Top 7 BIM Technologies Ready To Increase Construction Productivity

Today most of the Construction Industry is facing challenges with technology adoption to increase productivity in construction. Building Information Modeling (BIM), laser scanning, and virtual reality has also been used at a greater level in 2017 and has become a necessary practice for all construction firms in order to reduce wastage and rework which in turn reduces the budget of projects. BIM and laser scanning are becoming more commercially affordable, and despite the initial investment saves the organizations’ money in the long run by streamlining processes

bim technology

The technological advancements in the building sector are seeing boost these days. Are you aware of the latest BIM technologies in MEP industry that can seriously raise your construction productivity reducing the cost and rework? BIM is a real a big-shot in the construction industry, isn’t it? Working in BIM creates value from the combined efforts of people, process, and technology. In this article, let’s get familiar with exclusive BIM technologies poised to embrace the construction world and are ready to boost the productivity:

• Modular construction & Prefab
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Virtual/Augmented Reality
• Cloud App
• 3D Laser Scanning & Drones
• 3D Printing
• Green Building

Let’s expound…

BIM Trends in MEP Industry

BIM promises to be interesting. Introduction of new technologies and trends from last year are now becoming common and more infrastructure players are benefiting from cost lowering and thus achieving productive work processes. For those who want to raise BIM Projects to a higher level, here are the most significant trends to keep an eye on.

1. Modular Construction & Prefabrication

Modular construction system is getting traction in the current scenario. They are beneficial in reducing costs as well as boost the overall project process when building elements are ready to assemble in the workshop before actual construction. Prefabrication starts with prefab concrete walls and floors, fabricating many MEP elements in advance. The MEP engineers can now create prefab drawings based on the information for the workshop reducing the assembling time furthermore creating an efficient workflow from design to prefabrication and installation.

2. Internet of Things (IoT)

The installation sector has already standardized the intelligent ventilation system and smart thermostats.  The participation of technology giants like Apple, Google, and Samsung in the market make sure that the homes and buildings are becoming smarter than never before. However, modern technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) are also going to change the work of modelers in the building industry. For example, IoT offers an advantage when it comes to sharing BIM data to prefab workshops, modelers as well as suppliers. Modeling is becoming a lot easier, and credit goes to Cloud Apps. With exact data formats, the designing process has become more comfortable giving direct delivery to the construction site.  Thus, IoT can certainly help in changing the traditional working system of the installers.

3. Realm of Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality

There seems hike in using the virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies in the installation sector. Virtual Reality allows users to analyze 3D models through glasses like Oculus Rift. It is pretty much helpful in giving project presentations to the clients. Augmented Reality, on the other hand, merges the reality with virtual images. The best example of Augmented Reality is Microsoft HoloLens which is a promising training tool for conducting error testing on construction site. Let’s take an example, imagine a technician wearing AR glasses on site and an expert in the office remotely managing the job progress. Well, this still may be a dream in a queue for many, but you can surely keep an eye out for this in coming years.

4. Cloud Applications

The cloud collaboration is the new trend mainly reflecting use of mobile cloud applications in building sector. Different people from different locations view real-time construction as well as design data. All this needs a proper internet connection. Cloud-based apps are great examples which can efficiently collaborate in cloud right from design phase to delivery. The on-site engineers can also get access to the current information via the tablet, smartphone as well as PC. Thus, easy and fast sharing of BIM models with the building site and reporting from the building site reporting can efficiently facilitate a productive as well as qualitative collaboration.

5. Use of 3D Laser Scanners and Drones

2018 will undoubtedly bring more options for boosting BIM models with current information with the help of Point Cloud. Creation of Point Cloud model with 3D laser Scanning on the job-site is now possible. The scan consists all exact 3D dimensions of the site, and the data which is further used as a base for the BIM model, for example, Revit. The complicated projects where there is a need to manually measure the project components use this technology. On the other hand, Drone technology is emerging in building industry. The combination of point cloud and drone is useful in delivering accurate BIM models.

6. Advancements in Going Green

Green building is in boom these days. BIM ensures better chain cooperation as well as internal efficiency. The predictions of material quantity for the entire project is priorly given during the design phase, thus helping the buildings built with higher energy efficiency. Thanks to BIM, now the Prefab and modular constructions are applied during the operational phase of the project.  Also, in the later phase, huge savings can be made on energy costs and CO2 emission by making use of right products and materials. BIM also ensures that building can be demolished or recycled with fewer efforts as well as loss.

7. 3D printing

3D printing technology made massive progress in the building industry. The first house was completely 3D printed in the year 2017 with the help of 3D Printing technology. The technology has excellent potential for creating certain building elements in a brief time with the nominal material loss. 3D printing technology can be useful within BIM environment in many ways. It can be helpful in quickly making building prototypes for construction partners to view. It can also be useful for manufacturing components and prefab material. The 3D printing technology is going to make progress to a greater extent and is indeed worth keeping a watch on.

Conclusion

To conclude, the above BIM trends for 2018 are undoubtedly ready to transform the building industry. They are inevitably going to become essential for the construction industry to stay on top of the latest technologies. With the advancements in mixed reality and IoT, adopting the technology in coming years not only will prove absolute sustainability but also an effective project performance boosting productivity at par.

