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
Graham Construction has become the first UK and Ireland contractor to be awarded a double BIM certification due to the fact that it has incorporated BIM across its construction business and has trained more than 500 people on its team in the technology. The company achieved the BSI Kitemark certification
New best practice guide sets new standard for time management in building and civil engineering projects in the latest publication from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Delayed completion affects all project based industries in all countries and the bigger the project, the more damage delayed completion causes to costs,
As a method of documenting, storing and sharing every detail about a construction project, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is fast becoming an industry standard. Its most recognisable feature might be the creation of technically-accurate 3D models, but BIM is really about having a single platform from which all stakeholders and
The UK’s largest specialist cold roll-forming company, voestalpine Metsec plc, has been awarded the BSI Kitemark BS8541 for library objects for architecture, engineering and construction from the British Standards Institution (BSI). The Kitemark relates to the management and production of BIM objects and associated product data in accordance with BS
Explore Offsite Outlooks, in partnership with BRE, will look into the latest innovations and understand which way is the best to implement the technological advancements into an offsite strategy. The one day conference and exhibition invites clients and their professional advisers, contractors and project managers and offsite technology suppliers to
Saint-Gobain Weber is known for its dedication to train people in the specification and application of their innovative and market leading materials. Those in need can access a team of technical advisors that will give them information on the correct use of the diverse product offering, wither over the telephone
The Trimble technology has been announced as one of the key changes that will improve VolkerWessels’ management and predictability of its projects. The aim of this collaboration is to advance innovations in building information management (BIM) technology and to improve the quality of the management and predictability of real estate
TECHNOLOGY is having an ever-greater impact on the construction sector. Many ideas that were once thought of as gimmicks – or even the stuff of science-fiction – are now being steadily incorporated into the mainstream industry, with new and practical applications for technology being developed at a rapid pace. Here
With the development of technology, more and more work is going in to exploring digital construction and what the best strategy is to implement offsite construction strategy. Explore Offsite Outlooks has been developed by BRE and Explore Offsite and looks into how best to integrate digital solutions into their business
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
Graham Construction has become the first UK and Ireland contractor to be awarded a double BIM certification due to the fact that it has incorporated BIM across its construction business and has trained more than 500 people on its team in the technology. The company achieved the BSI Kitemark certification for both BIM Design and Construction (PAS 1192-2) and BIM Asset Management (PAS 1192-3). Some of the projects that use BIM are the Baird & Anchor Hospitals on behalf of NHS Grampian, the framework for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in Richmond, London, and the University of Reading’s Thames Valley Science Park development in Shinfield, Reading. “Embedding BIM into our everyday business practices has been a priority at Graham. We are using the growing volume of information on construction projects to make smarter decisions, control costs and deliver consistently excellent projects,” explained Melanie Dawson, head of BIM at Graham Construction. Additionally, she argues that BIM is improving efficiency in the supply chain, which not only benefits the company but the clients as well. “More importantly it gives our clients and stakeholders the confidence and assurance that we will deliver consistent excellence from project inception through construction and into asset management.” Gavin Summerson, senior certification manager at BSI explains that the BSI BIM Kitemark is the most difficult test on the implementation of BIM that an organisation can take and for this reason, Graham should be very proud for achieving it. “Not only have they demonstrated the delivery of BIM projects during the design and construction phase in accordance with PAS 1192-2, they have also demonstrated that they are continuing to work to BIM level 2 at the asset management phase, in accordance with PAS 1192-3,” said Gavin Summerson.
New best practice guide sets new standard for time management in building and civil engineering projects in the latest publication from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Delayed completion affects all project based industries in all countries and the bigger the project, the more damage delayed completion causes to costs, reputation and sometimes even to the survival of the contracting parties themselves. First published in 2010, the Guide to Good Practice in the Management of Time in Major Projects was an integral part of the CIOB’s strategy to provide standards, education, training and accreditation in time management. The latest edition, published today (26th February) emphasises dynamic, strategic time modelling as the way to manage time and cost in major projects. “On major projects the failure strategically to manage time so often proves disastrous, not just for the contractor but also for the client, its consultants, and for the rest of the supply chain,” said Keith Pickavance, author and Past President of the CIOB. “This Guide is a step-by-step illustration of how the parties can work collaboratively to meet this challenge using traditional project procurement routes or the most advanced BIM, from the adoption of a workable time-management strategy through to the day to day detail of risk management, using a predictive time model.” The publication includes new materials, such as a chapter distinguishing the principal features of the dynamic time model and its development throughout the life of a project, from inception to completion. It also includes new appendices covering matters such as complexity in construction and engineering projects, productivity guides and a number of case studies. The publication is the ideal handbook for project and program management professionals working in civil engineering and construction projects, including those from contractors, clients and project management consultants. For more information and to purchase this latest publication, visit Wiley. Please note members receive a 20% discount off this purchase.
