successful completion of construction projects to encourage communication among all relevant professionals and people in the vicinity of the sites. The communication expedited with computer graphics animation leads to a substantial improvement of quality and productivity in the AEC industry. Computer graphics animation can help designers, engineers and clients visualize the suggested new facilities in the context of the existing environment, making it possible to simulate sequences and schedules of construction activities by moving about interactively in a virtual environment. In this way, they can minimize anticipated conflicts between them and harmonize their ideas and interests collaboratively before actual construction activities take place COMPUTER GRAPHICS ANIMATION Computer graphics animation is categorized in two basic functionality. Those are real-time animation and frame accurate (frame-by-frame recorded) animation. A difference exists in how animation should be applied to solve a specific problem, which is interactivity. Real-time animation is dynamic and interactive. Interaction requires significant graphics processing power. Real-time animation is created by complex four step process. First, three-dimensional models are created using either external CAD software or a similar aspect of the animation software. These models are then loaded into the animation system. Second, a user supplies a real-time animation controls parameters such as camera position, view parameters such as perspective angles, and object positions in the model. Third, the objects and the camera are moved based on the input provided by the user. Fourth stage is the rendering stage. The most important feature of real-time animation is the ability to provide complete, interactive control over the motion of the objects and the camera. The size and complexity of the model and the power of the graphics hardware influence performance. Unlike real-time animation, frame-accurate (frame-by-frame recorded) animation is not interactive. This method is less effective for interactive applications such as design review and construction simulation. Since the rendering time is no 1

2 longer dependent on an interactive bottleneck, more sophisticated rendering techniques such as multiple reflection and shadow can be used. The process of frame accurate animation is similar in many ways to real-time animation. As in real-time animation, the creation of three-dimensional objects is the first step. The motion of the objects and a camera in a key frame is saved in a script file. The system then renders the scene. Once the rendering process is complete, the scene is recorded on videotape or digital media. Once a scene is rendered and recorded, the system moves to the next frame. This process repeats until the objects and camera motions defined by the motion script file are completed. 2,3,4 3. COMPUTER INTEGRATED CONSTRUCTION CIC is based on the ideas of computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) adopted from the manufacturing industry. CIC is a strategy that links technology with people to help manage various activities in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms. CIC facilitates synergy among technologies available in the AEC industry by optimizing management, construction and facility management. Successful implementation of CIC requires the following considerations. CIC depends on: (1) cooperative business relationships as opposed to competitive ones; (2) integrated computer systems that allow concurrent design and construction as well as sufficient field access; (3) ability to provide both owners and operators with information required for operations and maintenance; (4) ability to communicate electronically with major project participants such as clients, vendors and subcontractors. 5,6,7 The goal of CIC is the vertical integration of data, design decisions and knowledge through all phases of a construction project in order to improve the productivity and quality of design and construction. In this way, constructed facilities can better meet the cost, schedule and technical performance objectives of their owners. Moreover, enhanced integration and automation of the decision-making process in all phases of the project can provide a machine-readable and machine-usable knowledge environment in which computerization of the construction management processes can be accomplished more efficiently. Among the technologies for CIC, computer-aided design (CAD) systems perform a variety of design, engineering and managerial tasks. In addition, computer graphics animation is now seen as an emerging CAD-related technology in the AEC industry APPLICATION OF COMPUTER GRAPHICS ANIMATION FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT 2

3 5. SYSTEM APPLICATION Standard personal computers available today offer enormous power and speed which only 3

