Applicability of 4D CAD in civil engineering construction: Case study of a cable-stayed bridge project

Four-dimensional (4D) computer-aided design (CAD) has been credited with improving construction planning procedures. The integration of three-dimensional CAD with schedule information has enabled the effective detection of design and planning flaws in many construction projects. However, the benefit of 4D CAD has been centered on architectural constructions, as other areas such as civil infrastructure have seldom been the target of 4D CAD application. This paper presents a case study in which a cable-stayed bridge construction was analyzed and modeled using the 4D graphic simulation approach. The cable-stayed bridge was chosen for the case study because it suitably represents the complex nature of modern civil infrastructure. 4D CAD models were developed at three different levels of detail: activity, discrete operation, and continuous operation. The clear definitions of the three levels of detail of 4D CAD and their application results for the cable-stayed bridge are presented herein.