NBS, who have been monitoring BIM adoption in the UK for almost a decade have announced their 2019 BIM survey results which show that overall trends of BIM awareness and adoption have grown from little more than 10% in 2011 to around 70% in 2019. Although the latest report, which
Travis Perkins, the UK’s largest supplier of building materials, has used innovative virtual reality technology to train over 1,000 drivers who work across the Group’s CCF, BSS and Keyline businesses, to deliver significant environmental benefits. The virtual reality method has been used to help improve learning as part of the
Bournemouth Tourism has partnered with independent global creative agency Crowd to deliver a new website for Bournemouth Beach Lodges. The site promotes beachside accommodation on the south coast of England, in the style of the traditional British beach huts, but with modern conveniences for the tourists. The visual and verbal
Capgemini will enter into a new partnership agreement with Autodesk, a leader in 3D design, engineering, construction and entertainment software, to deploy ReflectIoD, a new cloud-enabled and secure digital twin platform. The new Building Information Modelling (BIM) platform for building and infrastructure operators integrates natively 1D to 3D, point cloud,
A pioneering Scottish engineering design specialist has become one of the first independent consultancies to exploit the advantages of IDEA STatiCa, the first software in the world which can design and check all steel connections and joints regardless of complexity. Applied Engineering Design (AED), which has offices in Edinburgh and Bath,
Leading UK packaging supplier, Kite Packaging, has relaunched its custom tape offering, focusing on improved user experience through new technology as a part of the order process. The employee-owned business has also significantly expanded the range of packaging tapes that customers have available to brand. Businesses throughout the UK
As with most industries, evolving technology is changing the way that the construction industry operates. With engineers increasingly using software for architectural purposes, could we also see other roles within the industry change too e.g. robots performing manual tasks, or building design via virtual reality (VR)? In this article,
Building a home is a rewarding and exciting project. Planning every step and making decisions about the project is a huge responsibility. Also, it can be a daunting experience, even for skilled people. Evaluating the project before starting can make the process go smoothly. So if you to build your
Arthur Online – the cloud-based property management platform – has made property management simpler by integrating with Advanced Tenant Referencing and Signable. You can now manage the tenant onboarding process from end-to-end using the Arthur Online app or desktop platform, without a single piece of paper exchanging hands. This new
Structural drafting is the foundation of any construction project. The ideas in our mind are given life in the form of drawings. Computer-aided tools are invaluable to architects and engineers in creating precision drawings or illustrations. The structural industry has embraced software to help in the creation of engineering drawings.
NBS, who have been monitoring BIM adoption in the UK for almost a decade have announced their 2019 BIM survey results which show that overall trends of BIM awareness and adoption have grown from little more than 10% in 2011 to around 70% in 2019. Although the latest report, which received more than 1,000 responses, does show a 1% decline in adoption, NBS remains confident that BIM will continue to embed itself in workflows as construction continues to move in a positive direction, embracing collaborative and digital ways of working. Commenting on this Dr Stephen Hamil, Innovation Director for NBS said, “In the early days of BIM, some may have equated it to simply generating drawings from a model. “There is now a wider understanding that BIM is about project teams following a common process based on standardised information and collaboration. We think we’re seeing a period of consolidation – where more people understand what BIM really represents and are embedding that into their workflows.” The survey shows that there has been a trend of increasing BIM awareness and adoption across the UK industry, using standards and protocols as the platform for this. This national success will be bolstered with the new ISO 19650 series, creating a standardised digital process across the world based, in part, on the BS 1192 standards. This BIM Report 2019 lists some of the main barriers to the adoption of BIM, such as lack of client demand, the need for training, the time required to get up to speed and a lack of standardised tools. NBS says it has sought to align the NBS content and software to the ISO method of working to allow its customers to more easily produce BIM deliverables within their project teams for clients. NBS Chief Executive Richard Waterhouse commented, “We have seen some negative trends within the report that might suggest the emergence of a ‘two speed industry’ – the ‘BIM engaged’ and the ‘BIM