Connected construction is software that integrates with other programs, thereby enhancing productivity and reducing risk through automated information sharing. Applied Software has seen connectivity in both the AEC Industry and BIM services. Connected BIM for building design has used historically siloed raw BIM data in a cloud connection from its source. Autodesk has launched BIM 360 Design as the starting point for things such as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and BIM architectural engineering services. Connecting construction models to the cloud gives builders an advantage, according to Carol Dunn, President, and CEO of Applied Software.
Facts: How connected construction will shape the future of the AEC industry?
Technological improvements have benefited the architectural, engineering, and construction industries and it is more true for the connected construction site. Hence adopting connected construction in AEC would transform the industry by presenting a full perspective of active projects. An organization also makes the most of its time and resources, if it has a complete view of a project in progress. To put it in other words, an organization saves 10% to 30% of engineering hours, 51% on construction expenses, and about 20% on running costs. Those amazing figures lead to enhanced time and money for new projects and business growth in the long run.
How BIM is transforming building design?
Technology is transforming the way of building and infrastructural design, construction, and operation, improving decision-making as well as performance across facility life-cycle. Amongst the various practices implemented by AEC professionals, Building Information Modeling has become the most powerful. Abiding the technique, firms improve deliverables, through cost control and reduced costs. Architects and engineers are using BIM to assess various design options and produce accurate drawings from the 3D model. BIM architectural services also facilitate the quick transfer of information amongst different design disciplines, enhancing collaboration.
What is BIM?
BIM (Building Information Modeling) involves several processes to facilitate AEC professionals in accomplishing the task accurately within a given time frame. The 3d modeling technique – a creative process that delivers significant data for the sake of project planning, execution, and accomplishment. Change in each data of the BIM model makes an automatic update to the entire model. This also enhances workflow for the whole connected construction project, involving managers and other project stakeholders of the AEC industry. In this regard, connected BIM unlocks the real power. Before delving deep, let’s take a look at the details of connected construction.
What is Connected Construction?
Connected construction means different things to different people, but one element remains the same. At the foundation, it implies open communication between technology to ensure all team members get the right information at the right time, resulting in better productivity. The technique acts as a network to provide a constant flow of data and analytics. All machines, job sites, and workers remain connected, enhancing construction productivity. Through integrated project workflow, all stakeholders get the transparency to work efficiently and collaboratively. Further, when all stay connected on the same platforms, there are chances of fewer delays and errors. Everybody gets the required information, which leads to efficient project management.
Key Points of Connected Construction:
- Data Analytics
- Real-time visibility
- Collaboration
- Dynamic work planning
- Worker safety
Advantages of Connected Construction:
- Risk-minimization & real-time update – The most significant advantage of connected construction is its power to reduce risk and get real-time updates. Through this technique, stakeholders obtain a single source of information for the entire project, as well as for the complicated data requirement of the building. If any team member realizes mistakes and makes alterations to them, this gets reflected throughout the organization. Hence, everybody gets access to up-to-date information at all times, preventing errors. This facilitates speeding up the construction process, as delays are avoided by bringing everyone up-to-date with the latest changes.
- System interoperability – Software that functions nicely with other programs is also a part of the construction connected site. Information gets automatically exchanged among other programs, avoiding duplication of the same work. As a result, instead of moving data from one system to another, it’s all updated at the same time.
- Connected assets – Modern sensors are growing smaller and smarter, enabling them to be placed almost everywhere on a construction site. Companies obtain information on soil conditions, temperature, humidity, and other factors by using sensors. All the information helps to save time and money. Everybody accesses information with just a few mouse clicks, making it easier to avoid disasters like fire and water damage.
- Workers’ protection – Workers’ health and safety are a top issue for every construction site. Further, connected construction is an excellent technique to eliminate workplace hazards and ensure that no accidents occur on the job site. Project managers and operators use real-time images to plan work and identify potential hazards. Consequently, they could take safety precautions as soon as they suspect a potential threat on the construction site.
