Can you guarantee that the completed building will match the performance predicted by the analysis in its day-to-day operations?
- Why or why not?
When choosing settings for each of the building performance factors, should you always choose the setting that gives the absolute lowest predicted energy use?
How can you use Insight feedback to make design choices regarding materials, lighting, PV, etc.?
4D simulations are often used to show the construction sequence for an entire project, but shorter simulations that focus on a specific period of time are also useful.
- Can you provide examples of how a simulation that focuses on a 1 or 2 week period could be useful for planning?
If it is a week that involves collaboration between a lot of different groups, seeing how and when each group will complete their part can definitely help. For instance, the structural team placing the floor framing, the MEP team placing the pipes and cables, and the architectural group placing the ceiling to cover those parts up. A short, 1-2 week, 4D simulation can show the order in which these events will be carried out.
What level of detail should be included in a 4D simulation?
- Should you include all of the elements in the building model?
Not necessarily. For instance, I don’t think the furniture should be included. Exterior cladding or joint connections can also be left out of the simulation if the goal is to get a overall sense of the order in which construction will take place.
How can the feedback shown in a 4D simulation help you to optimize the project schedule?
- What are the main benefits of linking model elements to the project schedule?
How can model-based quantity takeoff improve the design process?
How can designers improve their designs using the information provided by preliminary estimates of the cost of building their design ideas?
A model-based estimate can highlight structural materials or elements that contribute to the cost the most. This can be helpful in preliminary design, as the designer can choose to alter their design to make it more cost-effective. They can either change materials, or reduce the amount of material used by replacing them with better-performing elements. Not only would this reduce the cost of the building, getting rid of non-essential material would also lead to a more sustainable design. Obviously, these decisions should be made with the building performance and human safety and well-being in mind.