Also Read –  BIM Latest Technology

Source:http://blog.bimengus.com/top-7-bim-technologies-ready-to-increase-construction-productivity/

Holomeeting: Modern Tool For Collaborative Design

Introduction

The advent of Virtual reality, Augmented reality  as well as Mixed Reality, are marking its presence in construction as advancements in digital transformation. The introduction of this technology will undoubtedly change the scenario in the construction industry. Meetings are an integral part of Construction work. The team uses numerous remote meeting tools for communication. Here, we present HoloMeeting!  An exclusive remote meeting tool that can support the collaborative design which is equally essential as BIM.

With the introduction of HoloLens a few years back, the owners got a chance to explore a unique new dimension for the creative working process. Fast forward to today and the numerous possibilities triggered by extraordinary technologies like Augmented reality are in use today. For the building and construction industry, across all phases right from initial design to ongoing building maintenance and repair, the technologies have positive real-life implications that could outstandingly disrupt the industry.

Before we jump on HoloMeeting tool, let’s see what Virtual Augmented and Mixed reality are.

Virtual, Augmented, Mixed?

Are you aware of Mixed Reality? Let’s discover what it is and how it can benefit the construction industry. There are numerous immersive technologies in the market including augmented reality and virtual reality which not only creates confusion but can also create chaos and misunderstandings about their use in commercial perspective.

Augmented Reality

It is a type of virtual augmentation that is uninformed by real-world data in any way and instead it uses Geo place markers to allow data to float against its real-world location. Smartphones as well as tablets nowadays uses Augmented reality.

The technology thus has a broad exposure in consumer and industry arena. The most famous example of Augmented reality is the Pokémon Go App which created boom all across the globe.

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality tech most popular nowadays. The virtual reality helmet and goggles are famous. Using these, the users get fully immersed in a virtual world where every facet has been presented digitally. Currently, the virtual headsets are gaining a lot of momentum and are proving useful for training purposes especially within the construction industry and gaming industry as well.

Mixed Reality

Mixed reality is the intersection between augmented reality and virtual reality where real-world positional data inform every virtual presence. The best examples are Hologram. Using transparent smart goggles or helmet, the user can easily see holograms placed within their actual environment. The computing is done via the headsets itself, and thus, their remote access is possible. Mixed reality can widely use for commercial and industrial purpose.

Appealing, Hands-Free And Adaptable

The current industry is making use of augmented as well as virtual reality at its best. But, still, there are some technical limitations which have hindered their use in industry. For augmented reality, it is the inability of real-world positioning and the physical screen limitations of mobiles as well as tablets. For virtual reality, it is the restricted or tethered nature of headsets that holds the technology back. There are more viable commercial and industrial uses for both AR and VR technologies. However, when it comes to adoption of these technologies in remote support, design and collaborative support- it is the mixed reality that is leading its way.

Mixed Reality for Design and Collaboration

From a design and collaboration concern, the mixed reality is a technology that helps in bridging the gap in current industrial processes. The use of this technology is making the industry more dynamic, efficient and collaborative. In the present scenario, the industrial clients want to innovate and implement new technologies and techniques (such as BIM for the construction industry), and yes, many limitations are holding them back for such implementation.

Any solution?

Yes, HoloMeeting!

HoloMeeting

 

The technology that will support and allow the industries to cleverly use mixed reality technology as a support tool for existing processes and increase the adoption of Holocene for commercial purpose.

The AEC  industry is a prime audience that will undoubtedly get benefit from HoloMeeting. Let’s explore what it is exactly.

Introduction to HoloMeeting

The construction industry is emerging with lots of innovations and introduction of new technologies. Digital transformation is something that is a long and painful process in construction. Even with BIM implementation, it is necessary for all the stakeholders to be on board with the same file types and at the same location.

To avoid this, here comes HoloMeeting!

With the support of over 60 various file types, HoloMeeting is becoming an ultimate industry concept with numerous assets able to be ported into holographic work spaces, including BIM assets like Revit as well as support for other 3D file types too. Also, there is also support for 2D file types such as PDF documents. This means that meetings can be held efficiently without users to be in the same room and with all information from both 2D as well as 3D assets available to move forward.

Working of HoloMeeting

HoloMeeting is a remote collaboration tool using Microsoft HoloLens which can easily handle the on-job maintenance as well as communication work in efficient way.

Holomeeting can immediately connect all stakeholders across the building and design system. It enhances the fluidity in working which boosts efficiency increasing the transparency across the complete building process.

HoloMeeting allows no organizing of meetings months before for international teams. Whereas, it brings together everyone in the same space straight away.

HoloMeeting does not serve as a replacement for current practices whereas, it supports them to make more efficient and enriching to boost the productivity as well as quality.

Role of HoloMeeting In the Construction industry

The HoloLens is a technology exclusively  introduce for the construction sector. It is all set to resolve the bothersome issues of inefficiency industry suffers from. As of now, HoloMeeting is set to become a crucial part of a digital transformation in construction. It acts a bridge within this transformation, adding value across a range of verticals. HoloMeeting can efficiently used for board meetings as it can assist field engineers with their repairs. It is a collaborative tool to use within a broad range and not to replace anything.

Conclusion

Where collaborative design is concerned, the application is already in the phase where there is a need for promotion of collaboration. With the use of HoloMeeting, Designers, architects, and engineers now do not have to live in HoloLens, whereas, they can directly jump into design meetings whenever they want and even can pick up where they left off.

HoloMeeting is exclusively for those who live as well as breathe BIM every day.  And yes, It is emerging as a beneficial addition towards the digital construction.

Source: http://blog.bimengus.com/holomeeting-modern-tool-collaborative-design/