laggards’. “For the advocates, 60% of those who have used BIM have seen improvements in efficiencies whilst 22% of those yet to use BIM have indicated they would rather not adopt it. “In addition, the demand from clients, on both private and government projects, is mixed. The survey suggests that not all clients across the industry are seeing the benefits of BIM. We would expect this to increase as BIM, defined by ISO 19650, becomes more commonplace. “Once teams have had a good experience of working collaboratively using digital processes then they will demonstrate the benefit to the client. The client will then, in turn, request that this process is followed on subsequent projects.” The 2019 NBS survey also indicates that there has been a drop-in awareness of UK Government activities in this area despite the fact that Government’s initiatives led to the ISO standards that were launched at the end of 2018. This drop could be explained by recent changes such as the replacement of the BIM Task Group by the Centre for Digital Built Britain (CDBB). It may take time to rebuild this position in the market. There are however a number of key projects underway, involving Government, industry and academia which may drive greater awareness that will be seen in the 2020 survey. Richard Waterhouse continued, “Overall, there can be no doubt that digital processes and technologies are changing the industry. “Use of the cloud is enabling collaboration, giving the industry the opportunity to break down the silos and form a new approach to information development and distribution. “In addition, the latest International Standards are giving us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to standardise processes across the global industry. This is an exciting time, and we must now take advantage of it to help create a step-change in productivity, transparency and quality within our industry. “At NBS, we have already played a significant role in the UK’s BIM journey and we will continue to do so as we move towards a global digital construction industry. “We have supported the BSI committees that have developed BIM standards, as well as supporting the BIM Task Group’s original core initiatives, where we developed, published and now maintain the Uniclass 2015 classification system, defined in the UK as the system for classifying information on BIM projects in BS EN ISO 19650-2. “This year, our journey to support the global BIM world takes a giant leap forward as we launch a global platform for BIM-related content. “Our ground-breaking cloud specification tool, NBS Chorus, has connected specification clauses, technical guidance and manufacturer specifications for North America, the UK and Australia, dynamically linked to geometry objects and standards, technical and regulatory data. We have, and will continue to develop digital content and to enhance our software offerings to support global BIM processes” For further information about NBS and to download the report please visit https://www.thenbs.com/knowledge/national-bim-report-2019
Travis Perkins, the UK’s largest supplier of building materials, has used innovative virtual reality technology to train over 1,000 drivers who work across the Group’s CCF, BSS and Keyline businesses, to deliver significant environmental benefits. The virtual reality method has been used to help improve learning as part of the Group’s Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) compliance training, which is recognised by the FORS scheme. Using virtual reality has enabled Travis Perkins to facilitate learning in a quicker and more accessible way, and the method enabled the company to use its own Driver of the Year, Richard Ellson, in the simulations, taking drivers through his journey and showing them his view of the road from behind the wheel, and showcasing in practical and visible terms how he handles obstacles along local roads. Travis Perkins delivered the training through group workshops, where each driver who took part was provided with a set of virtual reality goggles and workbooks that were signed off after each exercise by the facilitator. The three businesses which took part have already seen significant benefits; saving more than 466,000 litres in fuel in 2018 as a result of improved Miles Per Gallon. Head of Fleet for Travis Perkins, Karl Wilshaw, said: “It’s been great to be part of this milestone training, and inspiring to see the ability that virtual reality has to reach our drivers and bring scenarios to life. This type of training has completely transformed the way we can show how drivers should conduct walk-around checks, drive more fuel efficiently, manoeuvre vehicles and handle road risk challenges. Thanks to The Resources Group who shaped the initial idea, we have been able to develop, build and deliver the programme.” “We specialise in material handling and safety training to raise standards of workplace training, and have worked closely with Karl and his team to integrate the virtual technology training. It’s been good to see how this training has enabled drivers to immersive themselves in their own environment, and how we have been able to use Travis Perkins’ own people to share knowledge and achieve some excellent results. We feel that integrating this innovative approach to learning offers an array of pathways and prospects for future training opportunities, and we very much look forward to pursuing these further,” said Head of Strategic Relationships for Katie Robinson, The Resources Group. Travis Perkins will continue its commitment to improving safety and fuel economy on the roads with the development of technology, such as the introduction of electric vehicles, and by engaging and rewarding colleagues who successfully reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
