The Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry has made significant strides in improving productivity through the use of new IT applications. The net result of these changes has been increased profitability and reduced risk exposure for those firms embracing these new tools. One set of these new applications is referred to as Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) tools, which are multi-disciplinary performance models of design-construction-operation projects that are used to visualize, analyze and evaluate the performance of these projects. Building Information Modeling (BIM), a subset of VDC, integrates the work processes and information for multiple disciplines, organizations and project phases into a common model.
The use of VDC technologies has proven to increase the opportunity for design iterations, reduce errors and omissions, improve project coordination, enable more effective communication of the project scope, increase site safety, and minimize field changes. The primary benefit gained through the use of VDC technologies is the ability to make design and construction changes earlier than traditionally achievable, resulting in lower cost and time impacts to the project.
3D Design Conflict Analysis
This type of analysis, utilizing 3D models that represent a project’s major systems, automatically identifies both hard and soft (clearance between objects) design conflicts. This tool eliminates the tedious manual checking of 2D drawings to significantly reduce the expensive consequences of design errors and omissions (E&O) or constructability and coordination issues. 3D design conflict analyses have been utilized to reduce risk and liability exposure during projects’ design and construction phases, as well as to effectively communicate issues related to design errors and omissions during alternative dispute resolution and litigation.
4D Modeling
4D models integrate a 3D model of a project design with a project’s critical path method (CPM) schedule in order to create a “virtual” construction simulation. 4D models have been proven to assist project teams in improving communication, planning, analysis, and optimization of project scope and schedule. This type of model can be used during coordination meetings to assist the project team in recognizing where the major project risks will manifest themselves, increasing scheduling efficiency and reliability, and visualizing conflicts that are not apparent in Gantt charts or CPM diagrams. Additional uses for 4D models include:
Pre-Construction
- Marketing presentations
- Feasibility studies for urban planning and master planning
- Planning and/or zoning board presentations
- Communication of project scope
- Schedule assessment/validation with "what-if" schedules
Construction
- Resource management
- Site coordination and safety
- Workflow coordination
- Move management
- Monthly schedule updates
- Change orders
Post-Construction
- As-built documentation
- Operations and maintenance
- Alternative dispute resolution and litigation
Services
Exponent has developed specialized expertise in VDC technologies. Because our Construction Consulting professionals can draw on our in-house expertise in the areas of construction management and engineering, Exponent can provide a multi-disciplinary approach to streamlining our clients’ projects through the use of our VDC services. These services can be provided with little disruption to our clients’ existing business or contracting practices. We are also able to leverage our VDC expertise with our extensive experience in construction claims.
Our teaming and collaboration services include:
- Assistance with contractual BIM standards
- Photorealistic 3D marketing presentations
- Conversion of 2D designs to 3D models
- 3D design conflict analyses
- After-the-fact Errors and Omissions (E&O) design conflict analyses for use in alternative dispute resolution or litigation
- 3D model-based fabrication
- 4D modeling
Integration of 3D laser scanning with our other VDC servicesOut strategic planning and technology roll-out services include:
- Technology assessment – choosing the right hardware and software
- Creation of implementation strategies and budgets
- Staff training
- Pilot project assistance