As a method of documenting, storing and sharing every detail about a construction project, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is fast becoming an industry standard. Its most recognisable feature might be the creation of technically-accurate 3D models, but BIM is really about having a single platform from which all stakeholders and contractors can work collaboratively. Every piece of information about the building – from construction forecasts to budgeting – is compiled in one place, allowing clear communication between parties. BIM allows each team working on the project to optimise their processes, facilitates better handovers and ensures the latest information can be accessed by everyone in the supply chain. For a better idea about how this integration can benefit a large-scale construction project, we’ve looked at the benefits of BIM for fire safety. The primary concerns for fire-safety design are minimising the risk of injury or death to those inside and outside the building, as well as preserving as much of the structure and its contents as possible. Fire-safety planning should look at methods for prevention, containment and escape for those inside. Prevention Passive fire protection is essential in preventing a fire from breaking out, and is typically integrated into a project at the design stage. While it is impossible to prevent all forms of ignition (common causes being natural phenomena, technological failure and human carelessness), taking steps to minimise the risk and reduce the amount of fuel available in the event of a fire is not. Common preventative measures include: Relocating potential ignition sources so there is more space between them; Improving the insulation between potential ignition sources (e.g. kitchens, plant rooms etc.) and fuel; Comparing the level of fire resistance for specific building elements; Reducing the number of combustible materials in the interior or exterior design; Installing a dedicated lightning protection system; Maintaining a formal record of fire risk assessments. Using a BIM model is the simplest way for stakeholders to assess a building’s collective vulnerabilities, and work together to minimise them without impacting its functionality. Even once the design stage is complete, the information remains attached to the model so that future occupants and building management can fully understand the high-risk areas of their building. Containment In the event of a fire, it’s important that flames and smoke can be appropriately contained so that occupants can escape from harm. Building design should ensure that fires can be contained within the smallest possible area so that there is minimal threat to life and property. All buildings must meet a certain duration of fire resistance, depending on their size. Most non-residential properties in the UK require at least 60 minutes of compartmentalised fire resistance. Key containment measures include: Self-closing fire doors, actuated when alarms are triggered; Smoke curtains – automated or permanent barriers which drop from the ceiling and confine smoke to a certain area; Fire sprinkler systems; Strategically placed fire extinguishers, fire blankets and other safety equipment; Active venting for smoke to filter outside (rather than through the building). Co-ordinating different detection and containment measures can be difficult at the best of times, but BIM makes it easier for collaborators to visualise the space and work out the most efficient placement. With engineers, designers and health and safety specialists all having access to the plan, fire safety measures can be installed to ensure both cost-effectiveness and maximum coverage. Escape The ultimate goal of fire safety design is ensuring that all lives are protected if a blaze should break out. In some cases, this relies on confinement to a safe area but in most situations occupants will need to make their way to an exit. High-capacity escape routes are the ideal solution, however complex layouts may mean that alternative exits should be considered. Using BIM, designers, engineers and building managers can easily: Calculate and visualise the most effective escape routes for each area of the property; Plan how people with reduced mobility can safely exit take refuge; Understand the building’s resistance to collapse and how it would affect other internal and external services to the property (e.g. fire sprinkler systems or emergency vehicle access); Identify safe points for evacuation; Define the best routes for firefighting personnel. The benefits of BIM extend to emergency services, insurance providers and many other parties, who can use the collated information to navigate the building safely and reliably. Not only does BIM help to streamline the design and construction of a building, it makes it easier to effectively plan and carry out life-saving measures such as fire safety.