Bournemouth Tourism has partnered with independent global creative agency Crowd to deliver a new website for Bournemouth Beach Lodges. The site promotes beachside accommodation on the south coast of England, in the style of the traditional British beach huts, but with modern conveniences for the tourists. The visual and verbal identity The project followed the existing brand guidelines and used photography supplied by the client. The brand-new website highlights the benefits of staying in the luxury beach lodge accommodation with attractive images of the interior and the surrounding areas. A dedicated page was created to display the nearby attractions such as Corfe Castle, the New Forest and various water-sport activities. The visuals reflect what awaits visitors on their beach lodge break and position Bournemouth as a great holiday destination. The colour scheme invokes feelings of a coastal sunrise and the typography is reminiscent of the heyday of the British Seaside in the 1930s, but with a contemporary feel. Subtle animations were used on calls to action that represent the sea rushing up the beach to provide a visual reward for those about the click. “Creating an excellent mobile experience was always key to maximising bookings and search engine rankings. With a reliance on large inspirational images, we needed to ensure that the mobile site was fast and easy to use, whilst retaining the focus on photography which was essential to generating excitement in the visitor,” said Graham Dell, Projects Director at Crowd. The website was developed on WordPress as it allows the client to edit the content of the site. Crowd built a bespoke content editor that provides an easy means to edit existing pages and create new landing pages for paid or social marketing. It provides a good balance between inspirational photography and essential information for the tourists.
Capgemini will enter into a new partnership agreement with Autodesk, a leader in 3D design, engineering, construction and entertainment software, to deploy ReflectIoD, a new cloud-enabled and secure digital twin platform. The new Building Information Modelling (BIM) platform for building and infrastructure operators integrates natively 1D to 3D, point cloud, geographical information, and Internet of Things (IOT) data while offering value added services to improve operations and maintenance. This agreement is a step towards meeting the ever growing needs of enterprises for standardized brownfields management along their entire lifecycle. The world’s population is expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, with 75% living in cities. Globalization and urbanization are driving unprecedented demand for new and rehabilitated buildings and infrastructure. Given this context, a BIM single source of truth enabling data centric collaboration across the extended enterprise is a requirement. Capgemini’s services in Digital Engineering and Manufacturing are leading the convergence of the physical and digital worlds to boost its clients’ competitiveness. Its solutions, particularly for the AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) sector, leverage model intelligence, digital workflows and powerful data insights to shape smart factories and assets, comfortable and secure buildings, and data-enabled infrastructure towards an efficient, sustainable and livable future. Backed by Capgemini and Autodesk’s expertise, ReflectIOD will provide operators with consistent services from handover to operations, including design reviews in operations, progressive handover and commissioning, support for real time diagnosis and inspections, IoT alerting to prevent fluctuations, remote assistance and asset revamping. “The essence of a digital twin is data- centric collaborations. Capgemini’s agreement with Autodesk will provide BIM operators with a unique cloud- enabled and secured digital twin platform. This collaboration gathers a unique set of digital transformation skills and technologies,” said Jean-Pierre Petit, Director of Digital Manufacturing at Capgemini. The platform integrates Autodesk Forge APIs and geographical information systems, as well as Capgemini integration services and platforms such as X-IoT for device management, and Andy 3D for remote assistance and asset revamping on hybrid 3D. It can be configured according to industry and project specific requirements and is adaptable to change following agile and incremental implementation. Furthermore, as certified Forge Systems Integrator, Capgemini can support and advance its clients Forge based initiatives.
