Submission to Academia Letters

Evaluation of 4D BIM software applications in

managing construction projects
FADI SALAH, Karabük University

ABSTRACT
The Construction industry has been in gradual decline in its performance
and labor productivity compared to other industries. The weakness of using In-
formation Communication Technologies (ICT) is from the vital causes. Building
information modeling is one of the most emerging technologies in the AEC in-
dustries which promises in putting an end to this situation. The integration
between 4D technology (3D+ Time) and BIM is broadly known as “4D BIM”
that represents the core of the present work. After analyzing the general work-
flow, the practical work is completed using the following software: Autodesk
Revit 2013, Microsoft Office Project 2010, Autodesk Naviswork Manage 2013,
and Synchro Professional V4.8. Based on reviews of BIM and a case study
using 4D BIM, results are assessed depending on the general theoretical 4D
tool requirements as well as 4D utilization areas in Construction and Project
management. Despite of some weaknesses of current 4D BIM applications and
emerging areas of future studies, the opportunity to use 4D BIM in visualizing
and simulating the construction process is really interesting and can help project
stakeholders in better management of time and space.However,4D BIM could be
more efficient and quickly adopted if deeper integration of 4D scheduling tools
in the BIM methodology is achieved.
Keywords : Construction industry , BIM, 4D Technology, Visualization
,Simulation, Project Management ,Autodesk Naviswork Manage2013,Synchro
Professional V4.8.
1. INTRODUCTION
Construction is the largest product-based industry in the world as dealing

Academia Letters preprint.

©2021 by the author – Open Access – Distributed under CC BY 4.0

1
with multiple environments and effecting the most sides of human life (Halpin,
2005).Since1960, the construction industry has been in gradual decline in its
performance and labor productivity compared to non-farm industries such man-
ufacturing industry (Teicholz, 2004). The high level of uncertainty and the lack
of constant productivity in the construction industry are related to its frag-
mented nature. (Halpin, 2005). Moreover, the low level of sharing information
and the weaknesses of communication between projects stakeholders results in
increasing possibilities of risks (Velasco, 2013). The growing complexity of con-
struction projects and the shortage of resources give an urgent need for better
sophisticated tools for construction planning and management (Sharma, 2009).
The Network techniques such as the Critical Path Method (CPM) and Pro-
gram Evaluation and Review technique (PERT) are familiar tools of construc-
tion planning to many construction and civil engineers, builders, and architects
which used in project control, cost control, overlapping relationships and much
more (Carmichael, 1989).
Since the mid of 1980s, Many software companies have developed comput-
erized scheduling programs that are based on CPM scheduling. These schedul-
ing software packages such as Microsoft Project, Primavera, and Asta power
project are still used by construction companies from the early of 1990s until
these days(Sharma, 2009). However, overall the history of construction in-
dustry, construction managers, despite of all modern techniques of scheduling
and sequencing of construction process ,still have difficulties in improving the
time schedule of work and facing many problems once the construction phase
have been started.(Hijazi et al, 2009). The weakness of integration between 2D
Computer Aided Design (CAD) and the traditional planning techniques such
as Critical path method (CPM) and Bar charts is from the main causes of these
problems.
Recently, Many new emerging concepts such as lean construction manage-
ment, the integrated project delivery (IPD) method and Building Information
Modeling (BIM) took place in order to override the problems of the construction
industry. These new technologies concept depends basically on sharing infor-
mation among project participants rather than transferring these information
through the whole lifecycle of the building project (Velasco, 2013).Since the
early of 1990s, there has been a growing interest in what is known” 4D mod-

Academia Letters preprint.