The UK’s largest specialist cold roll-forming company, voestalpine Metsec plc, has been awarded the BSI Kitemark BS8541 for library objects for architecture, engineering and construction from the British Standards Institution (BSI). The Kitemark relates to the management and production of BIM objects and associated product data in accordance with BS 8541-1, BS 8541-3 and BS 8451-4. After becoming the first tier two organisation globally to receive Kitemark PAS 1192-2 for BIM in late 2016, the certification now makes Metsec the first cold roll-forming company globally to be awarded both Kitemarks, proving the company’s commitment to helping customers deliver projects at the design and construction phase, saving time and costs. An audit of Metsec’s complete range of models was carried out by the BSI to achieve the certification and ensure all the data and files within the BIM models are correct and a true representation of its product range. The audit also included assessing Metsec’s processes when creating new BIM models to validate the functionality of the information. The models are able to be downloaded from both the Metsec website and BIM Store as Revit files, meaning they are able to be added straight into a BIM design model easily and quickly. To date, all models for Metsec’s Purlins and Framing divisions are complete and able to be downloaded with the Cable Management models to follow in 2018. Altogether this represents around 13,200 models that Metsec has created. The certification gives customers complete confidence during design, construction and asset management stages whilst also reducing risk and the required number of checks as the processes and products have been endorsed as reliable and robust. As a result, costs for expensive rework to rectify mistakes made at the design stage can be avoided. Alan Harris, quality manager at Metsec, said: “BIM is becoming increasingly important throughout the global construction landscape and we’re committed to going above and beyond with our BIM offering, as this accreditation highlights. “The Kitemark for our BIM models acts as a seal of approval and highlights our objective to adopt the highest industry standards and use cutting-edge technology to further strengthen our position as market leader.”
Explore Offsite Outlooks, in partnership with BRE, will look into the latest innovations and understand which way is the best to implement the technological advancements into an offsite strategy. The one day conference and exhibition invites clients and their professional advisers, contractors and project managers and offsite technology suppliers to network with industry experts and discuss the latest developments in digital construction for the offsite sector. BIM has been a debatable subject in recent years and whether driving greater collaboration across the disciplines of architecture, engineering, manufacturing and construction is the right approach, is still unknown. The construction industry has been slower than other industry when it comes to digital transformation and it needs to catch up. Last year, McAvoy was presented with the award for Best Virtual Reality BIM at the third annual RICS BIM4SME Awards, for the design and delivery of a two-storey primary school building for children with special educational needs at West Hill School for Surrey County Council. The new school will incorporate classrooms, teaching training areas, a food technology room, a library, and staffroom, and will connect two separate buildings on the site, with a height difference of 870mm. To offset the height difference in the existing buildings, McAvoy was able to incorporate a ramped gradient within the design, nullifying it. “We are absolutely thrilled that our industry-leading commitment and investment in BIM has been recognised in this way. McAvoy was the first offsite construction specialist to be accredited to BIM Level 2 – which was a major achievement. We are now working towards BIM Level 3 as we really value the efficiency benefits that the process and the latest virtual reality technology can bring to our customers and our offsite projects,” said Eugene Lynch, Managing Director at The McAvoy Group. This achievement and how they implemented the BIM will be discussed at the conference, hoping to inspire and help others to do the same.
Saint-Gobain Weber is known for its dedication to train people in the specification and application of their innovative and market leading materials. Those in need can access a team of technical advisors that will give them information on the correct use of the diverse product offering, wither over the telephone or on site. Additionally, they have now created a YouTube channel where they post a diverse range of ‘How To’ videos, specifically designed for specifiers and applicators that are not able to attend a related course at the academy. The videos address some of the most frequently raised technical enquiries received by Weber, such as external wall insulation systems, flooring products, renders, and tile preparation. Weber’s most recent video approaches the problem of the growth of algae, bacteria, fungus, and mould on external surfaces including render and brickwork, experienced in the UK and Europe. It illustrates how to remove it using the high performance weber CL150. “This is an easy to use water-based masonry wash containing carefully selected biocides to clean and sterilise substrates,” said Rob Speke, Training Academy Manager at Saint-Gobain Weber. The weber CL150 must be applied undiluted to a dry substrate, saturating the affected area with the use of a brush or sprayer. If the problem is more advanced, agitate the surface with a nylon bristle brush which will speed up the process and improve the results. The algae will be killed in 48 hours and the treated area will need jet washing at low pressure. In case of more severe situations, the process can be repeated. “Once treated the substrate will be protected for a considerable period although in areas of high algae growth, such as north facing walls with limited sunlight, it is advisable to repeat the process every few years to maintain best aesthetics,” said Rob. The video can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EdI4XaJYUY and is one of the 30 currently posted ‘How To’ videos.
