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MAY/JUNE 2021
VOL 34 NO 03
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Aiming for the stars
Patano Studio uses Archicad for awardwinning
Goldendale Observatory design
Rising from the ashes
Notre-Dame Cathedral rebuild relies
on Autodesk expertise
HS2 risk registers
3D Repo's SafetiBase uses
Digital Twin technology for HS2
CFD for urban design
Simulating microclimates and
capturing advanced urban physics
INDUSTRY NEWS • CASE STUDIES • HARDWARE & SOFTWARE FOCUS • PRODUCT REVIEWS • FEATURES

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CONTENTS
MAY/JUNE 2021
CONTENTS
Credit: Eurovia UK
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT 8
The construction of a new Boeing Hangar at
Gatwick was a significant project, with digital
technology and BIM at the heart of its
successful delivery
SCRAP PAPER - LITERALLY! 22
Old habits die hard in the construction
industry - but you can wave goodbye to them
and simplify your site management and
compliance requirements with Paperless
Construction
CFD FOR URBAN DESIGN 26
Naghman Khan PhD, Product Marketing
Engineer at SimScale GmbH explains how
CFD is used to simulate the effects of volatile
windy conditions in the proliferating urban
canyons of cities
RISING FROM THE ASHES 30
Credit: Autodesk, Inc
The restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral
embraces digital technology and building
information modeling using Autodesk's cloud
computing services, design and building
applications and technical expertise
NEWS.................................................INDUSTRY NEWS.......................................................................................................6
• IMMERSIVE VR FOR THE AEC INDUSTRY • BOOSTING BIM WORKFLOWS WITH 3D MODELS
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS......................TRANSPORT FOR THE NORTH.........................................................................12
• A RECENT BENTLEY TWINTALK FOCUSED ON TRANSPORT FOR THE NORTH'S 30 YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN
SOFTWARE FOCUS...........................COST PLUS AND OTHER TENDER ISSUES......................................................14
• ACCESS CONSTRUCTION PROVIDES AN END-TO-END SOLUTION COVERING PRE TO POST CONSTRUCTION
CASE STUDY......................................HS2 RISK REGISTERS.......................................................................................16
• 3D REPO UTILISES DIGITAL TWIN TECHNOLOGY WITH SAFETIBASE TO KEEP HEALTH AND SAFETY ON THE RAILS
CASE STUDY......................................THE INVISIBLE CASTLE.....................................................................................18
• HENRI KOPRA ENVISIONS A NEW FUTURE FOR NOTTINGHAM'S MOST PROMINENT SOCIAL HOUSING COMPLEX
CASE STUDY......................................LIGHTING UP THE INDUSTRY...........................................................................20
• HELEN PATTERSON AT JHP PROVES THAT TRADITIONAL VALUES CAN SIT ALONGSIDE EXPERTISE ON ANY PROJECT
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS......................WORKSAFE ANALYTICS....................................................................................28
• AI IS TRANSFORMING MANY ASPECTS OF THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR - WILL YOUR COMPANY KEEP PACE?
CASE STUDY......................................AIMING FOR THE STARS...................................................................................30
• HOW ARCHICAD HELPED PATANO STUDIO WIN AN ARCHITECTURAL AWARD FOR THEIR OBSERVATORY DESIGN
TRAINING MAP...................................AUTODESK TRAINING.........................................................................................32
• YOUR GUIDE TO AUTODESK TRAINING
INDUSTRY COMMENT.......................A CONNECTED INDUSTRY.................................................................................34
• WHY A STRONG CONNECTIVITY STRATEGY MUST BE AT THE HEART OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY'S FUTURE
May/June 2021 3

COMMENT
Editor:
David Chadwick
(cad.user@btc.co.uk)
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Comment
Bitcoin heats up
by David Chadwick
The Bentley TwinTalks article in this
issue highlights an interesting
situation. It stresses that part of the
Northern Powerhouse strategy, in line with
the aims of the rest of the UK Government's
Rail Infrastructure plan, is to reduce carbon
emissions by electrifying the system. At the
same time, the road transport solution to
reduce carbon emissions is heading in the
same direction.
While being entirely laudable aims, one
wonders whether the benefits of each cancel
the other out. Or perhaps a bit of competition
is seen as a good thing, and should in fact
encourage developers to focus on the other
benefits – namely the creation of an overall
transport solution fit for the next 100 years
and the relief of congestion on local roads
and rural train lines.
It's an interesting point, but one which
pales in significance compared to the
actions of Elon Musk, who has opted out of
bitcoin as a source of funds for his allelectric
fleets of vehicles, citing the impact
that bitcoin mining has on global electricity
supply and their environmental impact.
Bitcoin mining is said to consume as much
energy as an average country, with
Argentina or The Netherlands being cited as
typical examples. In fact it is estimated that
it will consume 128 TWh (terawatthours) this
year, according to the Cambridge Bitcoin
Electricity Consumption Index compiled by
Cambridge University researchers, and the
Digiconomist calculates that in 2021 it will
produce about 37 Megatons of carbon
dioxide emissions.
If you are a bitcoin enthusiast, you can
point to the fact that bitcoin mining facilities
are run in cold countries like Norway and
Iceland which have huge renewable energy
resources, but China, which handles 65% of
digital currency mining is heavily dependent
on the coal industry. Remember the cooling
issues for (relatively) minor data centres,
then consider the heat from massed ranks
of processors working flat out. This issue is
being addressed, however, by people like
the Canadian businessman who is using the
excess heat generated from bitcoin mining
to run a number of greenhouses. Bitcoin
mining is heavy on electricity resources and
heavy on processors which work flat out
over limited life-spans (amidst a growing
shortage from Taiwan).
The actual process of mining bitcoins has
two advantages: they guarantee security of
money transactions and have a limited
number that can be mined using vastly
complicated algorithms, hence the power
requirements. The value of each, however,
is not fixed or predictable and is obviously
only of interest to speculators – those who
buy at any price in the belief that they will
find a mug willing to buy from them at a
higher price.
There is also an 'underground' economy of
money launderers and others based around
their pseudonymity, although recently it has
been proven that even that can be broken -
a last resort, possibly, for those losing
millions of pounds because they have lost
'that bit of paper with their password on it'.
The value of bitcoin, Ethereum and the rest
is somewhat irrelevant to most of us who
want to buy houses, cars, go on holidays
and pay household bills. Tesla might have
wanted us to buy an electric car using
bitcoins, but if it's faulty or your holiday is
cancelled then who fights your corner or
refunds your money when Visa, the banks
and the rest of the financial market are
excluded from the transaction?
The digital economy is a part of our future,
but it will evolve when the financial market
itself evolves and we get rid of coinage and
its associated costs, tighten up personal
security issues and learn how to handle
online financial resources as well as we
handle our smartphones.
4 May/June 2021

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INDUSTRY news
IMMERSIVE VR FOR THE AEC INDUSTRY
Asite has opened its new
European office in Amsterdam
as of the company's
push to establish its global
presence and demonstrate its
commitment to serving infrastructure
and capital projects
in the EU. Last year saw the
opening of its data center in
the Netherlands, further highlighting
the software company's
investment in the region.
The new primary data center
supports all projects in the
Arkio has launched version
1.0 of its immersive collaborative
design tool for architecture
after a successful beta
period. With Arkio, users can
brainstorm, sketch, design,
review, present and work
together in real-time in a
shared space using virtual reality
headsets, desktops, tablets
and phones.
Arkio allows its users to be
fully immersed in their designs
through the power of VR,
where they can experience
buildings at scale while shaping
them with their hands in a
physical and intuitive way.
Seamlessly integrating with
popular design tools such as
Revit, Rhino and SketchUp,
Arkio enables users to make
better design decisions faster
and reduce costly misunderstandings
and mistakes during
the design process.
Arkio will be free to use until
September 1, 2021. With Arkio
Pro users can collaborate with
up to 24 people in real-time
and import/export unlimited
files from Revit, Rhino and
Sketchup. Arkio Pro also
includes additional security
when collaborating as well as
extended edit history, enabling
the user to go back and create
new design options based on
previous work. Arkio Enterprise
offers more flexibility and additional
workflow integrations,
enabling you to assign guest
editor rights to viewers in a
meeting, import/export from
Autodesk BIM 360 and get
access to priority support and
training to get started.
www.arkio.is
ASITE OPENS NEW OFFICE IN AMSTERDAM
region and ensures that information
for projects within the
EU will remain in the EU.
The EU is a key area of
growth for Asite and the new
office, which will be home to
regional Services, Sales, and
Marketing teams, will ensure
that European clients have
local access to the excellent
customer services that Asite is
known for, along with more relevant
offers and events.
www.asite.com
DUBLIN CITY UNI FINDS ITS DIGITAL TWIN
Dublin City University and
the Insight SFI Research
Centre for Data Analytics at
DCU have announced a new
research partnership with
Bentley Systems to build Ireland's
first higher education
digital campus. The collaboration
will involve the creation of
a digital twin, which will be a
complete 3D version of DCU's
campuses and a part of the
Smart DCU Project.
The digital twin will incorporate
real-time data, gathered
from IoT sensors on footfall,
congestion points, energy and
Recognising the industry
shift towards offsite methods
of construction, Trimble
(UK) has released an E-book
that aims to raise awareness of
Design for Manufacture and
Assembly (DfMA), the benefits
such an approach can offer
and how DfMA and digital
processes can work together
to provide additional value.
'How to win at digital construction
using a Design for
Manufacture and Assembly
(DfMA) approach' explores the
theme of offsite in more detail.
Specifically: exploring DfMA,
what it means in a practical
sense, the value it can bring to
both a project and a business
and how digital construction
tools can help to deliver DfMA.
While Offsite Construction has
water usage and other important
data that can inform planning
and infrastructural development.
In addition, the information
gathered will also help
to inform and enhance the student
experience at DCU.
The project will leverage the
considerable expertise of the
Insight Centre at DCU to generate
valuable insights that
have never been seen before.
Phase one of the partnership
will involve the creation of a
digital twin of the Glasnevin
campus.
www.bentley.com
FREE TRIMBLE E-BOOK DEMYSTIFIES DFMA
been around for many years, it
is perhaps only recently that it
has truly come to the forefront
of the industry. The UK government
is also delivering a clear
push on modern construction
methods, with offsite, standardisation
and a 'Kit of Parts'
approach all featuring in the
recently published Construction
Playbook and National
Infrastructure Strategy.
The free E-Book also includes
case study examples of how-
BIM has been used at the
Design, Manufacture and
Assembly project stages to
help bring structures to life, as
well as discussing the future of
the industry and how BIM fits
into the concept of standardised
design.
www.tekla.com/uk
6
May/June 2021

