Why is Geometric Design More Vital to Offsite Construction than Data?

For offsite construction, the focus should not be just on data but also on the geometric design. Lee Mullin of Autodesk states this opinion that is a renowned name in the construction industry.

Here we are proceeding to address the influence of geometric design in the construction industry. Especially it holds vitality in the offsite construction.

From the release of the Farmer Review- Modernise or Die, in the UK, people perceive that the industry is moving towards offsite construction.

However, discussions with many contractors revealed that they consider offsite construction only as an option. They follow it when there is a tight schedule, or some other unavoidable restrictions make it compulsory. So, they usually consider it as an afterthought.

Since, last decade, this approach of offsite construction was in question. But now, it has been looked upon as an advanced movement made by the government. Their reports endorsed offsite construction, and so, the rest of the construction industry caught up with this trend.

The benefits of this strategy are visible enough. The most significant advantages occur when you consider this offsite construction at earlier stages. When you embed it as a part of design process, you can see the changes in the report of Digital Built Britain from Bryden Wood.

What can be done to adopt the strategy?

So, if adoption of a strategy requires changes in the design process, then its correct time to inculcate BIM processes. To improve the flow of information and reduce the risks of working on old or deficient knowledge, UK standards like PAS1192-2 are essential. They ensure that the association on site is active.

There was much discussion about BIM in the UK, regarding the data importance and the usage of standards like Cobie.

This standard is essential for quite a range of tasks like maintenance and operations processes. Also, it can even be useful earlier in the method of procurement. Basically, offsite construction succeeds or fails by the geometric design information’s quality.

What should be done to implement offsite construction?

When we move towards a construction process in building and infrastructure output, we have to be aware of the specific techniques. Clash management, Building Intolerances, Clash Detection, and Expansion Joints are some terms which you should know. We should also understand the materials, interfaces, and components for maintaining the quality of the built property.

Consider if the car manufacturers released their models without quality testing and running multiple checks on each model. Would we still purchase and feel safe to drive them?

We can keep the LAX approach to design tolerances, and then verify construction within the set tolerances. We can even notably follow up when there are errors due to schedules, even with a transparent approach of the projects. But, it doesn’t act on a ‘manufacture and assembly’ approach to buildings.

The errors should be avoided

The undesirable effect of non-coordination and poor design can result in the elements not fitting, and they may need a manual change on-site. Further, there may leakage problems, reduced energy performance, and non-maintainable parts could create havoc. Also, there can be changes that may wait many weeks for an alternative.

This situation already happens with some offsite construction elements, for example, windows and doors. On a larger-scale, it can get considered as tolerance stack-up, where the items can have an error of –/+ 3mm. But, when you multiply this effect across any assembled part, all the faults could turn into centimeters, which affects the fitting of each piece.

There exist two solutions to this-

• First, to build with higher tolerances, this also comes with the implications of costs.
• Second, is to cover up these errors in the design itself by working like the MEP Fabricators.  You can continue developing the LODs of BIM.

We can eliminate design inefficiencies in the process of converting 2D drawings automatically from the 3D models. Also, parametric modeling reduces the uncertainties of mistakes when doing a change. Each adjustment scatters across prototypes, 2D sheets and plans.

Most hardware manufacturers rely primarily on Numeric Control (NC) files to recognize dimensions, shapes, positions, angles, and notches. They mostly come from the 2D inputs of fabrications drawings. Therefore, we need to ensure that 2D documentation is in-sync with the team members. Also, the first level to check that the digital model can be functional is a model-based approach.

Conclusion

Of course, we can’t ignore the value of data in the construction industry. In fact, the ideal situation here will be having high-quality data as well as geometric design. But, let’s not go ahead only personally: the significant tasks our construction industry has to work are- sharing knowledge and decreasing waste and repeated work.

If we wish to do better, we should first tackle the errors we still make every day.