©2021 by the author – Open Access – Distributed under CC BY 4.0

2
eling” as a new trend of scheduling and planning technique ,which depends on
the virtual design and construction (VDC) concepts (Hessom & Mahdjoubi,
2004). Conceptually, 4D-Modeling is a medium representing time and space as
a type of graphical simulation of the construction process (Koo, &Fisher, 2000).
With The revolution technology of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the
construction industry, it was believed that a great combination can be achieved
between 4D technology and BIM technology (Eastman ,Teicholz, Sacks &Liston,
2011).
The term “BIM” has been defined by several authors. This paper is merely
an evaluation of using 4D BIM software applications in managing the construc-
tion process. Given this, and for the purpose of the present study, BIM is a
methodology of improving the way of generating ,managing, transferring, and
visualizing information through the entire lifecycle of the building project.
2.RELATED LITERATURE
Since the early of 1990s, there had been a great interest of Virtual Design
and Construction (VDC). The theory of VDC depends basically on engineer-
ing modeling and analysis through visualization tools that are computer-based
description of the project(Wikipedia, 2014) . With the shortage of traditional
design and construction planning tools, such as 2D drawings and network dia-
gram to move the projects forward quickly, a new term of “4D modeling” was
appeared as a new trend of scheduling technique.(Halpin, 2005).
In 1998,Sir John Egan in his article “Rethinking Construction” clarified the
need to change the way of construction. Egan argued that improving the project
delivery ,needs applying new technology as a tool of saving time of rework hours.
Egan(1998) states “from using modern CAD technology to prototype buildings
and by rapidly exchange information on design changes, Redesign should take
place on computer, not on construction site”(p.28) .The 4D model is a virtual
medium of time and space through which 3D CAD Models are linked with time
schedules of activities in order to visualize the temporal and physical aspects
of the project on the screen as they are during the actual construction process
(Koo & Fisher, 2000).
With the revolution of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology in
the construction industry, It had been believed that a great combination can be
achieved between 4D technology and BIM. (Eastman et al ,2011). The workflow

Academia Letters preprint.

©2021 by the author – Open Access – Distributed under CC BY 4.0

3
of accompanied information and 3D model helped in resolving many problems
in the 4D CAD modeling process (Velasco, 2013). Hessom and Mahdjoubi
(2004) provided an assessment between the most common 4D BIM commercial
products at that time. The study argued that most of the available 4D CAD
packages are used for aesthetic visualization purposes more than concentration
of carrying out an analytical task. They also determined three areas of initia-
tives researches in 4D planning:(1)product modeling & visualization (2)Process
modeling & analysis(3) Collaboration & communication.
An assessment of using Autodesk Naviswork manage in producing 4D BIM
model was held at Polytechnic University of Valencia.. The study concluded
that Naviswork is a design- review software more than a planning and schedul-
ing software. However, Naviswork covered most of the evaluating criteria and
supporting the 4D technology by improving the visualization platform (Velasco,
2013).
3.PROPOSED METHODOLOGY
The U.S general Services Administration (GSA, 2009) defines the 4D mod-
eling as “ the integration of 3D model or (BIM) with a construction schedule in
order to visualize the sequences of the construction”. BIM software applications
were developed to link the 3D Models with the fourth dimension (time) to im-
prove communication, coordination, and planning for construction projects(Kia,
2013).
The objective of this paper is to examine the available current BIM applica-
tions with 4D capabilities in producing 4D BIM models and the extent of using
4D Models by schedulers and planners as a comprehensive and reliable method
in managing the construction projects. Given that, two of most common and
used 4D BIM software application were selected. One of them is manufac-
tured by Autodesk software company which is Navisworks TM Manage 2013.
The other is Synchro Professional V4.8 which is manufactured by Synchro LTD
company. First of all, A 3D BIM Model using Autodesk ® Revit 2013 as 3D
BIM authoring tool(Figure1) and a time schedule based on critical path method
–CPM by using Microsoft ® Office Project 2010 as scheduling software tool are
developed. After analyzing the general workflow , A 4D BIM model produced
by using the two selected software applications.
Once a researcher decided to compare two or more BIM software products,

Academia Letters preprint.