INDUSTRY news
AN ELEVATED VIEW OF TRAINING FROM IPAF
The launch of a new mobile
app for operators of mobile
elevating work platforms
(MEWPs) and mast-climbing
work platforms (MCWPs) aims
to bring training certification
into the digital era and reduce
the environmental impact
involved in issuing the International
Powered Access Federation's
(IPAF) PAL Card and all
training certification.
IPAF's new ePAL app is free to
use and features the first ever
digital IPAF PAL Card, operator
log book and operator safety
guide. It also allows operators
to receive the latest best practice
tips and safety information,
and means operators can share
their qualifications with site
managers quickly and easily.
The ePAL app is a major step
forward in IPAF's ongoing drive
to boost sustainability, as it
shifts away from issuing plastic,
credit-card sized PAL Cards
via the post to every training
candidate successfully completing
or renewing an IPAF
operator course.
www.ipaf.org
BOOSTING BIM WORKFLOWS WITH 3D MODELS
Design studio Buttress is
using 3D building models
from Bluesky to create interactive
walkthroughs and VR presentations
as part of its BIM
workflow. Created from the
most up-to-date and accurate
aerial photography, the models
are used to provide context,
giving stakeholders the opportunity
to explore a design in its
real-world location using QR
codes or VR headsets.
Buttress has used the Bluesky
models on numerous projects
including a pioneering redesign
of the Kings Gate at Caernarfon
Castle and master planning for
the Ancoats area of Manchester.
"We use Bluesky models to
accurately assess the impact
our proposals have on key
views," commented Paul Thornborough,
BIM Manager at Buttress.
"This may be the effect a
proposal has on the view of an
historic building from across a
valley or how a project relates
to its immediate neighbours."
Buttress imports the data into
its Revit BIM software where it
sits alongside architectural
drawings or design strategies.
Following a degree of post
processing, to create realistic
and relatable representations,
the data is then exported to
Buttress's visualisation software
to further enhance this
realism. The resulting presentations
are then shared and
accessed by any interested
party via mobile devices, using
scannable QR codes, or
immersible VR experiences.
www.bluesky-world.com
CONNECTED CONSTRUCTION FORUM IN JUNE
Luxion, the maker of
KeyShot, the first real-time
ray tracing and global illumination
program for 3D rendering
and animation, have
announced the release of
KeyShot 10.2 with a group of
new features and enhancements
that bring more options
and optimisations.
The updates with KeyShot
10.2 round out the focus of
KeyShot 10 in the areas of
materials, geometry, and workflow.
Across each of these,
improvements in performance
The Autodesk Connected
Construction Forum will take
place on June 10, 15 & 17th as
a virtual event to learn about
digital transformation in our
industry and how the new unified
offerings in Autodesk Construction
Cloud are enabling
the future of connected construction.
The two-hour event
will air three times over three
geos, featuring pre-recorded
welcomes, a keynote, four
master classes with Autodesk
experts, as well as live networking
with regional hosts.
The event is targeted for midlevel
construction professionals
across multiple roles. Attendees
will learn about the benefits of
digital transformation, how the
new unified offerings in
Autodesk Construction Cloud
are making digital transformation
real, and where they can
start to make an immediate
positive impact in their projects
and company. The Europe
forum takes place on June 15th.
https://bit.ly/3x4o1tB
NEW ENHANCEMENTS FOR KEYSHOT 10.2
and usage have remained a
priority. Key new features in
KeyShot 10.2 include a new
caustic algorithm, a redone
materials library with new material-specific
thumbnails, a
touch-friendly new layout style,
and a mesh simplification
geometry tool that allows a
user to reduce the number of
triangles in a mesh while keeping
the overall shape, along
wiith new import options and
other improvements across
materials, user interface, and
workflow capabilities.
KeyShot is the first real-time
ray tracing application that
uses a physically correct render
engine based on scientific
research in the areas of accurate
material representation
and global illumination.
www.keyshot.com
8
May/June 2021

CASEstudy
Boeing Hangar proves sky is the limit for Tekla
Forming part of Boeing's strategic plans to expand its Global Fleet Care Service, the
construction of a new Boeing Hangar at Gatwick was a significant project, with digital
technology and BIM at the heart of its successful delivery
Designed by D5 Architects and
measuring 150 metres by 95
metres, approximately the same
size as two football pitches, the
construction of the new Boeing Hangar
at Gatwick required around 3000
tonnes of structural steelwork.
Designed to enable servicing of the
787 dreamliner and 737MAX, the
hangar was also to provide future
accommodation for the new 777-9X,
set to be Boeing's largest and most
efficient twin-engine jet plane, larger
than Boeing's 747 jumbo jet.
Appointed as the lead design
consultant on the
project,
Mott MacDonald was contracted to
deliver the structural, civil,
infrastructure and MEP design, while
JD Pierce, structural steelwork
contractor, was tasked with detailing
and fabricating the hangar's steel
frame. With both of them playing key
roles in the delivery of the project, they
each turned to Trimble's suite of Tekla
software for support.
Talking about the project, Pierre-Louis
Morcos, who led the Mott MacDonald
team, said: "Unsurprisingly, this was a
hugely exciting project from our
perspective as structural engineers.
Given the structure's function as an
aircraft hangar, providing a large and
column-free space was imperative,
ensuring there is sufficient room
to safely manoeuvre
aircrafts
within the hangar to meet the functional
requirements. For us, this obviously
meant that we were limited in terms of
available space to position our
supporting structure and had to
carefully consider load paths and the
overall stability of the structure in both
the temporary and permanent case."
Mott MacDonald carried out the main
steel frame analysis in Tekla Structural
Designer, with a hybrid of braced and
portal frame with a notch-back profile.
Pierre-Louis Morcos continued: "There
were numerous challenging factors for
our team to consider, in addition to the
structural frame's lateral stability,
buckling, thermal effects, and wind
loads. Given the large uninterrupted
internal space and heights associated
with 5 to 10-storey buildings, we were
working with some really long steel
spans. As a result, it was essential that
we considered buildability and
transportation
constraints
May/June 2021 9

CASEstudy
Tekla Structural Designer - End Connection Design
Boeing Hangar
early on to ensure the construction
programme could be achieved and to
reduce working at height. It wasn't
enough to just model the building 'as
built'. It was important to model the
building and consider its structural
performance in different conditions and
consider the practical and logistical
perspective of assembly and
transportation from factory to site."
An example of such a logistical
challenge was the process of
transporting the large steel sections of
frame from JD Pierce's factory in
Scotland to the Gatwick site. With some
of the steel trusses at low bay
measuring up to 66 metres in length, to
transport these would have been a
major challenge. Instead, Mott
MacDonald opted for a design solution
that considered those constraints,
whereby some of the steel trusses were
made shallower for simple shop
welding. This meant they could be
transported to site as complete
elements, without being spliced
vertically nor requiring special
transportation permits. Due to their
length the low bay trusses had to be
split into four shorter sections
horizontally, which were simply bolted
together on site and lifted into place.
In further considering the installation
sequence once elements were
delivered to site, efforts were made
during the design stages to develop a
design that would allow the permanent
stability system to be achieved early
during construction. This was aided by
the positioning of the plan and
elevation bracing.
Ian Poole, structural engineer at Mott
MacDonald, explained: "It was vital to
accurately analyse and model the
hangar's structural stability from an
assembly point of view, not just as a
final complete structure. For example,
sections of the building were modelled
to provide a permanent stability system
almost immediately after lifting, with a
considerable reduction in temporary
works. Such as the box girder truss at
the front of the hangar, which was
designed so that it would provide the
required stability for the rest of the high
bay to be constructed, with minimal
temporary works.
"Being able to accurately visualise,
evaluate and analyse design decisions,
such as these, in Tekla Structural
Designer was hugely valuable, and was
in fact one of the key benefits of the
software for us."
Another example of Tekla Structural
Designer in action on the project relates
to the hangar's central plate girder
column - a key structural element. Ian
Poole continued: "Earning a project
nickname as the 'one-million-dollar
column', this central column was crucial
in helping support the notch-back truss
and, in turn, a large part of the roof
load. Not only this but the location of
the column was also highly critical,
ensuring that it would not negatively
impact on the available manoeuvrability
space within the hangar.
"Understandably, it was a hugely
complex design, with numerous steel
connections required at each joint,
unique details and large axial and
shear connection forces to consider."
Through a combination of the skill and
experience of the engineering team and
the intelligent visualisation and analysis
tools within Tekla Structural Designer,
Mott MacDonald was able to achieve a
more efficient structural column design,
saving both time, weight and cost.
Ian explained: "Another challenge on
the project, where the use of Tekla
Structural Designer aided us in
evaluating alternative design options,
was regarding the steel connections.
Given the height of the hangar's steel
support columns, some were to be
fabricated as two separate
components, before being bolted
together on site.
"Originally, the columns were
designed with cover plate connections.
However, following JD Pierce's
proposal to use end-plate connections
instead, we were able to model the
stability of each connection in Tekla
Structural Designer and determine
which connection was most suitable in
terms of performance and efficiency. As
a result, we were able to conclude that
the end-plate connection offered an
easier installation, while also providing
the required structural stability."
Once the structure of the Boeing
Hangar had been modelled in Tekla
Structural Designer, including all
required deflections and loads, Mott
MacDonald was then able to transfer
10
May/June 2021

CASEstudy
Architect's drawing of Boeing Hanger
Tekla Structural Designer - Temporary Works
this file to JD Pierce - streamlining the
whole process.
Speaking about their role on the
project, Angus Cormie, Chief Engineer
at JD Pierce said: "We were tasked with
detailing and fabricating the hangar's
envelope support frame and steel
connections. Having been a Tekla
customer for over 10 years, we knew
that the software had the intelligent
tools needed for a project of this size
and significance, particularly with
regards to speed and accuracy.
"Once we received the model file from
Mott MacDonald, we were then able to
feed this data into our Tekla Structures
model. As Pierre-Louis Morcos has
already alluded to, it was crucial that
the on-site construction of the hangar
was considered throughout the detailing
phase. Here, again, Tekla software and
the level of visual detail contained within
the 3D model was a real help, enabling
us to plan and coordinate the whole
installation process.
"However, it was perhaps regarding
the project's temporary works that Tekla
Structures and the use of BIM proved
the most valuable. While Mott
MacDonald had carefully engineered
the hangar's steel frame structure to
provide a level of permanent stability to
itself during construction, thus reducing
the amount of temporary steel supports
required, some amount of temporary
works still remained essential.
"In fact, temporary stability is a big
aspect of constructing steel frame
buildings, such as this, with careful
planning and design of the temporary
works essential. The design of the build
phase rests with the fabricator and
Tekla Structures and Tekla Structural
Designer provided the tools for us to
carry it out safely and efficiently.
"As aforementioned, the box girder
truss at the front of the hangar was a
key structural element, designed to
provide early frame stability once
constructed. However, due to its overall
size and the weight and number of the
individual steel components, it was
decided that it would be safer to
assemble it on the ground, before
being crane lifted into place. As a
result, temporary props were required
to provide a framework for the truss
sections, while being bolted together
on the ground.
"Using the model in Tekla Structures,
we were able to extract the exact
weights and centre of gravity for each
individual steel component, to within a
5mm accuracy. This enabled us to
determine the design and positioning
of the temporary steel framework, as
well as helping safely plan and
coordinate the subsequent crane lifts.
Given the level of detail we get from the
model, we can be sure of exact weights
and therefore choose the appropriate
cranes to lift. This made our lives so
much easier, enabling us to evaluate
everything in an efficient manner and
obtain the required information at just
the touch of a button."
Once the Tekla Structures model and
corresponding fabrication drawings
were complete, JD Pierce was then
able to transfer this data straight from
the 3D model into its CNC machinery.
Angus concluded: "The benefits of this
streamlined process are clear. Not only
does it save us time, but it also removes
the potential for human error. Thanks to
the excellent level of detail contained
within the Tekla model and the intelligent
integration between the software and
our semi - and fully - automatic
fabrication machinery, the resulting
accuracy is fantastic; as evidenced by
the build quality on the ground and
subsequent connection at height.
"It is this accuracy which is perhaps
one of the biggest benefits of a modelbased
workflow, benefitting not just a
project's permanent works but also its
temporary works and the assembly
process too. You get a model and a
structure that is designed to be built.
Thanks to automatic clash detection
and integration with other trades, you
can ensure that the final design is both
correct and, most importantly,
constructible. BIM software, such as
Tekla, is such a major development
within the industry, something that
would have helped solve and avoid so
many problems on past projects."
Following steel erection commencing
in June 2018, the construction of the
Boeing Hangar facility was completed
in November 2019, with the project
shortlisted in the 2020 Structural Steel
Design Awards, achieving National
Finalist.
www.tekla.com/uk
May/June 2021 11