The Trimble technology has been announced as one of the key changes that will improve VolkerWessels’ management and predictability of its projects. The aim of this collaboration is to advance innovations in building information management (BIM) technology and to improve the quality of the management and predictability of real estate projects and building construction. VolkerWessels’ projects will be standardised on a set of Trimble construction technologies. “Our close collaboration with VolkerWessels enables both companies to innovate while driving greater value in the design, build and operate phases of construction,” said Roz Buick, vice president at Trimble. “We greatly value this key customer relationship enabling us both to seek insights for buildings, infrastructure and real estate asset industries.” Trimble’s role in this partnership will be to work closely with VolkerWessels’ stakeholders so that it could gather real-world feedback to continue the innovation in BIM-centric construction. Professional and integration services performed by Trimble and Construsoft, a Trimble integrator based in the Netherlands, are also part of the deal, in addition to the purchase of construction technologies. “Trimble excels at providing putting construction data to work,” said Marinus den Harder, director of construction and real estate development at VolkerWessels. “Trimble’s data-centric approach to BIM provides us with analytics and business intelligence that we can use to extend our competitive advantage.” Trimble is a provider of technologies for civil and building construction management. It has a full range of tools and its personal approach on how to manage construction activities and team collaboration; skills that help its customers achieve operational excellence. VolkerWessels will be using Trimble ProjectSight for construction management and Trimble Connect software as a central collaboration platform to streamline the sharing of construction models, data and project information between key project stakeholders. VolkerWessels is a leading construction firm and global player in the field of information and communications technologies. It is a Dutch group of companies with 16,000 employees and about 120 companies and offices in the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, Canada, and the United States.
TECHNOLOGY is having an ever-greater impact on the construction sector. Many ideas that were once thought of as gimmicks – or even the stuff of science-fiction – are now being steadily incorporated into the mainstream industry, with new and practical applications for technology being developed at a rapid pace. Here we’ve shortlisted the 8 construction technology trends to keep your eyes on in 2018. AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES With a drive to improve efficiency and safety on construction sites, autonomous vehicles are gaining traction and could be seen on some projects in 2018. Just as driverless cars promise to revolutionise the way in which we travel, autonomous vehicles could transform our building site environments – helping to address a shortage of skilled labour and enhancing productivity. Above: Autonomous vehicles could transform construction sites and address shortages of skilled labour (image courtesy of Built Robotics) Several developers have already created prototypes of autonomous construction vehicles ranging from bulldozers and tractors, to cranes and excavators. While entry costs and regulations remain serious barriers to adoption, several observers believe that we may see self-driving vehicles on construction sites before we see them on roads – particularly as sites are highly controlled environments. VIRTUAL + AUGMENTED REALITY Next up is a technology area that has been on construction’s radar for several years, and indeed made it onto our 2017 tech roundup; virtual and augmented reality. These visual technologies continue to be “one to watch” in 2018 as they gain greater traction within the construction industry and become valuable tools for project teams and end users alike. Above: Enveloping 360 pop-up tents or rooms allow designers to step inside their buildings (image courtesy of Igloo Vision) Virtual Reality – or VR – creates an immersive environment in a headset or cardboard viewer, or even an enveloping 360 pop-up tent or room – enabling contractors, designers and end users to step into their buildings in the future – either during key stages of construction, or in their completed states. Prominent examples of this in practice include London’s 22 Bishopsgate skyscraper and the impressive “Tomorrowland” at the Shanghai Disney Resort. Augmented Reality – or AR – is also finding its feet, providing a graphic layer to our real-world view and offering a wide array of data to site personnel – from design information and specifications, to statistics on productivity and health and safety warnings. Whilst VR and AR have long been touted for their future potential, they are now being used in anger and are set to drive clear benefits for project teams in 2018. EXOSKELETONS Exoskeletons are a technology that has been long-touted for its potential to make construction more efficient. Like many of the technologies on this list, they might sound more like the stuff of science fiction, than a credible real-world application. However, the wearable mechanical suits – that are worn outside clothing to help with lifting heavy equipment, machinery, or