Visual Basic Application in Building Cost Estimation and Scheduling of a Residential Building in Primavera

Abstract

Visual basic applications are becoming increasingly popular in solving engineering related problems. Among the strong features of spread sheets are their instinctive cell-based structure and easy to use capabilities. Excel, for example, is a powerful spread sheet with VBA robust programming capabilities that can be a powerful tool for civil engineering concepts. Visual basic application can do basic calculations such as cost estimates, schedule and cost control, and mark-up estimation, as well as structural calculations of reactions, stresses, strains, deflections, and slopes. Spread sheets can solve complex problems, create charts and graphs, and generate useful reports. This project highlights the use of Excel spread sheet and VBA in civil engineering concepts and creating useful applications. The focus is on concepts related to construction management and building cost estimation using CPWD schedule of rates and to develop a user friendly cost estimation model that can help in estimating cost with reduction errors encountered during manual cost and reduction in time so that estimate can be delivered in no time. This project helps us to incorporate the basic concept of estimation with the help of excel and visual basic application. They need to therefore have an idea about the project construction costs, the time required to finish construction of a project in its conceptual phase, and about the implementation of feasibility study. Because due to associated risks, construction cost estimates and schedules are vital to any project. The research‟s objective is to develop a methodology that can be used to create an integrated computer model using Visual Basic Applications that helps owners and designers generate construction cost estimates, and derive the baseline schedule for any proposed building project in primavera at its feasibility stage.