TECHNOLOGY focus
Transport for the North
The topic for a recent Bentley TwinTalks presentation was Transport for the North's 30 year
Strategic Transport Plan and its proposed Northern Powerhouse Rail Programme. The aim is to
enable the North of England to reach its true economical potential by investment in transport
and active travel while reaching net zero carbon target by 2045, writes David Chadwick
As a Scouser, many years ago, the
classmates in my primary school
North of Manchester where we
moved to, just 20 odd miles away, used to
make fun of my Liverpool accent. I don't
know how much has changed, but people
from other parts of the country would be
amazed at the variation in accents from one
side of the North English coast to the other.
The stratification of the region is further
exacerbated by the difficulty of travelling by
public transport from one side of the
country to the other, which is often essential
as the overworked M62 is the only viable
route across the Pennines. Anybody living
on the NW coast wishing to work in Hull, or
even Leeds, faces lengthy train journeys
with frequent changes on slow and
crowded trains on ancient rail networks.
Changes are obviously needed, and HS2
has probably been the catalyst for them.
The region's civil and business leaders
have been tasked with driving through
improvements in the form of Transport for
the North, which delivered its 30 year
Strategic Transport Plan in 2019. The plan
clearly set out the building blocks for
releasing the North from the straightjacket it
finds itself in - a lack of transport investment
over the last four decades.
The new Chief Executive for Transport for
the North (TfN) is Martin Tugwell, who is due
to take up his appointment this summer. In
the meantime, the Northern Powerhouse
Rail Director, Tim Wood, has been holding
the baton as Interim Chief Executive until
Martin Tugwell joins. As such, Tim was
invited to present one of Bentley Systems
TwinTalks on the Northern Powerhouse
initiative, hosted by Antony Oliver.
THE NORTHERN POWERHOUSE RAIL
The biggest single piece of investment in
the North of England since the Industrial
Revolution, the series of upgrades to
existing lines and investment in new routes
is set to transform the connectivity,
capacity and resilience of the rail network
in the region, but it is more than just an
investment in infrastructure. It will provide
better connections between the major
economic centres (Leeds, Manchester,
Hull, Liverpool, Sheffield, Newcastle, and
Manchester Airport), enabling them to act
as an integrated economy that will
generate opportunities and attract greater
investment in the area, while crreating
thousands of jobs.
It will also provide additional benefits for
the environment. Due to the inefficiencies
of the current rail network, Northerners
have tended to rely on personal transport
(60%), hence the frequently gridlocked
M62 and other motorways. If train services
are faster and more frequent, Northern
Powerhouse Rail (NPR) estimates that they
could shift 58,000 cars off the roads every
day, enabling drivers to use more
environmentally sound electrified rail
services. Added to this, an extra 35,000
seats at peak hours would be available.
The NPR Strategic Outline Case is due to
be delivered to the Government later this
year, following the imminent publication of
the Integrated Rail Plan, which will lay out
how it intends to integrate Northern
Powerhouse Rail, HS2 and the
Transpennine Upgrade. Transport for the
North already has a preferred
transformational network covering all
seven corridors and an agreed phasing
plan, which was approved by the TfN
Board earlier this year. Tim Wood says he
hopes spades will be in the ground by the
mid 2020s, digging the foundations for a
brighter economic future for the North of
England and its 15.4 million residents.
12
May/June 2021

TECHNOLOGYfocus
FINDING THE RESOURCES
There are two major considerations that
need to be taking place in this huge and
long-lasting project. The first is an
increased demand for a trained and
talented workforce - bearing in mind the
competition for resources from HS2 and
the Transpennine route upgrade.
Consequently, Tim said, we have to
energise the recruitment and training of
engineers in the local colleges and
universities, and to liaise with contractors
and consultants to ascertain their
preferences for new talent. Most of us in
the industry are middle-aged or older, and
it is the younger generation who will be
taking this forward.
The other issue is the adoption of the
latest technologies to enable the projects
to be run efficiently, meet demanding
environmental targets, and overcome the
endemic under-investment in the region. At
the forefront of the technological
enhancements will be the recourse to
digital twin technology, which will enable
simulations to be made and decisions
made in a virtual environment before they
are implemented on the ground.
The need to improve efficiencies within
the project were highlighted by Antony
Oliver, fielding a question from one of the
TwinTalks audience - Roger Ford of
Modern Railways - who was concerned at
the replication of bureaucratic overheads
impacting costs on the Transpennine
Route Upgrade (TRU), and the need to set
up an environment that would not create
the same failings as in the TRU. Another
question was asked about the impact of
COVID-19 on our working practices,
undermining some of the assumptions
made prior to the report's development.
Tim responded by stating that the North
was disproportionately impacted by the
pandemic, partly because the economy
and industry in the region didn't allow
large parts of the population the
opportunity to work from home, but he
explained that HS2, TRU, and NPR are
long-term programmes, and we would
eventually be getting back to the sort of
growth (194%) in rail patronage that we
saw in the last 20 years.
NPR will use lean principles and be a
challenging client dedicated to delivering
value for the taxpayer and maintaining tight
deadlines, which so far on the programme
have been achieved in full. NPR will
provide increased capacity in the form of a
Turn up and Go Metro System with 6 trains
an hour in each direction between key city
regions like Manchester to Leeds via
Central Bradford, or Liverpool to
Manchester via Central Warrington and a
new Airport station at MIA, this coupled
with journey times slashed.
NPR will build more stations that reflect
the way people's working habits are
changing: i.e. to use them as business
meeting places, rather than as just a
thoroughfare, and to ensure that they are
integrated with local transport facilities,
such as trams and buses.
THE USE OF DIGITAL TWINS
Northern Powerhouse Rail is, according to
Tim, the most complex rail scheme he has
seen, with a complete upgrade of a
network laid down by the Victorians, and
which involves new lines and significant
upgrades, decarbonisation of the network
by electrification of the technology, and the
digging of numerous tunnels through the
Pennines, having first of all surveyed the
terrain they will go through. It also needs to
allow HS2 trains to run on NPR lines.
That means a huge amount of data is
being amassed from every technology
involved. Tim worked with Mark Coates of
Bentley Systems on a Major Project
Association paper, which looked at the
power of digital twin technology and its use
in data predictive analysis. It has now
become an important feature of the
project, enabling huge efficiencies to be
made by simulating sections of the
network and to provide a working and
sustainable virtual environment to support
the strategic plans.
A fascinating insight into the extent of the
technology being used, and its
possibilities, has been provided by
Tim Wood - Northern Powerhouse Rail Director
Professor Peter Woodward at Leeds
University, who has used some of the data
to analyse the terrain's geology and
undulations in order to create a simulated
train line on the track which responds to
curves on the line at different speeds. It
allows users to get a feel for what it will be
like travelling on NPR (and perhaps
forestall the initial negative reactions that
Pendolino passengers raised).
NET-ZERO MITIGATION
The drive towards a net-zero economy is a
large feature of the project. The aim to
reduce operational carbon emissions from
the transport network has resulted in a total
shift away from fossil fuel burning diesel
transport to electrified systems, and the rail
electrification program is a large part of
this. NPR will put more trains into the
network and reduce reliance on diesel
trains. Set against this, as mentioned in
NPR's Options Appraisal, is a
corresponding reduction in carbon reliant
road transport - and the more road
transport is decarbonised, the lower the
carbon benefits of NPR become. The
project is reliant on the decongestion of
the alternative routes as a motivating or
validating factor.
Like HS2, the pros and cons will continue
to be debated, but we have to remember
we are aiming to develop a viable transport
strategy for the region that will last as long
as the legacy Victorian one has.
www.bentley.com
May/June 2021 13

SOFTWARE focus
Cost plus and other tender issues
Access Construction ERP software comprises award-winning Enterprise Resource Planning
(ERP) EasyBuild and ConQuest Estimating, providing an end-to-end solution with the visibility to
take control of a project from pre to post construction.
Which comes first, the tender or
the estimate? Well, the
information required to fulfil both
functions is essentially the same
throughout the whole bidding and
construction process. From preparing
invitations to subcontractors or suppliers
to tender or to calculate running costs,
Quantity Surveyors rely on software
applications that give them full visibility
and control over the financial elements of
the construction process.
It's a process that can generate a huge
amount of data and many thousands of
documents over the life of a project, which
can last for many years, and is backed up
by material and component libraries and
subcontractor directories that have to be
kept up to date.
As invitations to tender are sent to
numerous potential contractors they, in
turn, respond to many more tenders than
they would expect to be awarded. As the
period between the submission of the
tender and the commencement may be
years apart, tendering information
frequently becomes outdated and needs
to be refreshed. Those that have been
received, are relevant and are up to date
need to be compared against rival
tenders.
It's not all straightforward. Contractors
sometimes put in low bids to ensure they
get the contract, knowing that at some
stage in the future they would be able to
raise construction issues to increase their
low margins. On other occasions there are
unknowns about the project that make
estimating difficult. When this occurs,
there is an agreement to reimburse a
company for expenses incurred plus a
specific amount of profit, usually stated as
a percentage of the contract's full price.
This provides a degree of flexibility to the
contractor and is known as a cost plus
contract. Tenders would also be submitted
based on inferior materials, or lower
standard construction and Health & Safety
procedures, also designed to minimise
the tendering company's costs.
Maintaining an up-to-date contractor
database that details previous work
performed for the main contractor allows
past records to be used to qualify future
performance expectations.
Projects, therefore, can no longer be
handled in isolation with data held in
unique silos compiled from dedicated
applications, require data translation or
manual intervention to produce financial
reports collated from the data.
ACCESS CONQUEST ESTIMATING
SOFTWARE
To get even this far, though, an invitation to
tender cannot be completed until a
Quantity Surveyor has looked at the
building plans and broken down the
construction process into finite tasks and
calculated the materials and resources
required to complete it. That requires the
implementation of a cost estimating
application such as ConQuest Estimating
Software, which provides the tools needed
to manage the cost element of a project,
including:
ongoing cost estimation
quantity surveying
progress reporting and analysis
take-offs for tenders
access to material and other libraries
Now it can be taken further. After the
acquisition of ConQuest by the Access
Group, and the subsequent purchase of
EasyBuild with its dedicated and cloudbased
construction ERP platform, the
Access Group now provides a
comprehensive construction cost and
estimating solution and a total financial
management system for a project's
complete lifecycle
ConQuest's Estimating Software already
allowed contractors access to an easy-touse
cost control and reporting system with
the ability to perform variance analyses
and cashflow forecasts and other critical
functions. Now with access to EasyBuild's
cloud-based ERP capabilities, all of the
financial information, updated libraries,
contractors records and other critical
information available for all of an
enterprises projects - throughout the
complete lifecycle of a project - is
available, and with appropriate access
levels for managers and finance
throughout.
ANALYTICAL ESTIMATING
It's a complex industry, and pretty
hidebound, as well, and suppliers and
14
May/June 2021