©2021 by the author – Open Access – Distributed under CC BY 4.0

4
Figure 1: Rendered image of 3D BIM house project model using Autodesk
Revit2013.

it is considered that he has a difficult mission. It is not fair to say that one is
better than the others , so he must highlight the research trends to a certain area
of study or specific functions carried out by the commercial BIM Products (Day,
2010). Given this, and in order to provide a reliable comparison between the
two selected software applications, Some of the utilization areas of 4D Models
as Project management tool were selected from the BIM handbook 2011. These
areas are: schedule visualization, 4D simulation ,Re-planning and introducing
changes ,Time monitoring and project control as well as using 4D Models in some
analytical functions in construction management such as Resource allocation ,
Site utilization and Health & Safety management.
Apart from the utilization areas of 4D models in Project and construction
management, the BIM handbook 2011 is also provided some theoretical 4D
tool requirements such as: Import capabilities ,Export capabilities ,Data Reor-
ganizing ,Automatic linking and much more(Table 1). In addition, 4D BIM soft-
ware applications are expected to have Bi-directional data exchange capabilities
that enhances the application to reflect the modified data in one application to
the others ,and the ability to work as standalone application in managing any
project independently. The created 4D BIM model had been analyzed , the

Academia Letters preprint.

©2021 by the author – Open Access – Distributed under CC BY 4.0

5
real results were assessed according to the theoretical 4D tool requirements and
the utilization areas of 4D models in project management to draw up the final
conclusion of the study.

Table1: Evaluation criteria

4.SELECTED 4D BIM SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS Autodesk

Navisworks TM Manage 2013 Naviswork Manage is a BIM software used in
construction industry , helps architects, engineers and construction managers
review integrated models and data with stakeholders to gain comprehensive
control ,simulation, and analysis through the preconstruction and construction
phases in the project (Autodesk, 2013).Timeliner plug-in in Naviswork Manage
allows the user to connect the BIM files with schedules, by importing schedules
from various sources (Primavera, Ms. Project, MS. Excel). Time liner will
automatically update the simulation if the model or schedule changes (Kia,
2013). Naviswork Timeliner contains four main taps which are: Tasks, Data
Sources, configure, and Simulate. They are integrated together to produce the
4D model. In addition, The software has an ability to find items according to
category, type, and conditional status thanks to the information coming from
the design tool .For instance, the columns in ground floor level can be found and
selected using “Find items” tap and then a unique 3D set for these columns must

Academia Letters preprint.

©2021 by the author – Open Access – Distributed under CC BY 4.0

6
be created because they have their own task in the schedule that is separated
from the columns in the first floor that have their own set of 3D elements belongs
to their own task.
Synchro Professional V 4.8
Synchro Professional is a scheduling system that facilitates the linking of
design models from the Building Information Models (BIM) systems to the
associated tasks of a CPM schedule allowing user to create planning simulations,
play the animation and publish videos. Professional has a very close relationship
with Oracle Primavera P6, actual costs through “Expenses” task reports and
actual resources units assigned to tasks enabling the software to compatible
rescheduling for out spans at Gant chart in retained logic mode as well as
optimizing the critical path in (CPM) schedules (Synchro, 2013).
Costing can be added, resources (employees, materials, equipment) and tied
to tasks and the corresponding 3D elements. Companies can be created and
assigned to parts of the job, as well as, risks, such as wet weather (Day, 2010).
As a result, Synchro helps in creating 4D images slide show and producing 4D
video movie leading to strongly affect in controlling and monitoring the 4D
planning process through the construction phase of the project.
5. Results according to 4D BIM utilization as project management
tool
Schedule visualization and 4D simulation
There is no doubt that visualization is the main factor in 4D technology.
Naviswork and synchro are most likely similar in their schedule visualization
and 4D simulation capabilities .The real time navigation plays a vital factor
here in detecting errors in the logical sequence of the construction process.
However, the displayed Gantt chart in Synchro is more effective. It provides
the scheduler with the precedence relationship between tasks and compute the
critical path if changes occur , Moreover, Synchro offers Gantt chart reports
(Navis doesn’t) like resource utilization, cost analysis… etc.
On the other hand, the “configure” tap (Naviswork) and the “use profile”
(Synchro) are responsible to control the visualization setting according to the
user preference, especially in construction phase (Time monitoring) by applying
color scheming and transparencies of ongoing activities (Figure 2). Both of them
can visualize the sequence of work at any time of the activity by illustrating the