4 expensive mainframe computers were capable of several years ago. In the AEC industry, personal computers have become capable of using new and emerging computer technologies such as computer graphics animation. Expensive mainframe computers are no longer required for such applications. Computer graphics animation can play a key role in the industry. Since construction projects become more complicated and more technologies become available, efficient communication becomes essential. The ability to quickly and accurately convey the physical configuration of a construction project is desired. Computer graphics animation allows construction project participants to exchange their ideas and to interact with three-dimensional geometry without any ambiguities or misinterpretations. Application of computer graphics animation as a CICC visualization function provides the following strategic and operational advantages: (1) the ability to directly and interactively present concepts of design in a form which resembles physical and real images to allow designers to identify clients* needs, and to quickly and effectively provide solutions to these needs; (2) the ability to simulate time-eventing function by linking it to other personal computer-based construction planning packages; (3) the ability to construct a project and detect obscure flaws on the computer screen before actual field construction; (4) the ability to involve more people from design, management, construction and operations during the design phase for exploring options that might lead to design improvement; and (5) the ability to facilitate immediate and unambiguous communication regarding spatial relationships among all design objects within the facility for better installation sequencing. 5.1 CASE STUDY IN DAM CONSTRUCTION 4

5 5.2 CASE STUDY IN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT 5

6 6 5.3 CASE STUDY IN HIGHWAY RECONSTRUCTION

7 animation as a tool of computer integrated construction management by focusing on its ability to expedite communication. Visualizing demolition and reconstruction sequences with computer graphics animation was performed and evaluated through the case study. Due to the increased complexity of construction methods and rapid advance of construction related technologies today, clients have been intimidated in evaluating designs by only going through site plans and elevations than they used to have. From the client*s point of view, computer graphics animation helps them understand the design contents much better and make better decisions. Prompt and appropriate decisions could be easier to make and tough judgments could be made earlier in the project. During the construction phase of the highway reconstruction project, computer graphics animation could be used to evaluate the constructibility of a number of bridge demolition processes on the computer screen by actually performing construction simulations and by graphically displaying work status and physical interference at any given time. It allowed the client to feel comfortable with the process. In this way, all construction participants can understand each other and work as a team beyond their specific interests. In the land readjustment project, computer graphics animation has been used as a visualization example available in the virtual collaboration environment to support communication among separate project participants with dispersed interests. Computer graphics animation can play a part in nearly all phase of the project. Many of the client organizations of the project are actively involved with pursuing this route further. Although using computer 6. CONCLUSION graphics animation as a construction management tool might cost a bit more initially, the clients will be The paper takes note of ideas of the Collaborative realized that they can save in the long run. Integrated Communications for Construction (CICC) and examines the application of computer graphics REFERENCE 7

8 1 Hurrion, R. D. Using 3D Animation Techniques to Help with Experimental Design and Analysis Phase of Visual interactive Simulation. The Journal of Operation Research Society. July 1993: Foley, James et al. Computer Graphics: Principles and Practice. Second Edition. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company Mitchell, William and McCullough, Malcolm. DIGITAL DESIGN MEDIA. VAN NOSTRAND REINHOLD. 1991: Cleveland, A.B., Jr. and Francisco, Vernon. The use of Real-Time Animation in the Construction Process. Proceedings from a Transportation Research Board 67 th Annual Meeting. January 11-14, Washington, D.C. 5 Kangari, et al. Experiencing Computer Integrated Construction. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management. ASCE June 1993:309 6 Rodriguez, Walter. Visual Simulation: Considering the Dynamic Nature of Construction. Construction Business Review. July/August 1992: Fukuchi, Yoshihiko and Kobayashi, Ichiro et al. Computer Graphics Animation for Highway Reconstruction after Great Hanshin Earthquake. Proceedings from Third Asian-Pacific Conference on Computational Mechanics September Euler, John. K. Construction Site Managemant Using Knowledge- Based 3D Animated CAD Models. Computer Solutions. A/E/C Systems. May-June 1993: Hamajima, Koichiro, et al. Multimedia Presentation of Akashi- Kaikyo Bridge Foundation Construction Proceedings from the 18 th Annual Symposium of Civil Engineering Information Processing System, JSCE. 1993:17-20 in Japanese 10 Hamajima, Koichiro, et al. Multimedia Presentation of Construction Plan for General Public Proceedings from the 13 th Annual Symposium of Construction Management and Engineering, JSCE. 1995: in Japanese 11 Fukuchi, Yoshihiko Animation for Computer Integrated Construction Thesis for Master of Science, MIT