SOFTWAREfocus
Accessing libraries in Access ConQuest Estimating
On-screen takeoff
subcontractors have developed a myriad
of alternative options for pricing their
goods or services, but the Access
ConQuest Estimating Software can handle
them all, working with outputs, constants
or divide by bill quantities, or you can
enter prices or rates yourself, allowing the
software to complete the pricing process -
and saving the result as an option that can
be used for other suppliers.
The software can also be used to
generate detailed resource analyses,
incorporating labour, plant, material and
subcontractor schedules with quantities,
rates and totals. Materials can also be set
to accommodate wastage, compaction or
other factors. Bill summaries can be set to
match activities, and you can switch
between elemental and trade pricing.
Elemental cost plans evolve through the
life of the project, developing in detail and
accuracy as more information becomes
available about the nature of the design,
and the actual prices provided by
subcontractors and suppliers.
COMPARING SUBCONTRACTOR
QUOTES
Being able to compare subcontractors or
supplier's quotes requires the same
flexibility. Access ConQuest Estimating
sets up lists of items for each trade along
with the names of suppliers receiving an
enquiry, which can then be refined by
deleting non-responders or unsolicited
quotes. Missing rates or gaps in the
tenders can be plugged with lowest,
highest or average rates, or by applying
an analytical rate from the bill.
You can add in arbitrary amounts for
visits, attendances, prelims and items with
discounts or fixed price terms (items that,
subsequently, could usefully be
incorporated within personal time sheets
using EasyBuild ERP) or filter elements of
your analytical build-up to reflect just
labour, labour and plant or any other
combination, aiming to match an
assortment of quotes as closely as
possible. Having assembled your
bunches of apples, pears and grapes,
Access ConQuest Estimating will rank
them accordingly - with the lowest at the
top of the pile.
ONLINE ENQUIRIES
There is a lot of work being done by the
main contractor for each project on
requesting, receiving, processing and
grading quotes, but subcontractors and
suppliers are able to participate in the
process as well by accessing the Online
Enquiries feature in Access ConQuest
Estimating where subcontractor
document packages have been
uploaded to a secure cloud storage area.
By doing so the relevant project
documents can be made downloadable
for each trade or supplier.
Each of these packages are quickly set
up and links sent to subcontractors,
inviting them to use the online facilities.
The Online Enquiries feature also records
who has looked at the quotes, who has
quoted and who has declined to quote,
and you can tag the contractor, set up a
tracking filter and remind them to quote
using the integrated email system.
ON-SCREEN TAKEOFFS
It is a rare project that doesn't have
architectural modifications, amendments
and additions to the original plans, and
Quantity Surveyors have to be similarly
agile in revising their estimates and
calculations. This is enabled by the rapid
takeoff features of Access ConQuest
Estimating. Users say that they can extract
the information they need on most jobs in
less than an hour: viewing and measuring
from any 2D document, CAD files PDF
drawing or 3D and BIM model. You can
choose to use 2D or 3D, and the 3D
option allows users to turn off layers and
pan round the model for convenience.
Using on-screen takeoff regular and
curved areas can be measured and
lengths, objects and perimeters extracted
in a variety of electronic drawing formats.
You can even recalibrate drawings to cater
for distortions. As you do this, your
measurements appear instantly in an
adjoining on-screen window next to your bill
and are transferred to the job with one click.
VALUATIONS AND COST PLANNING
The meat of Access ConQuest Estimating
is its estimating and tendering options of
course, but there are many other features
that we haven't had the space to cover
here which we will feature in our next
issue. These include the benefits of the
software's new integration within
EasyBuild's ERP software, the effective
use of Access Cloud computing, and
Accesses Health & Safety options for the
construction industry.
www.theaccessgroup.com
May/June 2021 15

CASEstudy
HS2 Risk Registers
3D Repo utilises Digital Twins technology with SafetiBase to keep health and safety on the rails
for HS2
a framework for how health and safety
information that is gathered can be
applied through BIM process and
applications.
Keeping with the consortium's goal of
providing a simple, structure and
connected solution, it was tackled in
three phases:
Phase 1: Extract data and develop the
interface.
Phase 2: Integrate opensource cloud
system.
3D Repo SafetiBase - Excavation and TC Interface
Phase 3: Develop a dashboard platform
and automation.
HS2 is set to become a key piece of
infrastructure connecting towns
and cities across the UK for
decades to come. And with the
government's plan to achieve net zero by
2050, replacing the number of longdistance
domestic journeys made by both
aeroplane and car with high-speed rail will
go some way to reaching those goals.
Rail infrastructure, like most infrastructure
projects, is complex and challenging due
to the vast scale and duration of the
projects and the number of parties
involved. Time, cost and communications
are all pain points for any rail project team.
And health and safety is a critical aspect
interwoven through all stages of the
project, from design through to
construction, operation and maintenance.
SAFETIBASE
This was the driver for the creation of
SafetiBase. In 2018, a venture involving
BIM and digital twin specialist, 3D Repo,
and an industry-wide consortium
including Atkins, Mott McDonald, Laing
O'Rourke, Costain, Bentley, Tideway and
HS2 Ltd, was born, with funding from
the Infrastructure Industry Innovation
Partnership (i3P).
The consortium behind SafetiBase came
together because there were already best
practice examples available, they just
needed pulling together. The aim of
SafetiBase was to create an online
platform that tracks and then analyses
project risks and health and safety issues.
The construction industry needed a better
way to manage health and safety
information, something that was more
structured and better connected than just
using a risk register.
For those who don't know, a risk register
is exactly as it sounds: a register that
documents all the known risks on a
project. It's critical for any construction
project but risk registers vary between
person to person, project to project and
even within an organisation. A better,
automated solution was needed to
recognise risks earlier on in a project and
to minimise time taken to identify risks.
To ensure SafetiBase was a solution that
could be used across the construction
industry, it adheres to industry standard
PAS 1192-6. This standard encourages
the sharing of health and safety
information across the industry. It sets out
3D Repo's digital construction platform
was chosen due to it being a web-based
platform with an open API, allowing users
to view information in their native Revit
modelling system too. To enable further
analysis, users can connect Microsoft
Power BI to create custom dashboards
and thus gain better insights.
In November 2018, the SafetiBase team's
work was recognised at the Construction
Computing Awards winning the 'Health
and Safety Software Award.'
KEEPING H&S ON TRACK
At the backend of 2020, HS2 announced
its partnership with joint venture Balfour
Beatty VINCI (BBV) and 3D Repo to
harness the power of SafetiBase using
4D to invigorate its training to boost
worksite safety. Health and safety has
always been serious business for HS2,
which has its 'Safe at heart' initiative,
focusing on all aspects of health and
safety. Through the work HS2 was already
doing with 3D Repo, embracing 4D
learning technology was the next step in
making constant improvements.
The first initiative involves using
Mission Room, which provides 360°
16
May/June 2021

CASEstudy
3D Repo SafetiBase Worker/Machinery access
capture and visualisation solutions. The
collaboration, funded by HS2, has
enabled a 4D, 360° virtual version of the
West Midlands BBV construction site
within HS2's Area North route.
The dedicated Mission Room at BBV's
Birmingham site office takes workers 'onto
site', in the safety of an office
environment, to explore and discuss
design and site issues. It also works
remotely with team members able to join
remotely and tag hazards.
Commenting on SafetiBase's
progression to 4D, Balfour Beatty VINCI's
Head of Innovation & Transformation, Dan
Fawcett said: "The integration of
SafetiBase 4D is yet another step forward
on our journey towards achieving Zero
Harm - keeping our workforce, business
partners, suppliers, subcontractors and
members of the public safe.
"Using this immersive innovation, we are
able to fully visualise our sites and interact
with the works sequence, showing how
specific HS2 assets will be built piece by
piece. Creating a truly digital workflow for
capturing hazards, assigning ownership
and ensuring action is taken to mitigate or
manage these risks, SafetiBase 4D also
ensures that we are delivering efficiently
and effectively throughout the programme
of works."
4D data is integrated from Synchro into
3D Repo and allows the team to
democratise, visualise and analyse the
output of 4D modelling to the wider
project team. This enables full cloudbased
collaboration with issues and risks
linked to the 4D timeline.
CREATING THE TOOLS
Introducing another 4D element into the
mix, 4D consultancy Freeform joined the
collaboration earlier in the year as funding
for a new training system was provided
through a Small Business Research
Initiative (SBRI) innovation competition
funded by HS2 and managed by Innovate
UK. The aim of the competition is to
deliver innovation that will drive project
efficiencies and processes for use during
the design and construction phase of HS2.
The customisable online training tool is
now under development by 3D Repo,
BBV and Freeform as of March 2021.
The currently unnamed tool will replace
generic training videos and
presentations with live walkthroughs of
site-specific 4D visualisations based on
existing BIM models that can be
understood in any language.
Generic safety training will be replaced
by real-time, site-specific visualisations
delivered via an easy-to-use cloud-based
user interface. Health and safety aspects
will be coordinated with the Health and
Safety Executive (HSE) Discovering Safety
Programme with the aim to enhance
opportunities for compliance and
reusability across other contractors.
Commenting on the need for the new
tool, Dr Jozef Dobos, CEO at 3D Repo,
said: "Inductions and onboarding in UK
construction are usually delivered using
generic PowerPoint slides, pre-recorded
videos and printed questionnaires. This
new training solution will enable site
personnel to quickly and easily generate
engaging site-specific induction materials
that are easy to comprehend and
therefore reduce accidents and nearmisses
through better quality training."
DISCOVERING SAFETY
Through the creation of SafetiBase, the
consortium has been working alongside
the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on
the Discovery Safety programme. This has
led to the creation of the SafetiBase Risk
Suggestion Tool. Working with the HSE
and the University of Manchester, 3D
Repo is exploring how an open learning
stream - one true dataset - can unlock the
potential of an incident-free construction
environment. Users will be able to learn
from the information and lessons of other
projects in real-time, mitigating risks. By
searching for a risk in the database, a
suggested treatment is offered.
But this extends beyond a basic
spreadsheet. Everything is defined by
industry standards and anyone who has
access can have a conversation with
another member of the project team and
better articulate and analyse the risk. It
also provides a full audit trail so gives
peace of mind.
DIGITAL: A HEALTH AND SAFETY
SOLUTION
It's clear that where infrastructure,
contractors and technology collide, great
things can happen, and the solutions
developed can be used across all
construction projects to the benefit of the
wider industry.
3drepo.com
May/June 2021 17