Source: http://blog.bimengus.com/geometric-design-construction-industry/

Use of IoT And Sensor Technology In Construction Industry

Introduction

Internet of Things (IoT) and sensor technology are robust and fast-growing technologies in the current construction sector. The ever-evolving building industry can undoubtedly reap enormous advantages using these technologies. The worker's safety, cost reduction, and predictive maintenance are among some of the compelling benefits.
Utilization of this technology collects massive amounts of data and provides different types of analysis beneficial at construction job-sites.
Descriptive: Reflects the current environmental conditions as well as conditions of construction equipment.
Predictive: An Effective forecast of potential malfunctions or safety risks.
Prescriptive: Provide ways to optimize the workflow and avoid delays and issues.
Let’s catch the scenario of construction world as for how they are reaping the benefits of IoT and sensor technology.

Predictive Maintenance with sensor technology

The construction equipment fitted with sensors generate valuable data about elements such as temperature, weight capacity, light, and chemicals. The information is further used to influence decisions made to maintain a schedule. Also, the overall safety of a construction site is taken care regarding fire safety, energy use, worker capacity as well as general wear and tear.
Many of the construction organizations face cost issues and budgeting regarding the construction project. Thus, maintaining these assets is vital to avoiding crucial errors as well as expensive repairs or replacements. Also, regular maintenance is another balancing act to ensure that it occurs without affecting current projects and continues functioning intelligently.
Usage of sensor-based technology enables its users to conduct maintenance which eventually helps reducing costs regarding the depth of the repair as well as avoiding delays in the project timeline.
The technology not only monitors the condition of construction assets but also communicates with the users regarding its exact status and alerts them when maintenance is due.
Sensors are a smart and intelligent way to alert operators as to when maintenance may become necessary. For example, sensors alert if a particular area is too hot for a specific type of equipment. The users thus can take paramount steps to reduce the temperature or can pause the activity until conditions cool down.

Internet of Things- IoT in construction

Sensor technology and the maintenance framework mainly rely on IoT technology. The network connectivity enables them to gather, exchange and communicate data in a natural way. In addition to sensor-based appliances, on-site workforce can make use of IoT enabled devices. It includes wearable accessories for their safety and betterment.
Biometric wearables can supervise worker’s heart rate, temperature, and other signs as well as alert safety managers in case of any mishap.
Weight-bearing sensors help to track workers in the field to make sure that they are aware of job-site hazards and different injury risks. Various innovations are in beta phase to improve job-site risks. A connected safety shoe which is sensor enabled is designed to alert workers if they lift a load above the recommended weight


Read More:- http://blog.bimengus.com/iot-sensor-technology/

How Internet Of Things Reshape The Construction Industry

Introduction

Construction industry always has a productivity problem. Most of the projects run overtime as well as over budget. Thus, the industry is relatively slower than others at adapting to modern changes. And yes, it costs companies in millions. Research says large projects are taking up to 20% longer to finish than scheduled  running up to 80% over budget. Is there any way to change the scenario? Other industries like manufacturing, have switched to the Internet of Things (IoT) and many other latest technologies to help uncover productivity growth. Why not could IoT be the key to construction then?

Internet Of Things (IoT) – What Exactly It Is?

Internet of Things also known as IoT is making rounds in the modern tech world since years. There many facts stating how IoT can make our homes, industries as well entire cities “Smart.” We are likely to witness the emergence of intelligent tools & technologies in the construction industry. Whereas, what will disrupt the industry is the use of IoT that can help improve the maintenance and repair of machinery as well as the construction vehicles.

Repair and maintenance is a thing that has a massive effect on the construction industry. Survey says proper equipment maintenance is one of the excellent ways companies can achieve most out of their investment. Whereas, the equipment downtime can sometimes lead to the shutdown of the complete project, costing thousands or millions of dollars.

IoT in construction

Internet of Things in Construction Industry

On construction site, IoT enables companies to manage the problem of equipment downtime. IoT can surely help tracking assets, ensuring that they never get stolen or lost. The loosing or seizing of assets is mostly an issue on large-scale construction sites causing delays in productivity.

The use of IoT is proving valuable on construction sites like monitoring of equipment and repair. The sensors enable machinery to detect and communicate maintenance requirements. They also send automated alerts for preventive maintenance. Thus, increases efficiency by remotely monitoring fuel consumption. IoT helps businesses to make sure that their construction vehicles and machines are used for best possible times boosting on-site productivity.

For this technology to indeed disrupt the construction industry, it is necessary to back it up with some reliable connectivity. If an IoT device loses its connectivity and not able to send data in real time, then the tracking of assets or vehicles will witness a downfall.

