3D-Based Crane Evaluation System for Mobile Crane Operation Selection on Modular-Based Heavy Construction Sites

Modular-based heavy industrial projects, which involve a large number of lifts on congested and/or dynamic site layouts, require not only the design and selection of efficient mobile crane operations but also rapid and accurate responses to design changes in the planning stage of the project to ensure successful project completion. Current tools have not yielded strategies that support informed decisions to select the most suitable mobile crane operation (e.g., the cycle time of the crane lift) among several alternatives. This paper proposes a three-dimensional-based crane evaluation system (3D-CES) which designs, verifies, and simulates three-dimensional (3D) visualization of mobile crane operation not only to support the selection of the most efficient crane operation but also to plan the crane lift schedule during crane lift studies based on identification of safety and productivity aspects. Furthermore, these aspects are shown to help increase efficiency, timeliness, and profitability of construction management through effective collaboration and communication. As demonstrated in a case study, 3D-CES can permit users to design and select the most suitable crane operation by providing crane digital lift information, even when frequent design changes, such as those to lifting sequences, crane locations, and material pick points, are encountered.