Enter the new dimension – 4D is where it’s at
17th January 2012
Our aviation sector leader George McBride tells us why 4D is the next big thing.
These days no self-respecting Hollywood blockbuster is complete without the embarrassment of Buddy Holly 3D glasses. Add this to the increase in sales of 3D technology for the home and we’re all led to believe that 3D is the latest thing.
However, when it comes to managing large-scale, complex projects within the construction industry 3D is so turn of the century. So what’s OUR new thing? 4D modelling!
We take the traditional three dimensions of height, depth and width and adds a fourth – time. We model and monitor the programme and logistics of projects, effectively managing multiple designers and contractor, highlighting to project teams and clients potential problems and solutions - such as altering the build programme of a particular initiative to avoid a clash.
In practice, 4D is working wonders at a major airport where we have responsibility for co-ordinating all construction activity in a substantial ongoing project. Effectively, we’re removing negative impacts on passengers during the remodelling.
Planning ahead, using the latest technology to demonstrate how redevelopment can be delivered efficiently and with minimal inconvenience to passengers, seems, to me, just common sense.
4D is here to stay and will be increasingly used by engineers and project managers so that major and sometimes complicated projects can be delivered faster and at lower cost.
Without doubt, the 4D age has arrived in design and engineering long before the world of movies and TVs. But, given the pace of technological advances, I guess that’s only a matter of time too.
George McBride is our Aviation Sector Leader, based in the South he looks after our key aviation customers.