Conclusion

According to research, labor productivity growth in the construction industry has averaged only 1% a year since past two decades as compare with the increase of 2.9% for the total world economy.

However, if construction industry can match the productivity growth of the overall economy, it would undoubtedly boost the sector’s value by adding about 2% to the global economy a year.

Internet of Things  will surely be a key ingredient in uncovering this productivity. It can ensure construction companies have access to real-time data. It will improve machine performance, undertake preventative maintenance, cut the downtime and repair the costs. By keeping an eye towards this approach, construction leaders can ensure their work is both productive, effective as well as future-proofed.

Source: http://blog.bimengus.com/internet-of-things-in-construction-industry/

World’s Top 10 Construction Companies

Have a look at each construction company which made up their way to this list of top ten!

10. Laing O’Rourke

This British-based company is quite young as contrasted to few of the fellow top-tenners of this list but still has expanded at a faster rate. Also, this company has worked on several high-profile projects in the past decade, including Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 and Ascot Racecourse. Further, it has its current involvement in the vast overseas project of Al Raha Beach expansion in Abu Dhabi, Dubai.

09. Royal BAM Group

This company is famous for building Ajax football club’s Amsterdam Arena in its native Netherlands in 1996. Notably, it got founded in 1886 in Holland. Additionally, the full form of the abbreviation BAM is – ‘Bataafsche Aanneming Maatschappij,’ which in English becomes ‘Batavian Construction Company for Construction and Concrete Projects.’ This company has around 27,000 people in it.

08. Kiewit

This Nebraska-based company is different on this list because its employees own it. That means almost every staff member of the project is a shareholder. Most noteworthy, the company ranked in Engineering News-Record’s Top 400 Contractors in 2013, at the third position.

07. Bouygues Construction

This French company, in the mid-1990s grew into telecoms, which served as another primary income stream. Also, it employs over 130,000 people in 80 separate countries. Further, its secondary firm, Colas Group, specializes in road and rail track construction.

06. Balfour Beatty

The multinational has headquarters in London, and the company is an integral part of the Crossrail project in the UK capital. Notably, this company was founded in 1909 by George Balfour and Andrew Beatty. It runs in over 80 countries around the world, and some 40,000 people work for the company.

05. Skanska

This is a Sweden based company which operates in the commercial, residential, and infrastructure sectors. In the US, the multinational is famous for building the Meadowland Sports Complex, made for NFL’s New York Jets and Giants. Skanska also hires over 50,000 persons.

04. Hochtief

This German company serves in the US via its Turner subsidiary. It focuses on infrastructure projects more. The Hochtief has around 80,000 people and celebrates its 145th anniversary this year. Further, the Spanish contractor- Grupo ACS owns a majority stake in the organization of more than 50% since 2011.

03. Bechtel

The most significant US contractor has served on some high-profile projects like the Hoover Dam which completed back in 1936. Some more projects include- The Trans-Alaska Pipeline system in the ‘70s, and also the ‘Big Dig’ Central Artery project ended in 2007. The company has over 53,000 people from all over the globe.

02. Grupo ACS

This Spanish contractor firm got formed in 1997 due to the merger of two other construction organizations. Also, it left behind several high-profile properties even that of Hochtief. The company built the Alqueva Dam in Portugal. Also, it produced Torre Espacio and Torre de Cristal skyscrapers in its native country.

01. Vinci

This French company is 115-year-old which surpasses revenues of almost every privately-owned construction company in this world. It has especially achieved this position through smart possessions and robust delivery of high-end, large-scale projects. For example, the Gariep Dam in South Africa, completed in 1971 and also the Stade de France.

Notably, this field was for the Football World Cup of 1998, and it now is France’s National Stadium. The group employs over 183,000 people. Further its projects include- the €440 million express-lane highway system in Atlanta, Georgia and also the Wheatstone Liquefied Natural Gas Project in Australia.