A pioneering Scottish engineering design specialist has become one of the first independent consultancies to exploit the advantages of IDEA STatiCa, the first software in the world which can design and check all steel connections and joints regardless of complexity. Applied Engineering Design (AED), which has offices in Edinburgh and Bath, is one of the few smaller firms to offer clients the revolutionary system which designs and checks welded or bolted connections, 2D or 3D joints, anchoring or footing of all topologies. IDEA STatiCa streamlines fabrication for clients and provides clear pass/fail checks according to EC/AISC/CISC standards as well as importing data from the most widespread FEA and CAD programs. AED is using the technique on a major project for the multi-billion pound Battersea Power Station development in London, which is providing 4000 new homes on the south bank of the River Thames. Together with its client Icon Fabrications, AED has been tasked by the Robert Bird Group with creating a high-level temporary roadway at the site which is capable of carrying heavy construction traffic. Once its use as a site connection is finished, the structural beams and columns will be encased in concrete and flats will be built on top of the deck. Tim Hetherington, Director of AED, said: “It is a particularly complex commission and we have become early adopters of IDEA STatiCa because its advanced design and check process is both powerful and quick enough to be a useful tool in our everyday work as structural engineers for fabricators. “I had become aware of the limitations of commonplace software and I had been looking for an alternative. IDEA STatiCa is very expensive, which is why it is largely used by bigger consultancies, but I have been persuaded by the value that it adds to our offering.” AED has also employed the software on work for the new £12.5 million Laidlaw Music Centre, which is being constructed at the University of St Andrews. The building will house a performance venue, a rehearsal space and a high-tech recording facility. IDEA STatiCa’s advanced steel connection designs have also been introduced by AED into the steel podium for a new Edinburgh flats development at Waterfront 3, where the unique capabilities of the software have enabled the use of innovative connection types, delivering better value for AED’s clients. AED was founded in 2008 and now has offices in Edinburgh and Bath. It has a turnover of £650,000 and employs 10 people. It undertakes most of its detailed design and coordination work in house. The company serves individuals and businesses in sectors including industry and commerce, sport and education, infrastructure and property maintenance.
Leading UK packaging supplier, Kite Packaging, has relaunched its custom tape offering, focusing on improved user experience through new technology as a part of the order process. The employee-owned business has also significantly expanded the range of packaging tapes that customers have available to brand. Businesses throughout the UK are looking more to customised packaging that carry their brand and now customers can benefit from Kite’s custom printed tape tool – a simple, cost-effective way of personalising packaging. A key benefit of purchasing custom printed tape is the positive effect it has on brand reputation, as well as providing a further layer of security to make sure goods travel from A to B in the same condition they left the warehouse in. Kite’s new custom printed tape functionality offers a more user friendly and dynamic order process with three easy steps to create your desired customised tape and a simple reorder option for repeat order customers. Users can choose from a range of tapes, including Acrylic (PP), Hot melt (PP) and Vinyl (PVC), or for a more environmentally-friendly branded solution, customers can select gummed paper or Kraft paper tape. There are also three backdrop colours and widths available to choose from, letting customers find the right printed tape for their business. Brand building is an integral part of day to day business and packaging is often seen as an extension of the product that it contains, making it a very important element to take advantage of. With its low-cost brand awareness benefits and enhanced usability, Kite’s new custom printed tape creates a great customer experience and maintains the company’s focus on the best range at the best price. To find out more about Kite Packaging’s custom printed tape or for any other bespoke packaging enquiries, please visit kitepackaging.co.uk.