CASEstudy
The Invisible Castle
Henri Kopra's winning submission for this year's Vectorworks Design Scholarship envisions a
new future for Nottingham's most prominent social housing complex
The Vectorworks Design Scholarship
produces some great submissions.
The winning entries typically excel in
two areas - great creativity or phenomenal
research. This year's UK winner, “The
Invisible Castle” by Henri Kopra of the
University of Nottingham, falls into the
latter category, and hypothesises the
development of social housing in
Nottingham with a remarkable journey
through the history of social housing.
Henri's research was carried out in
collaboration with Nottingham City Homes
and under the supervision of Alison Davies'
Studio Unit 5A, celebrating the centenary
of the Addison Act that enshrined council
housing in 1919.
The Title of his submission, “The Invisible
Castle“, refers to Victoria Flats, a sprawling
high-rise development in the centre of
Nottingham, which houses council tenants
and which is largely unseen by Nottingham
residents in the Street below, despite it
being the tallest building in Nottingham.
The title also serves as a metaphor for the
dwindling percentage of council house
tenants in the UK, down from 40% in 1980
to just 7% now, and the diminution of their
status. Henri argus that it is time we
revisited the provision of housing to
working class families and those unable to
afford the rapidly rising costs of home
ownership and private rents.
His views are supported by a
comprehensive review of Government
initiatives and acts since the mid 19th
century to the present. Concern about a
rapidly rising population and the
concentration of industrial workers in
growing cities and their satellites led to the
growth of 'Victorian slums'. From 1848 to
1898, act followed act with the Public Health
Act, the Artisans and Labourers Dwelling
Improvement Act, leading up to Ebeneezer
Howard's 1898 plans for Garden Cities,
designed to draw people away from the
adversities of city dwelling and place them
in healthier leafy suburbs with green spaces
and more of a rural outlook.
Little was done to achieve this until the
aftermath of the First World War, as
soldiers returned to their slums. The Prime
Minister, David Lloyd George promised to
build "Homes fit for heroes" and so the
1919 Addison Act was passed, which
authorised local councils to provide good
quality housing on a large scale - acting
upon advice from the 1917 Tudor Walters
report, which suggested that all homes
should have a parlour, living room, 3
bedrooms, bathroom and larder. The
Garden City was adopted as a template
with developments that still attract approval
today, and in the 1920's 5 million houses
were built to such standards,
costing an average of
500 pounds
each - the equivalent of two year's civil
servant's salary.
The Second World War triggered a
different response as soldiers returned to
rebuild shattered cities. A similar rush to
build was initiated but suffered from
inadequate consultations with architects
and planners, and the process was
characterised by low construction quality,
poor maintenance and overcrowding, and
the reputation for council housing declined.
The focus also switched away from
Garden Cities to higher density high rise
buildings, adopting modernism as a
philosophy and moving away from
suburban sprawl. The emphasis was on
function rather than ornamentation,
supplemented by off-site prefabrication -
the flimsy, short-lived and unloved prefab.
A slew of Government Acts moved the
process forward, including the 1956
Housing Subsidy Act which subsidised
Councils more the higher they built, until
that was cut following the Ronan Point
disaster in 1969, leading to the rapid
decline in quality and
reputation of high-rise
estates. A period of Post-
Modernist development
followed, which moved
away from the
blandness of the
18
May/June 2021

CASEstudy
Commune 4 testbed perspective
Victoria Flats living room redesign
functionalist ethos and attempted to
provide a degree of diversity of style,
culture and interest in high-rise
construction. The best example of this is
the Nottingham Woodlands development,
upon which £18 million was spent, and
which resulted in a significant drop in crime
in the area, promoted by the Nottingham
Cities Homes NCH initiative.
The biggest changes, though, were
initiated by the Government's 'Right to Buy',
which saw the volume of available public
house fall from 40% to just 7% today. Now
homes are generally seen as an investment
rather than habitation, with a drop in the
standard of accommodation and a major
shortage of affordable housing. The interest
now is in short-term profits and the
construction of overpriced houses which
are out of reach to most, either to buy or
rent privately.
VICTORIA FLATS
Conceived in the 1960s by Artur Swift &
Partners as a concrete and glass
megastructure mixed-use housing and
shopping centre around three public areas
for pedestrians, Victoria Flats was
completed in 1970, although its
construction was somewhat compromised
because of the oil crisis at the time. Victoria
Flats now consists of a number of tower
blocks from 7 to 23 stories in height, built
on top of a two-storey shopping mall in the
vicinity of Victoria Station. Entrance to the
flats is via the shopping mal, the largest
enclosed mall in the world at that time, over
a covered car park which shared its
distinction. When the mall is closed, tenants
have to use a rear entrance in Milton Street,
with restricted entry to residents supervised
by a security guard.
The 2,100 flats have just 6 lifts between
them - often broken down - and are
connected to the access lifts and an
adjoining Tesco's by 'relentless' narrow
corridors and many fire doors. The flats are
basic and all very similar with high windows
which you can't see out of when you are
seated, and which have been covered with
tinted film to cut down on overheating -
which gives tenants the impression that
they are constantly wearing sunglasses.
There is space on the roof areas for small
garden plots but they are largely unused
grassy patches.
Henri included a series of very positive
interviews with a number of tenants, but the
underlying impression was that the
configuration of the flats didn't encourage
much social cohesion among the tenants,
and had a lack of amenities - the width of
the corridors and access mitigated against
mums with prams and bicycles.
Some attempts have been made to
improve the flats. In 1994 pink and blue
pebble dash was added along with the
window tinting. But the more than 2 million
pound cost of updating the 5,104
windows, and the environmental cost of
replacing the embedded carbon by tearing
the structure down and rebuilding, are
considered to be excessive.
COMMUNE 4
Henri put forward an alternative by
reconfiguring the existing flats to provide a
more varied topology that would cater for a
wider demographic, with a variety of open
spaces, double height areas, balconies
and multi-aspect windows. He based his
ideas on examples from Le Corbusier and
other architects who have had greater
success in integrating communities in highrise
buildings.
Passive, as well as mechanical ventilation
and energy generation would be improved
to reflect current requirements and reduce
operational carbon requirements and
emissions, and the corridors reconfigured
to provide 'pocket' parks as relief spaces.
Existing spaces, such as the roof garden
with its 1.6 hectare space available, would
be rehabilitated and used more effectively.
Ultimately, the reconfigured flats would be
clustered in a number of Communes. So
for example Commune 4 would consist of 3
or 4 clusters of 15 bedsits, flats,
maisonettes, or town houses - both
horizontally as well as vertically.
To change the configurations of the
uniformly constructed flats would require
some of the concrete panels to be be cut
into, reshaped and subsequently
reinforced. Structural elements, such as
tension trimmers and cross-members,
would be used to create cantilevered
balconies and other overhanging features.
In an interesting extension, excess heat
from the shopping mall would be used as a
'shop-source' heat pump to provide an
early morning central heating boost -
countered by new cladding and a thermal
buffer of vigorous planting schemes,
THE VALUE OF RESEARCH
Henri's thesis highlights the role of
comprehensive research when planning
major social projects. How many of the
issues in the original designs for Victoria
Flats would have been implemented if a
proper analysis of its occupation had been
carried out? We regularly conduct in-depth
research and analysis for current projects,
but how will they fare in 50 years time
against future expectations? Henri's
submission gives much food for thought
and a well laid out solution.
www.vectorworks.net
May/June 2021 19

CASEstudy
Lighting up the industry
Helen Patterson at JHP Electrical proves that traditional values can sit alongside professional
expertise on any project, writes David Chadwick
Turning the floodlights on a commercial
electrical contractor highlights the
variety of skills needed to install,
revamp, service and maintain electrical
equipment. The range of jobs they usually
get involved in cover everything from
industrial scale installations and
refurbishments to specialised floodlighting
for sports and other activities. One
company that provides complete electrical
solutions for a wide range of clients is JHP
Electrical, who count sports clubs, schools
and colleges, NHS hospitals and clinics
amongst their customers, as well as
commercial property developers.
Speaking to Helen and Jonathan
Patterson, co-founders of the company, I
was interested to hear that providing
floodlighting for golf ranges figured largely in
their expertise, and even more astonished
to find out that the golf ball tracking systems
that they supply and install alongside
floodlighting are rapidly becoming a musthave
feature for most golf ranges. As a keen
golfer I will come back to more of that later.
JHP ELECTRICAL
JHP Electrical is a family run company
based in Hertfordshire. The business, set up
in 2001, is run on traditional family values -
both Helen and Jonathan work together as
a team and value an open-minded
approach where they can learn and grow
JHP together. Helen has been the main
driver of this approach, which is reflected in
the professional attitudes of their team and
the respect shown to the company by
employees and clients alike.
JHP acts either as a subcontractor on
large-scale developments, working with
principal contractors, architects, surveyors
and interior designers, who know and
appreciate that the company can cover
every aspect of a full electrical fit-out, from
planning and design drawings to final
installation and certification. They know
that they are employing experienced,
approved and reliable electrical engineers
and that they can always rely on the quality
of their work.
The company also deals directly with
customers on specific electrical projects,
working for NHS premises such as
hospitals and clinics, or for educational
establishments. They have ongoing
contracts with a number of schools within
the Herts, Middlesex, London and
Hillingdon areas. The type of work
undertaken ranges from refurbishments of
lighting systems and kitchens to larger
upgrades like the installation of power,
benching and data for projects like school
and college ICT suites.
Working for hospitals such as Hillingdon,
Mount Vernon, Stoke Mandeville and Milton
Keynes, during the COVID-19 lockdowns
meant that JHP were given key worker
status whilst they worked on ward electrical
refurbishments and A&E expansions.
As specialist fit-out contractors, JHP also
works directly with retailers and other
private sector clients and business owners
to offer a comprehensive electrical fit-out
service underpinned by NICEIC approved
electrical engineers.
MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE
JHP Electrical can also set up maintenance
and service schedules for any type of client,
with regular inspections culminating in the
provision of an Electrical Installation
Condition Report (EICR) detailing outcomes
and recommendations - otherwise known
as landlord certificates. On the practical side
Jonathan believes that despite the
introduction of LED lighting, which is
generally quoted as being maintenance
free, regular maintenance is an essential
part of any lighting installation.
A build-up of dirt can affect the mechanical
control gear and reduce the equipment's
lifespan. A service, repair and maintenance
contract would typically include things like
floodlight cleaning, alignment checking and
the replacement of defective lamps, and
would also include mast and foundation
20
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CASEstudy
maintenance in accordance with BS EN
12193:2007. In addition, what is often
forgotten is that equipment, such as failed
lamps and electrical components that are
being thrown out, fall under the category of
hazardous waste - and, of course, there are
further regulations that deal with that.
SPORTS FACILITIES
A large part of the work that JHP Electrical
get involved in involves sports halls and
facilities. JHP offers companies involved in
their management advice and technical
support on the options available to them
and the type of lighting they should be
installing to suit particular sports or
activities. That advice is often extended to
local parish and other councils who are
entrusted with maintaining the harmony
between public sports facilities and private
housing - in other words preventing the
enjoyment of one facility from encroaching
on the lifecycles and comfort of its
neighbours - and who have the power to
grant or deny their approval dependent
upon designs and their compliance with
regulated industry standards.
Sports stadia, halls and courts may also
have substantially different lighting
requirements depending on the sport or
activity involved, the amount of light required
for its enjoyment and whether constraints
need to be put in place to prevent light
diffusion, or where the venue may be used
regularly for TV coverage. Jonathan
mentioned three levels of professional
lighting which should cover most types of
sport or venue. As an aside, and although it
wasn't discussed, I would have thought that
there is a difference between the focus and
positioning of lighting required for football as
opposed to cricket pitches - where a lot of
critical action entails skied cricket balls.
Multi-user games areas (MUGAs)
obviously have more complex lighting
requirements, and JHP are able to advise
on suitable combinations of different types
to enable the venues to be used to their
maximum throughout the year. As a result of
their involvement with many sporting
associations and sports clubs, JHP has
become a member of the Sports and Play
Construction Association
DRIVING AMBITION
Golf ranges are particularly vulnerable to
light pollution, as golfers need to follow balls
over greater distances, covering every
corner of the range. JHP Electrical's driving
range lighting provides floodlighting that
doesn't diffuse over areas outside the
range, and enables golf ranges to extend
their opening hours, especially in winter
months, thereby increasing their revenues.
JHP have also switched lighting
technologies to maintenance-free LED
technology, cutting back banks of 1100
watt lamps to just 300 watt systems, which
reduces the running costs considerably.
They are also easier to direct and minimise
light pollution in the air and at the sides of
the ranges, whilst providing sharper,
brighter lighting.
What I find fascinating, though, is the
growing use of technology to assist golfers
in following the trajectory of their practice
balls after each stroke. Many ranges now
offer one of two types of golf ball tracing
technology, namely Toptracer or Trackman.
Toptracer is a double-camera based system
that triangulates and records the exact
position of balls in flight, whilst Trackman
users radar technology to do the same.
Golfers can replay each strike on the
accompanying screen beside their practice
tee to see whether their ball has been sliced
or hooked or has, in fact, gone exactly
where they intended it to. Time to dig out my
rusty clubs and put it to the test.
For any golf pro running a range,
lighting designs and quotations can be
returned very quickly and JHP reckon
they could get you up and tracing by the
end of mid-summer.
EVERYONE'S AN APPRENTICE
As an Approved member of the National
Inspection Council for Electrical Installation
Contractors (NICEIC), JHP is inspected
every year. The company is also a member
of trade bodies such as Construction Line,
Trust Mark and Safe contractor. All of its
employees are CRB checked and ECS
approved and every job it undertakes is
risk assessed.
But JHP goes further than that, as it values
training and development for all its
employees, most of whom are currently
enrolled on apprenticeships, including both
Helen, who is on a Coaching Professional
apprenticeship and Jonathan, who is
currently studying Management and
Leadership at West Herts College. Every
new employee is invited to enrol on any
apprenticeship scheme that improves their
skills, expertise and professional abilities -
helping build loyalty and quality of
outcomes for the future.
Professionalism is an apt topic to end on,
as both Helen and Jonathan are
determined to maintain it as the motivating
force within their company. For them it
means being able to complete a task to the
full satisfaction of a client, and it applies to
every trade within the construction industry,
from the smallest subcontractor to the
largest organisation. JHP Electrical fulfil this
role admirably.
www.jhpelectrical.co.uk
May/June 2021 21

