Comparison of 3D Construction Visualization Methods to Provide Visual Support in Gis Environment for the Construction Projects

Abstract

The development of 3 dimensional (3D) display technologies led to the widespread 3D designs and applications in construction industry. The major developments that offer visual presentation for the construction projects are 4D CAD, BIM and nD modeling. In addition, 3D GIS applications that use visualization features of GIS are also available. Unlike CAD tools, GIS software provide spatial data about construction for project participants. According to the previous studies, converting 2D CAD drawings into 3D data layers that refer to each construction activity is an efficient method. It is possible to transfer and edit them in GIS through data interoperability. Besides, 3D modeling and editing tools such as 3D Studio Max and SketchUp enables the realistic design with their material library and texture features. These modeling software can transfer data directly into GIS. In this study, two available 3D building visualization methods to provide visual support in GIS environment for the construction projects were compared. AutoCAD, SketchUp and ArcGIS were utilized for modeling, data transfer, editing and 3D visualization. 3D data transfer processes between these software were also discussed and multipatch geometry type that is supported by ArcGIS was emphasized. A reinforced concrete construction in Eskisehir, Turkey was determined as the study area for the case study. In consequence of the study, it was discovered that while the feature class objects that were transferred from CAD to GIS have 2D geometry, multipatch objects are in 3D geometrically thereby more realistic. Irregular 3D objects cannot be defined in feature class but they can be created in SketchUp and transferred into GIS as multipatch. On the other hand, each layers corresponding to the construction activities should be drawn individually in SketchUp.