CU Mar-Apr 2020

INDUSTRY focus
up enhanced communication channels
between project parties, providing a
streamlined approach as opposed to
lengthy email chains. In turn, this will also
aid problem-solving on a project, as
concrete contractors can easily discuss any
potential problems with other contractors,
being able to pinpoint exactly where on the
model the issue is, add comments and
even assign a task to a specific person on
the project.
Q
: Temporary works, including formwork,
can often be overlooked during the
design process. How can contractors more
quickly and efficiently plan, design and
manage formwork operations?
A
: This is a real issue within the
industry. Indeed, we often hear from
formwork contractors and suppliers who
report being brought onto a project last
minute and provided with limited notice
and/or information to deliver the formwork
design drawings.
It is for this reason that we have been
working hard over the last few years to
develop tools within Tekla Structures
specifically for formwork contractors and
suppliers, providing them with the ability to
design formwork in a quick, efficient and
largely automated manner. From a library of
ready-made common formwork
components and the flexible insertion of
different formwork panels, corners, shoring
and pouring platforms to the ability to
automate repetitive tasks, such as the
placing of formwork ties and clamps, with
digital processes formwork contractors can
benefit from intelligent, automatic tools.
Despite often being overlooked due to its
temporary nature, formwork can in fact be
the most time-consuming part of any castin-situ
concrete construction project.
Therefore, the ability to design and model
the required formwork in a way that is both
quick and highly accurate not only prevents
project delays due to design errors being
discovered on site, but also allows for a
more streamlined process, with the site able
to be efficiently and successfully prepared
ready for the concrete to be poured.
Q
: Whether coming from the architect's
office, client or elsewhere within a
project, last minute design changes are
extremely common on any construction
project. However, how a contractor deals
with such changes can have a significant
effect on the overall project delivery…
A
: Yes, last minute design changes can,
understandably, result in significant
consequences for the delivery of a project,
especially if contractors have not digitised
their processes or are still working in 2D
only. Regardless of the building material,
change management can be a hugely
stressful challenge, with considerable time
needed to redesign the component or
section in question, ensure the new design
is constructible within the wider context and
then update all associated precast or rebar
fabrication drawings.
Kilnbridge, the concrete contractor,
experienced exactly this on the Water Street
Bridge project in Canary Wharf, but as a
result of its BIM processes the company
was able to efficiently resolve the last minute
changes. Two weeks prior to a key concrete
element being constructed, the permanent
works engineer noted that the design
calculations hadn't correctly accounted for
the loading from a ship impact, meaning
substantial changes in the concrete
reinforcement were required. Fortunately,
Kilnbridge was able to promptly incorporate
the changes within Tekla Structures and
confirm that the new design was
constructible, enabling the corresponding
fabrication drawings and schedules to be
generated quickly and efficiently.
What's more, by linking BIM software to
Rhino and Grasshopper, concrete
contractors can even further improve their
ability to react efficiently to last minute
changes, as incorporating parametric and
data driven design within the digital
workflow makes it even easier to adapt the
model. Design teams would be able to
update the parameters of the particular
concrete component or rebar section with
the new required figures/data in Rhino, with
the associated model, along with all
documentation and drawings, in
Grasshopper and Tekla Structures
automatically updating.
Q
: Inefficient information transfer,
incorrect documentation and human
error at the concrete design, fabrication
and pouring stage can all prove hugely
detrimental to a project's delivery. How can
concrete contractors work to minimise
such risks?
A
: The amount of information and
documentation contained on any
construction project will be significant,
making it difficult to ensure that the correct
data has been transferred to the correct
stage or department at the correct time,
especially if a contractor has not digitised its
workflow. What's more, with a human
workforce, the potential for human error has
to be an expected risk for contractors to
consider, whether at the formwork design,
pouring or precast or rebar fabrication
drawing stage.
By moving to a digital workflow, this human
element of risk is, for the most part,
removed, with features such as clash
detection, smart information management
and automation all stepping in. A
completed Building Information Model will
contain an immense amount of informationrich
data, from which all pour, precast
fabrication and rebar bending drawings and
schedules can then be generated. This
provides concrete contractors with the
assurance that all resulting data and
documentation will be accurate as it is
recycled throughout the workflow.
Q
: What does the future hold for
concrete contractors?
A
: With technologies moving ahead at a
rapid pace, many contractors risk
getting left behind should they not avail
themselves of all the different efficiencies
embedded within such technology. Indeed,
in the current climate, we are seeing an
increasing number of contractors going
under due to the growing pressures within
the construction industry.
With the emergence of technology such as
point cloud scanning, augmented reality, 3D
printing and machine learning, it represents
a marked change in how contractors can
obtain, transfer and communicate
information. Slowly but surely, we are seeing
the 3D BIM way of working becoming the
norm, with those who have embraced and
positively adopted it already reaping the
project cost savings and the enhanced
efficiency and profitability.
For more information, please visit:
www.tekla.com/uk
March/April 2020 19