SOFTWAREreview
Scrap paper - literally!
(Credit: Eurovia UK)
Old habits die hard in the construction industry - but you can wave goodbye to them and
simplify your site management and compliance requirements with Paperless Construction
One of the biggest unsung benefits
of paperless construction will be
the demise of the vehicle front
shelf filing system. It had its limitations,
among them the integration of the
contents of the takeaway coffee mug with
the handwritten spreadsheet of the day's
activities as you went round a sharp
corner, and the supplier's wrinkled invoice
that got discarded with the sandwich
wrappers, but it was a convenient and
quick storage facility for both the detritus
and the vital documents of a hectic
construction site.
It needs to go, but it also needs to be
replaced by an alternative system that
requires scant extra effort in its
performance. By happy chance, doing so
eliminates the time-consuming but
worthless activities involved in rewriting
missing time sheets, chasing delivery
note duplicates, correcting wrong entries
or even just trying to decipher your own
handwriting - you get the point!
We can now solve a lot of these issues
online by using mobile technology such
as smartphones and tablets, and it is only
natural that they be used to handle the
myriad of forms, rules and regulations that
you come up against on a building site.
Linked to a central repository of forms
and data, entries can be entered in realtime
just once, and checked, validated
and shared as they occur.
PAPERLESS CONSTRUCTION
An intuitive mobile application that
provides just such an environment is
Paperless Construction, a name that
aptly describes its ability to replace the
whole panoply of paper documents that
you traditionally have to deal with on a
building site - timesheets, material
requisitions, environmental and
management inspections - along with
quality and safety checks. It can go
much further though, and provide
induction and daily briefings, dig out
permits, link safety alerts to specific tasks
and produce method statements or work
package plans.
With safety in mind, users can
download COSHH (control of
substances hazardous to health)
briefings, or 'toolbox talks' - short
presentations on a single aspect of
health and safety which can be provided
in PowerPoint as a PDF.
As a mobile platform it allows
construction teams to work more
effectively on remote building sites and
eliminates frequent trips to the Head
Office to hand in paperwork, pick up
instructions, and update admin on
progress and resources required.
Using the application's Site Management
tools, users simply load documents onto
their smart devices and follow the
instructions onscreen to enter data, which
is subsequently uploaded to be shared
with the relevant back-office applications
and other interested employees.
Supervisors can add users to these
online site meetings by scanning in their
QR codes supplemented by photo
verification. This feature allows anyone
with the Paperless app to confirm briefing
attendance from their own device. They
can join online training sessions or
meetings and confirm attendance through
their own app, with no photo verification
required for this feature.
COMPLIANCE IS KEY
Sloppy paperwork habits are often a
symptom of equally careless man
management and Health and Safety
22
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SOFTWAREreview
(Credit: Eurovia UK)
(Credit: Eurovia UK)
habits, both of which can safely be
relegated to the past using Paperless
Construction. The time has long since
passed when you could hire employees
on an ad hoc basis, hoping to sort out the
details during the next tea break. With
Paperless Construction new workers can
be set up in minutes after checking their
online working records and qualifications
by scanning the employee's QR code,
and their subsequent attendance
recorded. You can even apply fatigue
management tools for both workers and
visitors, and if they are needed to work on
a number of projects then the information
and travel time can be coordinated within
their timesheets as well. All personal
information shared online is covered by
the usual GDPR requirements.
Fatigue management may be unfamiliar
to you but the UK Government has its own
take on it, and cites it as a major cause of
accidents and inefficiency on building
sites. This can now be audited and
controlled with the Paperless Construction
app: from stating how long a road drill
operator can safely work in one session,
to providing advice on working patterns
on the construction site.
Paperless Construction provides a full
health and safety audit trail which includes
verification from the site manager that any
procedures and instructions that the task
requires have been complied with. That
even extends to a unique feature - an SOS
function that allows individual project
members to raise an alarm in the event of
an emergency and conduct a subsequent
online 'roll call'. Safety briefings are
necessary for each project and include
inductions and any safety training that
may be required.
FORM FILLING
Back to the basics. We still need to fill in
forms, but now they can be downloaded
as checklists and other types of
documents whenever required, completed
with information immediately to hand and
uploaded straight away to update the
project database. Downloaded forms from
Paperless Construction cover all
construction site requirements and are
easy to fill in, and can be signed
instantaneously with electronic signatures.
They can also be supplemented by
annotations, photos, comments. voice
notes and more.
Data from each form becomes
immediately available to support
management decisions, and can be acted
upon to speed up material requisitions,
update schedules, initiate faster payments,
hire equipment and improve the efficiency
of working processes - which in turn will
increase the profitability of each project.
ATTENDANCE RECORDS
A number of different methods of signing
in and out and keeping attendance
records are available to suit typical working
conditions on large and small sites. Wall
mounted kiosks might well suit the largest
operations with frequent usage compared
to smaller ones, where direct contact with
supervisors allows them to record comings
and goings on mobile devices. There is
even a facility for remote sites not yet
connected to the internet.
The system can also accurately monitor
travel time and rest periods, as well as
working hours. RAG (Red, Amber, Green)
ratings for a project can, similarly, point to
working time excesses which can be dealt
with accordingly in real time.
THE PAPERLESS WEB
Paperless Construction gives site
managers and other supervisors the ability
to manage the flow of information and
compliance with standards and working
processes in a simple and efficient
environment. It also provides proactive and
instant updates for project managers
working in the Head Office. This means that
compliance can be monitored from any
location using the Paperless Web app -
with business or project level dashboards
providing feedback from any application.
Data can also be exported for custom
setup Business Intelligence dashboarding
with its KPI data visualisation tools to
assess a project's performance.
Using the app, managers have access to
information about contractors, users, all
documents, briefings and checklists, and
can monitor compliance or proactively
issue tasks to users, check audit trails, or
instigate any site or project related activity.
FREE TRIALS
You can book a free two week trial of
Paperless Construction for up to 20 people,
which includes a free briefing, full access to
all of its features and the assistance of a
Paperless Construction rep. If that's not
enough, you can go further and pay for a
three month pilot for up to 50 users for
£750.This includes project reporting, and if
you find it works for you then you can move
to one of three monthly per user contracts.
These are Starter, invoiced on a per
contract basis; Annual, which includes
unlimited projects with cross-project
reporting, and Enterprise, available for
companies with specific needs supported
by a dedicated Success Manager.
https://paperlessconstruction.co.uk
May/June 2021 23