As with most industries, evolving technology is changing the way that the construction industry operates. With engineers increasingly using software for architectural purposes, could we also see other roles within the industry change too e.g. robots performing manual tasks, or building design via virtual reality (VR)? In this article, structure design software specialists, Oasys, investigate potential changes that could be on the way with regard to both builders and construction workers, as our world becomes more advanced with technology. Will jobs be under threat? This is a common question that is asked in the workplace, but the answer is never a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Technology will not steal our jobs, but just replace us as we shift roles. But how will this impact the construction industry? To understand, we need to have an oversight on statistics that have been released regarding this issue. Boston Consulting Group has said that by 2025, up to a quarter of jobs will be replaced by smart software or robots. This includes a range of professions, from factory workers to doctors, and even journalists. However, a study carried out by Oxford University has said that 35% of existing jobs in Britain are at risk of automation in the next 20 years. In terms of reduction in physical workers, there is a lot of uncertainty. However, this can be challenged if we start preparing early and encourage current and future workers to adapt to the changes. This could include advancing their own skillset with a focus on how they can do their job better with the use of technology. Evolving technology, evolving roles? With news that implies technology will replace physical workers, it is often forgotten that people need to manage this technology and make sure that it is operating correctly. It’s also left unmentioned that workers will need to use technology, and that leads us to the decision that in the construction industry, builders of the future will become programmers. Over the years, we have seen constant changes in the way we work, and the construction sector has been very accepting to new and innovative methods to make jobs easier. From hammers to nail guns, shovels to diggers — and now practical labour to programming. However, this cannot be achieved overnight. Programming is a topic that schools around the UK should be looking to implement into their curriculums as a core subject to keep up with the demand of jobs and to keep up with the constant changes in technology. If we’re teaching young people old ways, they will be useless when it comes to doing the work and there might not even be jobs available that match their skillsets. With the constant growth in technology surrounding construction, young people need to be prepared with the skills and this shouldn’t be up for debate. Like the studies discussed earlier, more jobs are at risk of being lost due to smart software and robots. Workers need to be as good as the technology. When it comes to a common piece of software that is used in construction, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an element that can be beneficial, as it allows the appropriate people to access all of the information about a project in one place. It can look at key stages of a project across the lifecycle of a job and provide the information that is needed. This can save both time and money for any construction company and allows builders to have a clear oversight. BIM can help illustrate the entire building, from starting processes to its demolition, and can even show how materials can be reused. This suggests that technology is taking over, and if people want to remain in the loop of having a career and developing personally with the changes, it’s best to start sooner rather than later. Sources: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-33327659 https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/19/robot-based-economy-san-francisco
Building a home is a rewarding and exciting project. Planning every step and making decisions about the project is a huge responsibility. Also, it can be a daunting experience, even for skilled people. Evaluating the project before starting can make the process go smoothly. So if you to build your home follow these steps: Decide the location You need to choose or decide the location and position of the house. Next, you’ll drive stakes into the ground to mark this. But you can employ a surveyor for because surveyors know the restrictions and codes of the area you want to build in Clear and Excavate The process involves removing roots, trees, and rocks from the construction location. Further, you can also, rough grade the site. It involves moving the debris around to create your preferred driveway, yard, and drainage. Also, excavating involves digging a hole for your foundation. Get necessary utilities for building You’ll need water, power and a portable toilet while building the house. Also, you can get a well drilled so water will be available at all times during construction. Make and pour the footings Footing holds the foundation of your house. You can pour it into wooden trenches or forms. Create the foundation A good foundation holds the home’s structure. Make the completed foundation high enough to prevent water from entering the house. Also, the foundation must be waterproofed to prevent water from gathering in crawl space. Install plumbing materials It involves fixing any plumbing that needs to go beneath the concrete. Create Slabs Slabs are then formed and poured concrete in garages and the basement. Build septic systems You need a septic tank, especially there’s no town sewer. It’s a system that makes disposing of your household waste easy. Paint This is where you need to finish off any drywall repairs and carry out the last painting process. You may need to touch up some few things. Don’t worry, it’s normal. You can carry out the last finish on the floor and install the carpets too. Clean the house after painting Here, you’ll need to clean both the outside and inside of the house after painting. Driveway As soon as the builders have removed all the equipment after completing their job, you can create a driveway. Create a garden It’s time to grow trees, shrubs, and grass to create flower beds. Also, you can add any garden or mulch to the house. This will complete the appearance of your home so you can move in! Building your home can be stressful, but architects can show you your future house with Cedreo, the best home design software.
