Digital Engineering – The Construction Revolution
I have been in the Engineering profession for a while now and have had the chance to work on some exciting major projects. I thought it would be useful to start blogging about my experiences and thoughts around the construction industry. I will hopefully be able to tie in some ideas around how crypto could influence the way industry evolves over time. For now though I’ll start with a basic overview of Digital Engineering and focus on more detailed topics later. : )
Building Blocks – The world of BIM
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One thing to notice in the construction industry is that Buzzwords are abundantly used! Love them or hate them, they have been around for a long while and yes today I am talking about BIM.
For anyone that doesn’t know what BIM is, Building Information Management (BIM) is a term used to encompass a set of collaborative working methodologies. The ideology is that by incorporating collaborative working tools that include technology, software, Common Data Environments (CDE) and other information management processes, we can realise efficiencies across project delivery.
Many people associate BIM with 3D modelling software. While part true, there is much more to be implemented, understood and gained. Whether on major large-scale projects or small ones, the benefits include:
Work Efficiency – Collaborative working makes sure we avoid repeat work in a shared data environment.
Project Security – Attention to data security and how it’s being accessed and transferred.
Clash Detection - Reduction of design conflicts by using model federation. Using integrated model data and asset data to gain a holistic view of projects. So far most of my experience in this is using Autodesk Navisworks, a construction co-ordination tool that allows clash detection, visualisation / animation, 4D / 5D simulations and more.
Health & Safety – BIM contributes to project health and safety / CDM. Modelling of hazards, visualisation and other tools assist safety in design.
There are many other benefits that deserve their own posts so I will save them for now.
Run Before You Fall
A number of professional bodies oversee the development of BIM protocols and standards. There are bespoke frameworks that can be built on this and it really helps supply chains to develop project in a collaborative and structured manner.
While working on BIM implementation and engaging with various project areas, it is clear to me that industry is still adopting and establishing processes. BIM is still evolving and it’s becoming of race of who can best demonstrate their practices and expertise in this area. I see Digital Engineering as a growing factor that will begin to distinguish construction firms. Those who are able to adopt, adapt and innovate will become market leaders.
With digital taking the spotlight across almost every industry, it’s no surprise that digital delivery is becoming a minimum expectation. While moving towards a digital future, technology is rapidly evolving. A common issue to consider is the perception and implementation BIM between clients and supply chains. Many clients and supply chains face confusion of BIM requirements and how to define them.
Coupling the above with the construction industry being slow to adopt the latest methods and technologies, a noticeable lag is created. There are a number of issues that affect Engineering / Construction adoption. The problem of upskilling and investing into new software and methods that will be outdated as new solutions emerge is an ongoing issue. Behavioural and dated hierarchical structure has also contributed to the stagnated digital growth of the construction sector.
Digital Evolution
Digital is the word of this decade. With BIM advancing there are a number of exciting applications that will emerge from new technology.
AR Technology
Making use of AR technology onsite to visualize existing features that are embedded in structures and being able to superimpose new models onto a live environment is invaluable to contractors. Imagine being able to hold up your smartphone and see where exactly your electrical wires and piping run through a wall.
Many hazard reducing features can be embedded and AR technology is fast gaining traction within the construction sector. It’s only a matter of time before Pokémon GO meets sim city. With new AR+ (Apple) and ARCore, the next level of AR is being realised and soon you will be walking around your new sky scraper ;)
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is going to new heights. Using the HTC Hive has been a major step up to card box style setups / Gear VR. The Roomscale features are amazing and I see it only a matter of time before we see this implemented in construction.
Mixed reality technology is proposing to pave the way for the future of digital engagement. I have yet to try the Microsoft Hololens, but we are one step close to Minority Report and I am excited to see what can be leveraged with other tech firms following suit.
Automation and Asset Management
Driverless cars, smart roads, intelligent cities and more are coming. IBM is driving the next generation of data driven society. Machine learning and AI developments will bring about a transformation in the built environment. A system that detects and learns to recognise faults within structures is fascinating. It’s only a matter of time before Alexa alerts you about a pipe leaking in your home.
Blockchain and Beyond
With everything digital driving our society, BIM may fade and Digital Engineering will be here to stay and integrate as part of the way we work. If the building sector successfully bridges its lag in technology adoption, I expect rapid growth and innovation. Blockchain solutions are creeping into society and I look forward to discussing Blockchain and BIM in my future posts. I firmly believe that blockchain will revolutionise the construction industry with a digital future ahead of us.
Decentralization, Smart contracts, scalable VMs and other projects are just a few of many building blocks that will eventually see a new generation of Digital Engineering.
With recent leadership steering towards digital solutions, I expect an increase of investment into tech and upskilling to align with digital initiatives. It’s certainly an exciting time to get involved with Digital Engineering
Bitcoin changed my life for the better. The way I think and understand society has been vastly expanded and I look forward to learning more with new projects. Have you experienced digital changes in your life?
Thanks for reading, if you have any questions relating to Digital Engineering feel free to ask : )
Edit: HAPPY NEW YEAR
Momosan
Sources
https://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet/us/en/smarter_cities/overview/
https://www.autodesk.com/products/navisworks/overview
https://www.ice.org.uk/knowledge-and-resources/briefing-sheet/bim-mandate-and-bim-in-legislation-there-is-a-bim
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/hololens
Great stuff and right up my alley! Followed you @momosan, really enjoyed your post. On a side note, I can`t wait for the next generation of VR tech.
Thanks for reading @altherion. I am a foodie so I'm sure I'll enjoy reading your nutritional posts and foodlabscience series :)
VR is great, while a little immature still there are some great things on the way. Some of the games are mind blowing too!