CASE study
Aiming for the stars
Archicad helped Patano Studio win an architectural award for their upgrade design for the
Goldendale Observatory
Patano Studio's work on the
Goldendale Observatory Project
won an AIA Seattle and Architecture
Master Prize award - no small feat, given
that it was the first public project the team
had implemented Archicad on from start
to finish. The ten-person firm had recently
switched over to Archicad, a decision
driven by a few key factors, explained by
principal Christopher Patano, who said
"We were always very committed to
detailed modeling and visualisation of our
projects, elements which are critical to
how we work."
Prior to adopting an Archicad workflow,
Patano says there were many steps to
his team's design process. "I would build
a 3D model and work on the design
(before Archicad) and we'd have to
convert that into CAD and other
rendering programs, and convert the
ideas back into CAD for the production
documents. To say it was a laborious
process is a bit of an understatement.
We would end up doing the same project
and documenting it four times."
Patano knew Archicad from his first job
upon graduating college. He even
advocated for Archicad while working for
a large firm in Seattle. When the time
came for Patano, as the leader of his own
firm, to make a software selection, he
jumped on that opportunity.
Because Patano Studio works with
public agencies regularly, opting for
Archicad has proven to be a good choice,
as it involves in-depth public
presentations, graphic demonstrations,
and needs to be supported by a high
standard of documentation. As such
projects rely on public funding they also
have a low tolerance for costly change
orders.
When Patano Studio took on the
Goldendale Observatory Project the
Archicad workflow simplified the ability to
share design intent right from the
beginning. "We could consolidate
everything through Archicad and its 3D
visualisation, and BIMx was our go-to for
showing our progress to our clients.
Creating a 3D walk-through makes it
easier for a client to understand what the
project will feel like when it is finished,
which adds so much value."
A portion of the existing observatory
needed to remain and be renovated as
part of the project. Parts of the building,
notably the dome room where the main
telescope is located, were kept intact. The
plan called for the demolition of the rest of
the existing building to make way for
the new design. Archicad enabled
the team at Patano Studio to come up
with a design for the new sections
reflecting the high level of precision of the
retained sections.
"We were able to achieve this using
Archicad's advanced 3D modelling
capabilities. The area being kept was the
telescope room with its dome and
uniquely configured geometry. When we
needed to incorporate it within the new
design we could switch between 2D to 3D
and accurately study its alignment with the
new interpretive space and visitors center
- all of which was critical for our own
understanding of the overall design.
Archicad helped us understand the
structure of the building and make
creative decisions about how we needed
to tie the different parts of the project
together."
A UNIQUE DESIGN
Patano says Archicad allowed them to
approach the design for the new parts of
the observatory with a unique take,
meeting the site's distinctive location
requirements head on.
"Our design envisioned an ellipse and a
circle - no straight walls anywhere. Being
able to use BIM to design an ellipse in a
circle and the connecting
pieces accurately and to
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CASEstudy
understand how all those pieces fit
together spatially was extremely
important. The site constraints, however,
added another layer of difficulty - located
on a mountain peak in the middle of
Southwestern Washington.
The proof as they say, is in the pudding
and Patano says the team went through
the whole construction process of a "very
fussy, challenging building" without
conflicts or change orders. "We tested the
promises of Archicad throughout the
project and found that the design was
there, the accuracy was there, the
construction documents were beautiful,
and the construction was as streamlined
and conflict-free as you could wish."
CONFLICT-FREE AND PROFITABLE
Making the move to Archicad showed
Patano Studio that public projects could
be profitable. When Patano considers how
much time was spent reworking and
redoing steps in multiple applications and
software solutions before Archicad there's
really no question that the switch made all
the difference for the smaller practice.
"It is relevant to firms of our size, but it
translates to larger firms as well. In reality
we went from being barely able to be
profitable on public projects, losing money
because of all the drawing and
documentation requirements and the time
it took in AutoCAD and other programs, to
the Goldendale Observatory project where
we immediately saw an incredible
increase in efficiency. Neither did any of us
see any trade-off when it came to design
ideals and inspiration", Patano added.
"Archicad allows us to work at the
highest level of design that we demand of
ourselves and that our clients come to us
for. Being able to do it in a way that is
more efficient means we do not lose
money. Our projects move forward in a
timely manner - and we can better
estimate the time and effort needed to be
spent on it, and which is reflected in our
contracts. That's a huge benefit."
It remains to note that, when bidding on
public work, the requirements tend to be
more intensive versus a development
project. Jurisdictions add requirements all
the time, but Patano's firm are able to
keep up with them because Archicad
gives them a streamlined workflow in a
powerful program. "Using Archicad has
been fantastic and frankly it has changed
our business. That's why, once we started
with Archicad, we became fully committed
to it. We implemented it on every project
that the contract would allow."
VISUALISING PROJECT SUCCESS
Patano Studio is currently working on a
visitor center in Southern Idaho for the
Idaho Department of Parks and
Recreation and the National Park Service.
They have also completed projects for
Washington State Parks and are
designing a waterfront development for
the Port of Friday Harbor. Everything they
are doing is happening in Archicad
across the board.
"We typically provide multiple public
presentations, so we immediately seized
on the ability to make three-dimensional
models and diagrams straight out of
Archicad, and embraced BIMx and its
ability to just create presentations, taking
them beyond what Patano Studio had
been able to do before."
"With a tablet and hook up to a monitor,
we put the building on the screen and can
walk the public through the floor plans,
show them the outside, answering
question by spinning the model around
and positioning them inside the pool or
the locker room. Our practice of always
documenting and drawing in great detail
gets the added boost from Archicad's
capabilities so we can show that work and
help communicate the project to the
public, which is critical."
Using Archicad for presentations means
Patano Studio can convey what the space
feels like inside, or anywhere outside the
building. "This amps up the understanding
and comprehension, which in turn has
facilitated public outreach efforts and
allowed the public to fully embrace
designs because they understand them.
Too often, designs get a pushback and
negative reactions simply because the
ideas have been difficult to put across."
SAFE, INCREASING OUTPUT
Patano Studio kept safe during COVID
restrictions by employing the Graphisoft
BIMcloud server. "When everybody went
remote, we had no setbacks or
slowdowns. We just kept working.
Everybody took home their computers
from their desks, hooked up and started
working again."
"Making the move to Archicad increased
our capabilities so much. When we
compete with larger firms for these public
projects, we can show equal quality of
documents and renderings and client
communication. We have the advantage
of being more nimble, able to respond to
our clients without the bureaucracy of
large firms.
"We want our clients to understand that
with Archicad and associated
technologies, we can serve their clients
better. We can be more innovative with
design and materials and experiment with
new ideas and help our clients meet some
pretty aggressive goals."
www.graphisoft.com
May/June 2021 25

TECHNOLOGYfocus
CFD for urban design
Naghman Khan PhD, Product Marketing Engineer at SimScale GmbH explains how CFD is used
to simulate the effects of volatile wind conditions in the proliferating canyons of urban cities
Figure 1: CFD simulation results analysing pedestrian wind comfort
around the famous 'Walkie Talkie' building in London
Figure 2: Tall buildings significantly impact
the microclimate of their surroundings and
require CFD simulation to capture their
impact correctly
Computational fluid dynamics
(CFD) allows designers and
engineers to simulate fluid
motion using numerical approaches. A
wide range of problems related to
laminar and turbulent flows,
incompressible and compressible
fluids, multiphase flows, and more can
be solved using CFD tools.
Recent applications in the construction
industry have enabled a more advanced
treatment of microclimate
considerations when designing
buildings and cities. In addition to this,
the built environment is expected to
withstand the pressures of a changing
climate which has become increasingly
volatile. Fortunately, a building or city's
resilience to climate unpredictability can
be ensured with testing and simulation
to validate designs against external
climate factors. Architects and
engineers can iterate and innovate
faster with easy and accurate CFD
simulations on the cloud.
WHY USE CFD?
CFD is the mathematical modeling of
the behavior of fluids using software.
Online fluid dynamics analysis allows a
designer to create a digital model of a
building and simulate how it will
respond against atmospheric and
environmental variables such as wind
velocity and direction. A user can run
multiple simulations of their design
congruently, testing against various
wind profiles, atmospheric conditions
such as gusts and storms, and also
import CAD models of neighboring
buildings to evaluate how a proposed
development will impact an existing site.
Figure 1 shows the average velocity at
the pedestrian head level (1.5 m) for
one wind direction. Here, architects and
urban planners can quickly identify
higher wind velocities around the
corners of affected buildings. This
cornering effect can have an even more
substantial impact when two opposing
buildings are subject to it and when the
street is parallel to the wind directionand
it can be observed on the narrow
streets on one of the sides of the
building. Uncomfortable areas are the
ones with 8 m/s wind velocity and
above, which are depicted in the
orange and red zones.
Simulations like these, considered at
the early stages, allow designers to derisk
their urban designs from a
microclimate perspective. A user can
quickly iterate the setup and run
comparative analyses. Traditional onpremise
fluid dynamics tools take
significant computational hardware
resources and time to solve a single
simulation. In the example above, a
study of 16 wind directions on standard
CFD software might take 8 hours for
each direction, totaling 128 hours.
A new generation of CFD solvers,
based on lattice Boltzmann method
(LBM) codes, can now solve transient
CFD simulations an order of magnitude
faster, meaning a design team can
simulate the same example above at 2
hours for one wind direction (Instead of
8 hours). The GPU accelerated
microservices architecture employed by
cloud CFD tools also means that
simulations can be performed in
parallel. Using the same example, all
16 wind directions would run
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TECHNOLOGYfocus
Figure 3: CFD is used to simulate the impact various types and
quantities of trees have on the wind comfort profile of an area
Figure 4: Different tree species can be simulated using
CFD to evaluate their impact on the local microclimate
simultaneously, and the total simulation
time would still be 8 hours. An architect
or urban designer can simulate dozens
of urban layouts in parallel, saving time
and cost.
THE BENEFITS OF CFD
Urban areas have many environmental
factors that need accounting for when
designing buildings and cities. A city
will be subject to uneven heating and
cooling as the sun rises and sets,
depending on its built form and skyline.
Some areas will be shaded, while
others are in full receipt of the heat gain
from the sun, leading to convective air
currents that impact the local
microclimate. Wind profiles in urban
areas are artifacts of many
aerodynamic and atmospheric forces;
from surface roughness to turbulence
caused by urban canyons, these
factors tend to be transient phenomena
and are difficult to predict. They require
mathematical modeling to understand
their behavior and interaction with the
built environment.
A CFD simulation can accurately
model such phenomena, including
pedestrian wind comfort, building
aerodynamics, urban heat island effect,
and the impact of solar shading.
Specific types of urban design and
building typology also require
additional treatment. Tall buildings for
example (Figure 2) tend to be sensitive
to small changes in atmospheric
conditions, such as wind pressure and
turbulence. These atmospheric
changes create aerodynamic effects,
including downwash and corner
acceleration, that negatively impact
local pedestrian wind comfort. They
also significantly impact overall building
performance and are not captured in
standard building energy design tools
used in the industry.
Coupling these tools with CFD,
however, is a quick way to increase the
accuracy of thermal and energy models
used for design and compliance.
APPLYING CFD - THE CASE OF
GREENING STRATEGIES
A practical application of CFD can
compare urban design layouts and
greening strategies (Figure 3). Trees
and vegetation are increasingly being
used to pedestrianise areas that were
initially not intended for people. Trees
hinder the effect of wind as it passes
through their leafy canopies. A
grouping of trees as part of the
streetscape or local amenity tends to
dramatically impact an areas' character
and physical appearance. With this in
mind, we can assume varying types of
trees offer more or less resistance to
the wind flow.
For example, the Sycamore tree has
less air resistance than a Fir tree
(Figure 4), based on its calculated leaf
density. This ability to allow fluid (air) to
pass through, known as porosity, is
measured through experiments, and
the results are then defined through a
leaf area index and applied in a CFD
simulation.
SUMMARY
CFD is increasingly recognised for its
ability to capture advanced building
and urban physics and add a level of
design assurance/validation to many
projects. CFD results provide vivid
details and a deeper understanding of
how designs perform under various
circumstances, allowing more focus on
performance at the early design stages
for the construction sector and beyond.
Cloud-based engineering simulation is
unlimited by computing power or
accessibility issues, and fosters
collaborative working environments for
distributed design teams of architects,
urban designers, and engineers. This is
reflected in recent guidance from local
planning authorities. The City of London
Corporation, for example, has recently
released the wind microclimate
guidelines for developers, which
specifically mandates the use of CFD
during the design stage. It is also seen
in standards and planning jurisdictions
globally, as the construction industry is
forced to face the challenges of an
uncertain and changing climate.
www.simscale.com
May/June 2021 27

TECHNOLOGY focus
Worksafe analytics
AI is transforming many aspects of the construction sector. Salman Chaudhary, CEO at EmpiricAI, looks
at why those companies that move early will set the pace of the industry and gain prime benefits
Around 7 per cent of the world's
workforce is employed in
construction activities and whilst
other sectors have embraced AI, until
recently at least, construction sites
have lagged behind. This is against the
background of a report by McKinsey
which highlighted that total economic
output per construction worker has
remained flat, compared to productivity
gains of 1,500 percent in
manufacturing and agriculture since
1945. It points out that one of the
reasons for this is that construction is
still an under-digitised industry and
slow to adopt new technologies.
However, all that is changing with
Computer Vision AI having the ability to
make construction sites more efficient
and safer, whilst saving costs. AI offers
a transformative change from a laissezfaire
approach that relies on
construction workers following general
health & safety rules to monitoring,
detecting and reporting breaches on
COVID-19 social distancing and face
mask wearing.
When COVID-19 hit, the construction
sector faced significant challenges in
terms of securing supply chains and
dealing with uncertain customer
demand. Workplace safety suddenly
became an incredibly significant
challenge for a lot of construction
businesses. Most organisations
implemented manual monitoring of
social distancing and wearing of face
masks as standard operating
procedures, although the level of
compliance has been patchy. Without
active and comprehensive monitoring
of how the guidelines are being
followed, it's virtually impossible to
know whether the risk of infections was
being reduced.
As a consequence, very early in the
pandemic there were some large
outbreaks on site that lead to
shutdowns and inevitable delays to the
build schedule. At the same time, we
had been developing Computer Vision
AI that focuses on visual data and
algorithms that can be applied to
images and videos. The goal was to
help site management teams to
accurately and comprehensively
monitor how well workers were
complying with the safety guidelines
they had put in place. The technology
does this by applying AI models on
CCTV camera video feeds to detect
proper face mask usage, social
distancing, and crowding within a
workplace. This data is then analysed
and assessed to provide specific
insights into where improvements to
workplace safety can be made.
Capturing this data - a task that would
be impossible using observation and
spot checks by Health & Safety
Officers - provides a detailed
assessment of the risk of infection, PPE
compliance and potential disruption to
a business. This reassures businesses
by reducing the risk of infection and it
also gives employees confidence that
they are working in a safe environment,
protecting themselves and their
families.
As we move beyond COVID-19,
Computer Vision AI will remain a
disruptive technology in construction.
The possibilities extend to risk
mitigation (time, cost and safety risks),
28
May/June 2021

