Splitting up a design for a 4D simulation

Hi all

We're looking into incorporating the 3D models created by corridors into a BIM environment - specifically the 4D construction/ phasing simulation. From ORD 2018 Release 4.

What is the best way to export the model in sections for this purpose? This is the current (rather exhaustive) process I had in mind:

  • Create new dgn for IFC exports
  • Reference in corridors
  • Create series of clipping shapes for each phase/ time step
  • Clip referenced dgns to what each phase/ time step should look like
  • Export to IFC
  • Lather, rinse, and repeat for each time step

Now that's all well and good, but what about different layerworks in a corridor? Ideally a detailed, accurate 4D simulation would split up subgrade, subbase, base, and wearing course layers as well - not just chunks of completed corridors. The next question would be what about fill volumes - the constructed fills would have to be split up into layers of a specified thickness - can the cut/fill volumes meshes creates with the Create cut/fill volumes tool be split up into slices?

Perhaps this is quite a lengthy discussion rather than a simple question. I'm hoping ORD will eventually incorporate a tool to define splits in corridors (eg. only display base layer component from SV 0 to SV 100 etc.)

Thanks