supplies – are now becoming a reality. Above: Exoskeletons have been specifically developed for the construction industry (image courtesy of Lockheed Martin). Designed to “augment with humans” and help them overcome physical weaknesses, these suits could aid construction workers with everyday mundane, repetitive tasks, supporting better physical health and helping to combat conditions such as arthritis and hand-arm vibration. Around 40 companies are now manufacturing exoskeletons worldwide, so you may well see them on a site near you in 2018. ADVANCED MATERIALS The world of construction materials is advancing at an incredible rate as new technologies enter the construction sector, enabling further research and development. In the last 12 months we’ve reported on many innovations including “Self-healing concrete” – which contains calcite-precipitating bacteria which germinate when water enters the cracks in decaying concrete, filling the emerging air gaps. We have also seen “Kinetic paving” which harvests energy from the footsteps of pedestrians to generate electricity, “4D-printed structures” that have the ability to re-shape or self-assemble over time by virtue of how they are formed and how different elements of their composition respond in differing conditions and “smog-eating buildings” coated in photocatalytic titanium dioxide that reacts with light to neutralise pollutants in the air of the some of the world’s most congested cities. UAVs Above: Drones are becoming widely used in the construction industry (image courtesy of Aibotix). The rise of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the construction industry – often referred to as drones – was featured on our 2017 list and is set to significantly pick-up pace in 2018. UAVs are now being used for health and safety inspections, progress reporting and most-prominently in site surveying; capturing accurate data on large areas of land in just a few minutes and accessing potentially hazardous zones with ease, keeping surveyors themselves save. While there has been much publicity about the potential for drones to carry out deliveries, it is the construction industry that is predicted to be the biggest user of commercial drones in the coming years. “The construction industry is predicted to be the biggest user of commercial drones in the coming years” Regulation of UAVs remains a hot-topic, particularly as the rate of technology advancement often pulls ahead of legislation and its enforcement. Falling entry costs and the availability of UAVs to a mass market has only served to compound this issue. ROBOTICS The successful application of robotics in the construction sector could enhance efficiency, productivity and safety in many instances, making it a highly-attractive prize for those that see its value. Above: An “in-situ fabricator” developed at the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Digital Fabrication in Zurich ( image courtesy of NCCR Digital Fabrication). The last 12 months has seen further iterations of brick and track-laying robots and even a machine capable of tying rebar unveiled – the latter being part of a series of in-situ fabricators. The challenge for this area again remains the entry-cost and its credibility. Many struggle to recognise and accept the application of robots, seeing the concept as science fiction. 3D PRINTING Above: 3D printing
With the development of technology, more and more work is going in to exploring digital construction and what the best strategy is to implement offsite construction strategy. Explore Offsite Outlooks has been developed by BRE and Explore Offsite and looks into how best to integrate digital solutions into their business operations. The pace of which technological change it taking place shows no signs of letting up. Because of this it is though that the introduction of technology needs to be embraced. A range of other industries have taken the digital step earlier, however the construction digital revolution is thought to be now well underway. With the more widespread adoption of BIM as well as a range of other technological solutions, the combination of offsite manufacturing and digital construction technology offers a powerful new prospect for the industry. On the 28th February 2018 at BRE in Watford, Explore Offsite Solutions will be looking at the road ahead as the roles and disciplines begin to merge and a new role is created with the creation of a new generation of digital natives who feel BIM is simply business as usual and fully understand the reals meaning of integration, interoperability and design for the manufacture and assembly of construction projects. At this event in February next year, guests will also hear from John Eynon, who is the Engagement Lead at BIM Alliance and who will give a presentation on the topic of ’Digital procurement, standardisation and transformation’. Duri9ng this presentation, John will discuss digital transformation and standardisation as well as drivers for change, a range of case study examples, the place for the UK BIM alliance and the upcoming implementation of BIM Level 2 in industry. Explore Offsite Outlooks is a one-day conference and exhibition that will work to create a space for clients and their professional advisers, contractors, project managers and offsite technology suppliers to network while also discuss with industry experts the latest developments in the digital construction and offsite sector.
