  In this study, four-dimensional $N=1$ F-theory models with multiple U(1)
gauge group factors are constructed. A class of rational elliptic 4-folds,
which we call as "$\frac{1}{2}$Calabi-Yau 4-folds," is introduced, and we
construct the elliptically fibered 4-folds by utilizing them. This yields a
novel approach for building families of elliptically fibered Calabi-Yau 4-folds
with positive Mordell-Weil ranks. The introduced $\frac{1}{2}$Calabi-Yau
4-folds possess the characteristic property wherein the sum of the ranks of the
singularity type and the Mordell-Weil group is always equal to six. This
interesting property enables us to construct the elliptically fibered
Calabi-Yau 4-folds of various positive Mordell-Weil ranks. From one to six U(1)
factors form in four-dimensional F-theory on the resulting Calabi-Yau 4-folds.
We also propose the geometric condition on the base 3-fold of the built
Calabi-Yau 4-folds that allows four-dimensional F-theory models that have
heterotic duals to be distinguished from those that do not.
