Augmented reality can allow architects, clients and contractors to explore building information models in real environments, giving users a more realistic vision of a planned structure. "BIM-based extended reality technologies minimize the need for re-work because fit, assemblies, scale and finishes can be verified and communicated between all stakeholders in real time on the actual job site," Sellen Construction's Salla Palos says.
Building information modeling technology can be useful even after construction through BIM-enabled facilities management, advises Formica Group's Joe Bell. Though BIM FM is only realistically usable in new buildings, it can create digital logbooks that record maintenance records, identify building issues and reorder supplies automatically.
Eighty-three percent of architecture, engineering and construction industry participants in a recent Building Design + Construction survey believe artificial intelligence and automation can help lead to better buildings. Meanwhile, just 24% said automation will threaten job security in their field.
The use of nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes and nanofiber in the construction sector could result in stronger, tougher and more energy-efficient materials. For example, carbon nanotubes can strengthen cement mortar, and nanomaterials can be employed to improve insulation and fire resistance.
Mechanical engineer Megan Kreiger is on a quest to advance large-scale additive manufacturing in the construction industry and has embarked on a number of projects that involve 3D printing concrete structures. She spearheaded the building of the first full-scale, 3D-printed, reinforced-concrete building in the US and was part of a team that 3D printed a 32-foot-long reinforced concrete footbridge in Southern California.
Companies often see finding geometries of 3D models as building information modeling's sole purpose and fail to think about how other purposes tie into the "digital reality" of a project, mostly because customers commonly ask for a Revit model, writes William Tompkinson. He predicts BIM will see a breakthrough this year, with point clouds used across entire building cycles.
Construction companies looking to improve team management and collaboration should consider rewarding employees for reporting signs of trouble early, preparing for project variations, focusing on ways to stay on track in meetings and keeping the big picture in mind, Ed Muzio writes.
At the 2019 conference in St. Louis, BIMForum is looking to highlight case studies of how the building community is driving quantitative and qualitative outcomes through the development of model-centric workflows that address the entire design-build-operate continuum.
Topics of interest include:
• Model-centric workflows, model reliability, less reliance on drawings • The scalability of BIM to address project delivery models beyond Design-Bid-Build, such as Design-Build, Design Assist and IPD • Legal challenges of BIM, what went wrong? • Advances in BIM contract language • Implementation of BIM Execution Plans • Standards for the use of BIM and data throughout the lifecycle of projects • Owners leveraging LOD to define deliverables • Best practices for laser scanning and reality capture in building documentation • Peer-reviewed research specifically addressing results of BIM use and/or the BIMForum LOD Specification • Value in leveraging IFC and open standards
No art or learning is to be pursued halfheartedly ... and any art worth learning will certainly reward more or less generously the effort made to study it.
