As the Irish Government sets out its strategy for Building Information Modelling (BIM) to be used in the design, construction and operation of all public building projects, BIM software developer Graphisoft is boosting its presence in the country with the announcement of a new channel partnership. Graphisoft has signed a
A team of engineers from Cardiff University are looking into microscopic bacteria that could help create ‘self-healing’ buildings, offering the perfect protection against cracks and other deterioration. The two-year study has been exploring how damage could trigger the release of bacteria and a few other helping chemicals that will allow
As the Irish Government sets out its strategy for Building Information Modelling (BIM) to be used in the design, construction and operation of all public building projects, BIM software developer Graphisoft is boosting its presence in the country with the announcement of a new channel partnership. Graphisoft has signed a new reseller agreement with Irish software licensing specialist AxonWare, to meet increased demand for BIM software in the Irish design and construction industry. Dan McGovern, managing director of AxonWare said that they are expanding their portfolio and adding much-needed BIM capability to their product range. “With the addition of Graphisoft’s intuitive BIM software, ARCHICAD, we will be able to offer better service and more choice for architects, architectural technicians and BIM managers in Ireland,” McGovern said. “Given the Government’s announcement of new BIM requirements for public buildings and infrastructure projects in Ireland, we are now ideally placed to help our customers deliver projects that meet the new standards,” he added. Adrian Girling, managing director of Graphisoft UK, said: “The Irish construction market continues to post positive results and Graphisoft is increasing its investments and activities in the local market. “Ireland is a key element to our UK and Ireland business and we are committed to mirroring our success in the UK and expanding our customer base in Ireland.” On 21 November 2017, the Irish Government announced that as part of its digital technology strategy, BIM will be required for the design, construction and operation of all public buildings and infrastructure on a phased basis over the next four years. http://www.graphisoft.com
A team of engineers from Cardiff University are looking into microscopic bacteria that could help create ‘self-healing’ buildings, offering the perfect protection against cracks and other deterioration. The two-year study has been exploring how damage could trigger the release of bacteria and a few other helping chemicals that will allow buildings to repair themselves freely. When mixed with precursor chemicals, these microorganisms can produce mineral deposits such as calcium carbonate, which is a key component in rocks and other masonry materials. The study’s principal investigator, Dr Mike Harbottle, said bacteria could be “entombed” within spores of the mineral, alongside the precursor chemical. “When damage occurs to the masonry, the deposits within the mineral are also damaged, exposing both the bacteria and the chemicals, which react with each other again to produce even more mineral, thus healing the damage.” Buildings are constantly damaged by weathering. “These could be physical, chemical or biological changes which can all slowly attack the masonry structure,” said research fellow Magdalini Theodoridou. “Over time, usually many years, this damage builds up until fractures arise. Whilst these may not compromise the integrity of a structure immediately, if allowed to develop then damage may become critical.” During the study, the team will be developing ways of introducing the substances into the masonry either during the material production or after the buildings have gone up. A possible solution is thought to be the spraying of the building with a liquid containing the bacteria and other chemicals. The research is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship scheme.