Arthur Online – the cloud-based property management platform – has made property management simpler by integrating with Advanced Tenant Referencing and Signable. You can now manage the tenant onboarding process from end-to-end using the Arthur Online app or desktop platform, without a single piece of paper exchanging hands. This new integration enables you to swiftly and securely complete your tenant reference check and update your account with the new tenant’s details. Your prospective tenant can even sign all documents via the app. Arthur Online’s integration with AdvancedRent, a market leader in tenant referencing, allows for efficient management by seamlessly moving data from one software to another, saving time and money. With a simple push of a button, the information from the prospective tenant is sent out for referencing. Our tracking system allows you to easily track the progress of the reference. When complete, Arthur Online will notify you, your team, the owner and the tenant of the outcome. And, if anything needs to be signed, the Signable integration means that the tenancy agreement can be completed in minutes. Marc Trup, founder and CEO of Arthur Online, says: “Paperwork used to be the bane of property management, especially when it comes to HMOs. The paperwork and checks for just one building could zap a whole day. But now, with our integration to Advanced Tenant Referencing you only have to put the tenant’s information in once to get it checked, issue the tenancy, file the details with the accountant and deal with any issues that arise. At Arthur Online, we are all about enabling our clients to navigate the minefield that is property management, and Signable and Advanced Tenant Referencing are the latest of a number of leading tools we use to do just that.” Arthur Online gives property managers unprecedented control of their portfolio, whether dealing with tenants, contractors, accountants or agents. Arthur Online is available as an app and desktop platform from www.arthuronline.co.uk , you can sign up for a free 30-day trial today.
Structural drafting is the foundation of any construction project. The ideas in our mind are given life in the form of drawings. Computer-aided tools are invaluable to architects and engineers in creating precision drawings or illustrations. The structural industry has embraced software to help in the creation of engineering drawings. Most importantly, the drawings specify each construction detail to the contractor and thus help avoid blunders and bad execution of the approved design. This article on AutoCAD for Architects give you a great feel for what can be done by a beginner. Architectural drawings Architectural drawing is the technical drawing of a building project. Architectural plans include the working drawings, schedules, floor plans, foundation plans, and roof plans. Architectural plans demonstrate not only the location of the building but also the details of where the building parts will be placed. With the help of a computer-aided software such as AutoCAD architectural drawings describe precision methods, as well as materials, colors, and texture to be used in the construction project. Structural drawings Structural drawings are technical drawings that show details of the structural elements. The drawings provide information that includes the strength of the various structural components, structural materials, size, grade, and also the placement of reinforcement. A structural analysis is crucial as it helps evaluate whether the structural design has what it takes to withstand internal and external stresses as well as the forces expected for the design. CAD software is invaluable for the creation of precision structural drawings. Electrical drawings Electrical drawings refer to technical drawings that provide detailed information about power, lighting, and communication of construction or any engineering project. CAD software can help in the design of any type of electrical drawings including circuit diagrams and drawings, circuit panels, electrical schematic drawings, an electrical blueprint for floors, electrical grid systems, as well as any electrical engineering diagrams. Electrical diagrams save time in that they help professionals anticipate problem areas such as wet spots, tight spaces, or sharp corners. The professional can plan for the areas in advance. The drawing also helps in reducing costs as you can shop once for the entire project. Also, the drawings can reduce or eliminate the risk of injury as the professional can anticipate the areas that have the potential for injury. Plumbing and sanitary drawings These are drawings that show the location of the sanitary, fixture, piping for water supplies, and how to connect the fixtures. Plumbing drawings are essential for any construction project as they show how to bring water to the building for human consumption, and how to remove wastewater from the structure. Finishing drawings Finishing drawings are the drawings that show the finishing and the appearance of the building. They include details of tiles, marbles, etc. Finishes usually are the final part of a construction project, and they are used for both internal and external elements. Finishing drawings are necessary as they form the part that people see and usually perceive the quality of the building. A competent CAD software can help bring out the best appearance and protection of a building project.