Advantages of Using Connected BIM:
Let’s check out how would connected construction shape the future of the AEC Industry?
- Improved accessibility – In terms of project accessibility, connected BIM can shape the AEC industry. Consider what would happen if anybody on the team could have real-time access to the project and assess requirements. Imagine being able to send an email to everyone on the team when a project-changing change is made. The construction project’s associated BIM project remains the focal point. Staying up to date with project data and new updates will no longer be a problem as the teams on the ground have to face the most trouble. This holds great for joint ventures. Teams also access essential information and collaborate using connected BIM, whether they are at the same or different places. They easily extract shop drawings and bills of materials using various applications like Autodesk Revit software. Often they combine Aconex BIM viewer with Revit and Autodesk Cloud Connect for viewing models and integrating construction data.
- Digitization of the AEC industry – If we were to pick just one advantage of connected BIM, it would be its ability to digitize the whole construction sector. We couldn’t do this before, since we lacked the necessary technologies. The BIM 360 cloud, RFID chips, sensors, IoT solutions, mobile devices, and intelligent equipment are all available today. This implies that every procedure in the AEC industry has the potential to be digitized. You could open a new door to productivity, cost-efficiency, and fast project completion while you digitize design, fabrication, and construction processes. All of this gets accomplished with a single solution – a cloud platform that is BIM-connected. The digitization of the AEC industry and all its processes is a long-term project. However, with modern technology and integrated BIM, it would achieve its full potential. Given all the advantages, it is reasonable to expect widespread adoption throughout the AEC industry.
- Takes charge of every stage of the project lifecycle – There are various project life cycles in the AEC business. For a project to be completed successfully, each of these cycles is essential. If you wish to transition from one lifecycle to the next, the previous one must be completed with high precision, and the materials, workforce, and processes for the following one must be available. Teams will need up-to-date data to accomplish this. This is where the industry is shaped via connected BIM. While BIM makes use of connectivity to collect, construct and connect data and transmit it to teams as needed, project lifecycle data can be used in a variety of ways. For example, any operational data can be used to improve the project further. This is true not only for present initiatives but for future ones. The data can be used for building upkeep and future repairs and upgrades even after the project is completed. Finally, the AEC industry has a solution that can assist firms in making significant decisions throughout the project life cycle.
- Breaks down communication barriers – BIM modeling, aided by ‘connection’ technology, acts as a central communication hub for project participants. It’s difficult to keep the lines of communication open among designers, architects, and contractors. Further, it involves a great deal of consideration and preparation. Building Information Modeling increases efficiency with 3D models, as anyone with apt user access could easily make modifications, without disturbing the information flow. It also becomes easier to modify and accomplish tasks while you see the most recent adjustments affecting construction productivity.
Where to get started with connected construction?
It’s difficult to visualize the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction sectors, without connected construction. While considering the importance of teamwork is in the industries, good communication and data sharing are essential for future projects. Hence, the project managers must be equipped with ‘connected BIM’ for their next assignment. However, if you’re not sure where to start, you may take the help of Autodesk Construction Cloud to reduce time and enhance clarity. It is absolutely easy to use and your team will get on board with it right away.
The crux of the Matter – Connected BIM is a very new concept, and we have yet to see all of the advantages that BIM services may provide to architects, engineers, and construction companies. The technique is an asset, with the potential to change the AEC sector on its own. The AEC industry takes on a new form with improved data access, and accurate digitization of processes with Revit for architecture, structure & MEP services. You need smart & inventive solutions if you want to get more work and deliver better projects faster. Connected construction is a solution with the potential to impact the future of the AEC industry. It assists your firm at every stage of a project, from planning to implementation. It will be difficult to envision work any other way, once you’ve introduced connected construction to your team. Opt for this integrated BIM workflow and obtain a smooth and successful project.
Tejjy Inc Blog 