Academia Letters preprint.

©2021 by the author – Open Access – Distributed under CC BY 4.0

7
combination between graphical data(3D components) and non-graphical data
(Activity name, ID, percentage of completed work, early start, early finish,
etc.).Furthermore, Users can save viewpoints for future use and run the 4D
simulation according to them to show the work at any specific time of the
activity. In addition, they can walkthrough, flythrough and rotate the model
during the 4D simulation which can help in checking design errors and adding
comments to the related activity which reduce uncertainty (Figure 3).

Figure2: 4D simulation of the ongoing mechanical and electrical activity of

house model in Naviswork Manage. Date: 19/12/2013. (Naviswork Man-
age,2013).

Re-planning & introducing changes.

Sometimes, it is necessary to re-scheduling activities or modifying design
components. Thus, the flexibility in modifying works is a very important factor
in evaluating 4D BIM solutions. In our case study, A new schedule with hypo-
thetical actual dates was synchronized to Naviswork and Synchro. The results
showed that synchro has an advantage in this specific area over Naviswork.
The real advantage here is that Synchro can bring things such as resources,

Academia Letters preprint.

©2021 by the author – Open Access – Distributed under CC BY 4.0

8
Figure3: Real time navigation with potential design error detection. (Synchro
Professional V4.8)

calendars, companies , and has so many options for what can be synced and
how.
Both Synchro and Naviswork have the ability to merge and update models
if design change occurs or design errors are detected. The interoperability be-
tween Revit and Naviswork through “switchback” tool facilitates updating the
model without the need of re-linking the activities to selection sets in Navis-
work Timeliner . It seems to be complicated and time consuming However, it
saves links between tasks and 3D components when the design change occurs
or design error detected in 4D environment. The same can be done in synchro
by another workflow. Finally, the missing sink was modified in the model as
shown in figure 4.
6. CONCLUSIONS Building Information Modeling (BIM) is one of the
innovative and emerging technologies in the Architectural, Engineering and
Construction (AEC) industry. The two selected BIM applications (Naviswork
Manage and Synchro Professional) are from the most common used 4D BIM
software applications in the construction industry nowadays. The results em-
phasize that Naviswork Manage is most likely a BIM design review software
rather than a 4D scheduling and planning software.
Regarding to Synchro Professional , the flexibility of constructing time sched-
ules, the ability to determine the critical path , and the ability to customize
additional columns in the schedule such as resources and equipment and assign

Academia Letters preprint.

©2021 by the author – Open Access – Distributed under CC BY 4.0

9
Figure 4: Introducing changes: Sink added to the model (Synchro Professional
V4.8)

Figure 5:Comparing schedules in Synchro Professional V 4.8.

them to tasks as well as generating charts of resource utilization at any specific

point of time in the construction process accompanied with the 3D elements of
the building model within the 4D environment make a sense to briefly describe
Synchro as “ 4D scheduling software application for BIM Models” On
the other hand, Naviswork can be described as“BIM Review software ap-
plication with 4D capabilities”.

Academia Letters preprint.

©2021 by the author – Open Access – Distributed under CC BY 4.0

10
 Figure 6: Comparing schedules in Naviswork Manage 2013

References
Autodesk .(2014). Autodesk® Wiki help. Retrieved December 21,2013, from
http://help.autodesk.com/view/NAV/2014/ENU.