Great post. I work in Revit 3D and use BIM methodolgies as an UX Designer. We've even used Revit and the Enscape 3D plugin to push into Virtual Reality. It's great being in this in this Frontier space, but it does overwhelm a lot of people as well. I look forward to more post about your experiences like this.
@nwjordan its great to see BIM practioners on steem :) Revit and Enscape 3D are great tools, how has your experience been with transferring project models into VR?
As you say - it does overwhelm people but I feel if we are complacement and appease the learning curve of some, we will suffer from stagnation and digital transformation. I will say in addition to these advancements, more attention needs to be focused on delivering tools and training for easy adoption. I'll be posting a few more BIM / digital construction related entries soon :)
The transfer has been somewhat easy, but that was more so when I had to think more so about the how things looked in the VR environment. We're not to the level using outside of Marketing purposes yet and with the heavy front loaded of some of these environments or models clients have are difficult time either seeing the effort or value of the VR or think immediately the project is done despite needing more Construction and MEP information.
It's a bit of a double edge sword our firm is still trying to balance. Luckily as a whole we are transfer from CAD to Revit & BIM Methodologies.
Yeah I really like the holisitic approach to BIM, it takes a lot of planning to go between workflows. I totally agree about the value of VR, and often it's going to be used in stakeholder engagement and marketing imo.
My God!!! What is this? I'm from software engineering background and its quite obvious that I'll not understand the constructional part but still tried and red it and it's exciting at the same time lot of theories behind it... So looks like I need to investigate more just to understand the Digital construction concept!!!
Hi @steempank
Thanks for reading, if you come from a software engineering background I am sure general information management will be easy for you to understand but perhaps Digital construction is a new concept to those outside of this sector.
I'll write up some more focused pieces in the coming days to introduce what happens on Digital Engineering / BIM compliant project. It's a very interesting concept and I foresee new market streams opening up in the near future.
Steemit is a digital experience that will change my life forever and set me up for future successes.
Steemit has definitely changed the way I think about blogging and putting my ideas online. It's amazing how the ecosystem and blockchain protocol have been thought out and I am looking forward to future developments here.
Yah really a greate post world will be grow and changes to the crypto m.the technology is increases day by day and doveloped very well..thank you for sharing with us...@momosan
Thanks @durgaani even with the recent crypto boom, I feel this is just the beginning. Thanks for reading :)
I'd love to see more posts of your experiences as an engineer. It was fun reading about DIM. Nice post
@kenadis thanks for reading, I will be posting alot more engineering content here, especially after discovering steemstem.
it inspire me It is good post and is informative
Thanks, I hope I can inspire people and get more people involved :)
If all you have said about BIM is real which i believe, as you said in your post, BIM is still evovling, and the construction technology is finding it hatd to adapt which has led to laging in building technology. I believe with time firms who can stand the test of time would evovle with these new technologies. Digital technology is also redefining not only the construction and computing tech, but also in health, agric, lots more including sports.
Hence humans are evoving too in space and spatial distribution as changed and yet unchanged species in the planet not only in the way we reason but in our daily existence.
I will also recommend you try this technology in my country Nigeria, i will be here to welcome you should incase you think towards this direction!
Thanks for this high definition post, my acumen is indeed strenthened!!!
Hi @iconnelly thanks for reading and commenting.
That's very true, technology is transforming all industries! While BIM and similar concepts have existed in other industries for years, the construction sector has suffered from digital adoption in recent years. This might be due to things like profit margins of projects and overall revenue compared to time critical projects in Oil / Gas.
I have read many things about Nigeria and I hope BIM technology makes a difference there. I think Digital Engineering will further extend international collaboration but a drastic mindset change is needed to get everyone on the same page.
f I have time I will definitely stop by on my travels :)
I dont agree any less with you, we all must be on the same page.
Yes, construction does not come with a high profit margin like oil and gas, the players are very considerate about capital and cash flow.
Any time you land on our shore, I will be waiting
Good post. Thanks for sharing your thought on digital engineering. No doubt, you have enlightened and educated us on this subject. Pls. Post more, you are Great. I follow and upvote you.
Thank you @comrade, hope it brought some value to your day :)
feliz año muy interesante su articulo@pedrolavado
Gracias @pedrolavado :)
How could I forget, Happy New Year to you all :)
Happy new year too for you. :)
Great post, looking forward to seeing your post on blockchain. I pray bitcoin changes my life this year, as I missed out on last year.
Thanks @dee13 it will take a little while but I'll hopefully tie some concepts together in a gradual manner.
I'm sure crypto is yet to change the lives of many but if we keep an open mind and stay hungry for knowledge, i'm sure success will find us :)
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Crazy how fast the field is moving. I once worked on a project building a new hospital and cancer research centre. I was a sales rep for a company trying to get in on the project (classic sales). We had a tiny role, all we had to do was move in some equiptment and plug it in. But the whole thing was organised down to the width of the wheels on our dolly's and what they were made out of that levels of attention to detail was insane. Turns out they were right. Given the 400kg pieces of equiptment we were moving and the dolly's we'd planned to have on site we would have dented their floors! Such an amazingly useful and well thought out set of tools. Trust engineers to come up with something so useful!
Yeah detailed planning is key, being able to account for every issue is the job of designer and digital tools really help this. Having every detail planned out and tying it to a schedule would be called 4D as it links a project programme to the 3D model.
Can you imagine if they got it wrong though? Lol
I mean even in our case, getting something so small wrong would have cost them thousands of dollars in repairs on the floors!
I have my own website for the job updates from construction, Real Estate, Infrastructure , Projects & Oil and Gas industries.
Follow my website http://www.constructionplacements.com/
Construction recruitment is a great business to be in and helps to resource projects! I think the job roles / requirements will evolve over time as Digital Solutions are implemented. The recruitment industry might reflect this in the future.