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?
Some shorter, 1-2 week, construction sequences are nice to highlight in a 4D simulation if one does not want to have a 4D simulation of the entire construction period of the project. Highlighting these short construction sequences can help organize the planning of construction by showing contractors the sequence of events of resurrection of the structural framing. Another example where focusing on a 1-2 week period would be useful for planning would be for the purposes of showing city officials how a certain stage of construction might affect the surrounding area and roadways. By showing city officials how they plan on a construction stage being built, when the work will occur and if it has any effects on surrounding areas, the city officials can then prepare for road detours, closures or for traffic more so then if they didn’t know when or how the building was being constructed.
What level of detail should be included in a 4D simulation?
- Should you include all of the elements in the building model?
A 4D simulation does not have to be in great detail. The 4D simulation should be in enough detail to show the constructability of the project without the little minor elements. Elements such as plumbing fixtures or furniture do not need to be included within the 4D simulation. The 4D simulation should show the structural elements being erected. Then architectural elements such as; interior walls, windows, doors and siding should be shown. If the building model includes items such as HVAC or interior water piping, these should also be added to the 4D simulation.
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?
Model-based quantity takeoffs can significantly improve the design process of a project. Model-based quantity takeoffs allow for rough cost estimates for the project to be created almost instantaneously during the model and design process. Because of this almost instantaneous cost estimate, designers can further improve their design and quickly get a new estimate that reflects those improvements made. If the designer is over-budget they can use the preliminary estimate to change the model to have cheaper materials or less labor required to build that design. They can also use the preliminary estimates from the model to make a bid on the project. Rather than working through the estimating software that can sometimes be not user friendly, the designer can quickly put together a rough model of the project and make a preliminary estimate to put into their bid packet to the owner of the project.