Carmichael,D.G.(1989).Construction engineering networks: techniques, plan-

ning and management.England /Chichester.Ellis Horwood limited.

Day,M.(2010,Sep.10). Synchro Professional. AEC Magazine. Retrieved Septem-

ber 10, 2013, from http://bim.typepad.com/synchro/2012/04/synchro-or-
navisworks-for-project-management.html.

Eastman,C.,Teicholz,P.Sacks,R.&Liston,K. (2011).BIM Handbook :A Guide to

Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers,

Academia Letters preprint.

©2021 by the author – Open Access – Distributed under CC BY 4.0

11
 and Contractors.2nd edn. New Jersy :John Wiley &Son,Inc.

Egan,J.(1998).Rethinking Construction, The Construction Task Force Report.

London: Department of trade and Industry. London, UK.

GSA.US General Services Administration. (2009).BIM Guide for 4D phasing .

Retrieved December03,2013 ,from http://www.gsa.gov /graphics /pbs/BIM
Guide series 04 v1.pdf.

Halpin,DW.(2005).Construction management.3rd edn. United state of Amer-

ica: JohnWiley &Son,Inc.

Hessom,D.,&Mahdjoubi,L.(2004). Trends of 4D CAD application for construc-

tion planning. Journal of Construction Management and Economics,22,171-
182.

Hergunsel,M.(2011). Benefits of Building Information Modeling For Construc-

tion Managers. Master thesis.(2011-), Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Eng-
land.

Hijazi,W.,Alkass,S.,&Zayed,T.(2009).Constructability Assessment Using BIM/4D

CAD Simulation model. Commercial Construction Magazine.8,91-105.

Jongeling,R.,&Olofsson,T.(2007). A Method for planning of workflow by com-

bined use of location-based scheduling and 4D CAD. Automation in Con-
struction.16,189-198.

Jung,Y.,&Joo,M. (2011). Building Information Modeling (BIM) framework for

practical implementation . Automation in construction. 20,126-133.

Kenley, R., Seppanen ,O.(2010).Location-Based Management for Construction:

Planning, Scheduling and Control .United States of America/ New York.
Taylor & Francis Group, Spon press.

Kia,S.(2013). Review of Building Information Modeling (BIM) Software Pack-

ages Based on Assets Management. Retrieved January 20, 2014,from http://
www.researchgate.net/ publication/253058808_Review_of_Building_Information_Modeling_(B
Management.

Academia Letters preprint.

©2021 by the author – Open Access – Distributed under CC BY 4.0

12
Koo,B.,&Fisher,M.(2000).Feasibility study of 4D CAD in commercial construc-
tion. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management. 126(4),251-
260

Mckinney,K.,Kim,J., Fisher,M., & Howard, C. (1996).Interactive 4D CAD,in

proceeding of the Third Congress in Computing in Civil Engineering, .CA(p.p383-
392). ASCE,Anaheim.

Sharma, A.(2009) .An Interactive Visual Approach to Construction Project

Scheduling. .Master’s Theses (2009 -). Marquette University, USA.

Synchro Software Ltd .2013. Synchro tutorials. from http://synchroltd.com/

synchro-professional-4-8/Retrieved December 20,2013.

Teicholz,P. (2004).Labor Productivity Declines in the Construction Industry:

Causes and Remedies. AEC bytes 4.

Velasco,A.(2013).Assessment of 4D BIM applications for Project management

functions. Master thesis(2013-).Polytechnic University of Valancia,Spain.

Vico software ® (2014),Virtual Construction Management Software, . Re-

trieved March 12, 2014 from http:// www.vicosoftware .com/ products/Vico-
Office/tabid/85286/.

Wikipedia.(2014).Virtual design & Construction (VDC).Retrieved February 14,

2014 from www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Virtual-design-and Construction.

Academia Letters preprint.

©2021 by the author – Open Access – Distributed under CC BY 4.0

13