Use of GIS for Identification and Resolution of Workspace Conflicts in Repetitive Construction Projects

Effective planning of workspace on a construction site is necessary to execute work smoothly. Poor workspace planning results in workspace conflicts, site congestion, obstructions in work execution, and reduction in work quality. In order to resolve workspace conflicts, many concepts/tools have been developed for nonrepetitive construction projects. The workspace planning, identification of workspace conflicts, and deciding conflict resolution strategy in the case of repetitive construction projects have been neglected. Moreover, construction is affected by its site and existing utilities/facilities in its surroundings that are not considered in workspace planning. In the present study, the use of four-dimensional (4D) modeling, by linking a repetitive schedule with a 3D model of an infrastructure, to visualize the execution sequence along with its surroundings for workspace planning has been explored. The 3D model of a repetitive construction project has been developed using building information modeling (BIM). Geographic information system (GIS) has been used for the scheduling repetitive construction project, linking schedule with a 3D model to develop a 4D model, and modeling of site surroundings. The GIS-based methodology that enables workspace planning, conflict identification, and deciding conflict resolution strategy prior to the construction of a repetitive project has been developed. The implementation shows that the developed methodology is beneficial in developing space conflict-free executable plans for complex repetitive construction projects that involve both repetitive and nonrepetitive parts.