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?
By doing short period simulations you could be useful in analyzing critical tasks in a specific project. Most importantly, you could identify any potential delays or problems early so that they would not impact the rest of the project. For example, you could simulate the construction of a particular floor and see how long it would take to install the decks, any temporary shoring, the curing of concrete etc. all of which would impact the following steps of the project.
What level of detail should be included in a 4D simulation?
- Should you include all of the elements in the building model?
The 4D simulation is useful for understanding the construction sequence. It should mostly prioritize the main structural elements. Having a lot of details in the model like partitions, windows, staircases etc. would probably obstruct the view and would create a less clear representation of the construction sequence.
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?
Designers could re-design specific elements of the project to potentially reduce the cost. For example, one could try various beam spacings, column spacings, materials, slab thicknesses, type of foundations and so on based on the preliminary estimates.