BEST WAYS FOR ENHANCED CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTIVITY

Construction Productivity

The rate at which any work is performed is termed “productivity.” It’s a magnitude relation of production output to what’s needed to provide it. The measure of construction productivity is outlined as a complete output of total input.
The construction industry expresses output regarding weight, length, or volume. On the other hand, the input resource is usually the value of labor or man-hours. There are several standards obtainable within the industry for contractors as reference values for functions of construction price estimation. These standards could vary in costs however most are similar in theory.
The construction business is setting out to create productivity a priority as prices from inefficiency still soar. Even minor inefficiencies may result in significant costs. Take work on attributable to poor document management as an example. A freelance study discovered that such action will value the maximum amount of 4.2 billion a year within the U.S. alone. Insulation construction productivity as full prices the U.S. world economy of 1.6 trillion bucks a year. Misleadingly tiny gaps in productivity add up to unconscionable prices that became just too high to ignore any more.

To enhance the construction industry and to raise the construction site efficiency, growing construction productivity must be top priority in future. But here’s the thing—when construction productivity will increase, everybody edges, mainly the contractor for:

• Quicker completion of construction projects
• Project prices are reduced
• Contractors will bid a lot of competitively
• The overall plan is a lot of profitable

5 effective ways to increase construction productivity

If minor inefficiencies result in huge prices, then even progressive enhancements to construction productivity on the work on site save contractors plenty of your time and cash. So, how to improve construction productivity? The answer lies in the 5 ways mentioned below.

1. Implement technology (faster)

When it involves increasing construction productivity, adopting new technology is probably going the quickest path with the most important payoff. New technologies like onsite productivity code, project management code and building data modeling code will virtually eliminate wait times. It also cuts back expensive processes.

2. Improve coming up with additional knowledge

It goes while not voice communication coming up with can improve construction productivity. You begin by analyzing the whole construction method from end-to-end on previous jobs to find and verify productivity weaknesses and strengths. If issues or changes arise throughout construction, then opt for re-planning. Rising knowledge use is imperative for increasing construction site efficiency. Above all, for groups using BIM, enabling every team member to input their data into one model thus is often evaluated as a team from the start of a project. This can deliver immense gains in productivity by dramatically decreasing building method waste.
However, it’s not enough to use additional knowledge in current coming up with processes. Contractors ought to conjointly attempt to research understanding from previous come to spot and eliminate barriers to construction productivity. By developing metrics deciding how correct current coming processes are, contractors will then set realistic benchmarks to confirm improvement.

3. Increase the Use of prefabrication

With an outsized project comes repetition—with several repetitive parts, you’ll prefabricate in a mill. Instead of building each from scratch on site, always prefer to opt for prefabrication. However, several are unaware that the use of ready-made parts does not solely decrease prices, however, conjointly will increase quality. In fact, according to Civil and Environmental Engineer, Paul Teicholz, “If you place the right design content for fabrication into the look from the start, you’ll win an awfully vital improvement.”

4. Move towards Shorter, Team-Friendly Contracts

“Draconian” contracts still impede productivity and impact very second line of projects. Once every party seeks to supply the maximum amount, it makes it harder for team members to have interacted directly with one another. This furthermore increases the chance of errors and discrepancies that cause inefficiency. Instead of beefing up your legal team, current construction negotiations would act to follow the lead of Japan and Korea, wherever shorter contracts need less legal mediation and a lot of direct engagement from team members. During this state of affairs, issues and solutions are mentioned entirely and brazenly, and compensation is prearranged with less legal involvement. All of this serves to boost overall productivity of a construction project.

5. Improve Communication Methodology

Productivity impacts everybody on the duty website. However, contractors will shift the dynamic on their projects by human action the importance of productivity to the complete team. The development company ought to expressly thus licit suggestions from staff on the way to improve productivity. They also incentivize them to try to do so. However, you’ll be able to conjointly transcend analog modes of communication and leverage construction collaboration and/or productivity software system to boost communication across all of your groups. Exploitation such software system will enable an employee to instantly communicate an amendment or error to managers who will grow the project unnecessarily or lower value performance.

Inference

Changes that result in inefficiencies have an effect on schedule and price performance throughout the development trade. This furthermore leads to significant schedule slips and price overruns. Though a scarcity of productivity is that primary issue tributary to those adverse outcomes, there are several fast and straightforward ways to create productivity enhancements which will have a dramatic result on your bottom line. Adopting new technology and exploiting a lot of knowledge within the designing method are merely two of the foremost expedient suggests that to scale back inefficiencies.