Logistics on Construction Sites and Virtual Design & Construction Simulation

Site logistics plans illustrate how a construction company’s work will be carried out in order to simplify complex activities associated with the construction of buildings or other infrastructure projects. These visual representations, which should be included in a properly developed site logistics plan, may include still images or animations depicting various stages of the process.

Sequencing is one of the most critical events that occur on a construction site.

Construction and architectural teams make extensive use of a variety of software to accomplish their objectives.
Often, we begin with a background image of the site, which is generated using Google Earth, gis, or drone photography, and then modify the imagery requirements prior to beginning visualizations.

Modifications may include the removal of existing structures or trees, the overlaying of a site drawing, or simply correcting minor flaws. There are a few options for this software, depending on the desired outcome.

During the kickoff meeting, teams establish a baseline for the pursuit is scope. What are the owner’s requirements, and how can we go above and beyond them to distinguish ourselves from the competition?

To summarize, VDC teams will consider the following aspects of a pursuit plan: safety, logistics, schedule, quality, and execution.

Not to be forgotten is CPM Sequencing.

By studying and researching approved materials and installation specifications, sequencing can be developed.
Drying times, curing times, and moisture content are all examples of sequential steps that require time and, in some cases, documented inspection.

Safety will always take precedence over all other considerations, and pursuit planning is no exception. Collaborating with the estimating and project delivery teams, ensure that all costs, including safety-related costs, are captured. This upfront planning enables project delivery teams to develop a comprehensive safety plan, ensuring that if a project is awarded, a detailed plan is in place from start to finish.

Logistics planning can be as simple as displaying owner-supplied content throughout the site, or as complex as a fully developed 3D animation that is highly specific and intentional. What VDC does and develops in terms of logistics is determined by a number of factors, and the following questions are frequently asked during the kickoff meeting:

1) Does the owner have specific requirements, or is there something planned by the leadership team?

2) Do we have a model on which to base our work?

3) Do we have drone imagery, geographic information systems, or do we need to rely on satellite data?

Additionally, VDC teams can provide advanced scheduling methods by associating model elements with P6 activities.
This is referred to as 4D scheduling in the BIM world and can be extremely beneficial to both the project team and the owner.

Is there any new technology available?

Early simulation of your construction site logistics plan during the pre-construction phase of a project has quickly become a critical driver of value for the client and project stakeholders, and is on the verge of becoming an industry best practice.

A newer technology capable of simulating processes is becoming increasingly accessible to the general public.
3D/4D simulations performed in cmBuilder.io enable rapid, real-time scenario analysis by acting as “digital rehearsals” that are simple to create and share with all project stakeholders. This enables you to make data-driven decisions more quickly on your projects, resulting in cost savings during the construction phase.

With the anticipated continued adoption of off-site manufacturing, advanced methods and techniques, semi-autonomous and fully autonomous equipment, and temporary resources on-site, the construction industry has found itself in a position similar to that of the advanced manufacturing industry 20+ years ago. After the pandemic, logistics and supply chain reliability demonstrated why they must be impenetrable.

An end-to-end digital toolkit that enables you to easily model and simulate your construction site setup, logistics, and sequencing, calculate costs automatically, conduct rapid scenario analyses, integrate and/or generate a construction schedule, and generate better data to drive effective decision making, resulting in better outcomes much faster.
GCs and CMs operate in the client services industry, which means they are ultimately selling an experience and an outcome; this operating system transforms the client.

Simulate construction sequencing and temporary resources.

Automatically quantify elements.

Distribute data and intelligence via live links that enable frictionless access from any smart device.