TECHNOLOGY focus
project planning, through to monitoring
that workers are wearing correct PPE,
for example, a safety harness. The
opportunity to leverage AI and
Computer Vision is phenomenal. It has
the ability to improve most aspects of
site operations, whilst reducing cost.
CASE FILE
We recently deployed our Computer
Vision AI WorkSafe solution in a large
plant. The system leverages existing
surveillance and security assets. KPIs
were set to monitor staff mask usage
improvement and social distancing
requirements around COVID-19. The
aim was to provide rapid and targeted
insights into where the business could
improve its already robust occupational
health policies to reduce risk to its
employees and avoid operational
interruptions.
Following the 6-week pilot project,
which began in November 2020, the
business recorded a multi-fold
improvement in monitoring (spot
checks vs Computer Vision) and
witnessed more than 80% reduction in
social distancing violations within first 4
weeks of pilot deployment and up to
90% reduction in mask noncompliance
towards the end of the pilot.
SUMMARY
There are huge opportunities for
Computer Vision AI, especially for
activities that require human inspection
and are repetitive. It has the ability to
make businesses more productive, to
reduce their operational costs and
carbon footprints, and to keep
employees safe and businesses
protected.
Despite concerns about job losses, AI
is unlikely to replace the human
workforce. Instead, it will alter business
models, avoid expensive errors, reduce
worksite injuries, and make
construction sites more efficient.
However, construction is still behind the
curve when it comes to implementing
AI solutions, although it is catching up
rapidly, mainly as a result of the
pandemic, where digitisation helped
reduce the risk of infections and
enabled sites to become fully
operational quicker.
Unlike other 'point' solutions, which
offer limited coverage at entry points or
procedural and manual checking,
Computer Vision AI platforms provide
insights on how effective current
measures are and, importantly, where
improvements can be made over time.
It also enables employers to see
where they need to do more with
education, awareness or physical
measures to improve safety. We
believe this combination of real-time
monitoring and measurement of
effectiveness will bring confidence in a
future of work which is safer for all. As
a business, our goal is to help
construction lead the digital revolution,
moving it away from basic IT tools to AI
and computer vision.
ABOUT EMPIRICAI
Empiricai was founded in 2018, and is
now established as an innovative
provider of AI-powered advanced
analytics solutions aimed at industrial
process engineers and health & safety
professionals. Its software solves
business challenges from improving
operational performance, reducing
costs, improving productivity and
reliability, to minimising health and
safety risks at work.
The team of industrial engineers,
health & safety experts, data scientists,
and software engineers have
developed innovative applications that
empower its clients, enabling them to
leverage their data for actionable
insights and immediate outcomes.
www.empiric.ai
May/June 2021 29

CASE study
Rising from the ashes
Side view of Notre-Dame 3D visualisation.
Credit: Autodesk, Inc.
The restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris embraces digital technology and building
information modeling using Autodesk's cloud computing services, design and building
applications and technical expertise.
The gutting by fire of the Notre-Dame
Cathedral was a catastrophe that
shook the world. One of the most
recognisable buildings in Paris, the Gothic
masterpiece was built on the ruins of two
earlier churches under the instructions of
Maurice de Sully, the bishop of Paris, who
in 1160 conceived the idea of converting
the two former buildings into a single
building. The foundation stone was laid by
Pope Alexander in 1163 high altar
consecrated in 1189.
The choir, western façade and the nave
were added over the next 100 years.
During the last couple of centuries, though
it fell into some disrepair, most notably to
the central spire, which had to be rebuilt in
the 19th century having been removed
because of instability in the 18th Century.
Napoleon is also said to have saved it
from destruction when he chose it for his
coronation as Emperor of the French in
1804. It is famous for its large clerestory
windows which were added in 1235-1270
and the boldness and grace of its singlearch
flying buttresses - and also for the
romantic story written by Victor Hugo, The
hunchback of Notre-Dame, with the
Cathedral as its centrepiece.
However, during another restoration on
the spire in 2019 on April 15th a fire broke
out in the Cathedral's attic. The massive
blaze destroyed most of the roof, Viollet-le-
Duc's 19th-century spire, and some of the
rib vaulting.
THE RESTORATION
We are fortunate in that the majority of
suggestions as to what we should do with
the burned out shell of the Cathedral were
quickly discounted, including one
suggestion that included a swimming pool
in the roof of the nave. On closer
examination of the damage - a lot of which
consisted of molten sections of scaffolding
and the effects the twisting of the metal
had on the spire - it was suggested that a
full restoration project was feasible. This
was commenced early in 2020, but halted
soon after for three months because of the
Covid-19 pandemic. On June 8, 2020,
therefore, construction resumed on Notre-
Dame Cathedral, focusing on the removal
of the 30,000 burned out scaffolding tubes
- weighing 300 tons - that had surrounded
the spire.
On July 9, the chief architects of
Historical Monuments presented
restoration plans for Notre-Dame
Cathedral to the National Commission
for Heritage and Architecture (CNPA),
the advisory council that handles
important restoration projects in France.
The study presented plans that
respected the previously existing
structure of the Cathedral and to restore
the monument to its last complete,
coherent and known state.
This included rebuilding a spire identical
to the one designed in the 19th century by
architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, returning
the Cathedral's appearance to how it
existed before the fire. Rebuilding efforts
will also use original materials such as
wood for the roofing. The report states that
these restoration methods will ensure the
authenticity, harmony and coherence of
this masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
AUTODESK EXPERTISE
To assist in the restoration, the public body
tasked with the project announced its
patronage with Autodesk, who will be
responsible for contributing design and
construction technology solutions,
including Building Information Modeling
(BIM) support, an intelligent data and
30
May/June 2021

CASEstudy
Notre-Dame visualisation close-up. Credit: Autodesk, Inc.
Notre-Dame at sunset. Credit: Autodesk, Inc.
geometry 3D modeling process, and
technical expertise. The use of BIM
creates a historical digital record for
increased resiliency for future events and
restoration - and to mitigate against the
risk of further catastrophes.
To take advantage of an innovative digital
approach for the restoration, and to
ensure effective collaboration between
Autodesk and other companies involved in
the project, Autodesk's Cloud technology
was used to provide a common data
environment (CDE) which served as a
central repository for all project
information. All permitted stakeholders
had access, therefore, to the latest data
and plans.
Very fortunately, data created using
reality capture technologies prior to the fire
enabled Autodesk to create a 3D BIM
model of the Cathedral as it existed before
the catastrophic event, thanks no doubt
due to current trends that use the latest
technology for capturing 3D images of
cityscapes and other notable buildings.
Autodesk was able to use the most recent
reality capture scans of the Cathedral to
create 3D models post-fire for
comparison, part of the revolutions in
digital mapping, visualisation software,
virtual reality and cloud computing used to
create a "virtual twin" of Notre-Dame.
Regarding the project, Nicolas Mangon,
Autodesk Vice President of Business
Strategy for Architecture, Engineering and
Construction Design Solutions, said that
"The world has witnessed the destruction
of many of the world's most historic
monuments through natural and humancreated
disasters. As this project
demonstrates, it is important to digitise
these historic sites before an event occurs
that may damage or destroy them
completely."
He added that the pre-fire 3D model of
Notre-Dame was created through unique
scanning technologies, with Autodesk
commissioning a team to deploy reality
capture tools to digitally scan the building.
The team took tens of thousands of
measurements and images of the
monument, resulting in billions of data
points on the exact specifications of the
building. All this information sits in a
central 3D model that enables all project
stakeholders to have access to the latest
data and plans for the project.
Arnaud Lemaire, Project Director of the
EPA added that "Being able to create a
3D model of the Cathedral not only helps
with restoration efforts to restore Notre-
Dame by 2024, it also provides us greater
resilience and preserves this heritage
monument for future generations.
Through this partnership with Autodesk,
we are putting technologies at the heart
of the monument's preservation so the
world may see how important it is to
protect our most cherished monuments
to our global history."
THE PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENT
Army General Jean-Louis Georgelin,
President of the public establishment
dedicated to the conservation and
restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris
Cathedral, expressed his thanks to
Autodesk for its help in the ongoing
restoration. "I warmly thank Autodesk for
supporting the rebirth of Paris Notre-Dame
Cathedral. Using digital technologies
designed for the supervision and
management of the restoration site is
essential for the public institution. Thanks
to Autodesk's patronage, the use of
cutting-edge design and construction
technologies and BIM, are being
leveraged to help prepare for the
reopening of the Cathedral, and to once
again welcome both pilgrims and visitors."
Nicolas Mangon commented further. "We
are humbled to participate in the
restoration and future preservation of the
Notre-Dame Cathedral, a truly magnificent
architectural wonder of the world. Since
the devasting fire two years ago, we have
provided funding and technology to
support the effort through the French
Fondation du Patrimoine (Heritage
Foundation) and this announcement
reinforces our commitment,"
Support has come from all sections of
France, with fundraising being organised
by 'Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris' and
foresters throughout the country donating
over 1000 oak trees for the spire - all of
which have already been felled and are
drying out prior to use in its
reconstruction. "It is a source of pride for
the foresters of the National Forestry
Office to participate in the rebirth of Notre-
Dame de Paris," said Forestry Office
Director Bertrand Munch, reflecting the
passion and affection that the French
have for their most famous building.
The announcement also reflects
Autodesk's interest in helping to restore
Notre-Dame's prominence in the Paris
skyline, which will be echoed by millions of
people worldwide who cherish the site and
will be delighted to see it in its full glory
once again.
www.autodesk.com
May/June 2021 31

YOUR GUIDE TO
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7
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4 1 3
21
22
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24 20 25 26
27
29
SCOTLAND
FIFE 1
GlenCo Development
Solutions
Contact: Jack Meldrum
Tel: 01592 223330
Fax: 01592 223301
jackm@glenco.org
www.glenco.org
ACMK
ABERDEENSHIRE 2
Symetri Ltd.
Tel: 0345 370 1500
info@symetri.co.uk
www.symetri.co.uk
ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX
ABERDEEN 3
LARBERT 4
TMS CADcentre
Contact: Craig Hamilton
Tel: 01324-550760
info@thom-micro.com
www.tmscadcentre.com
ACELHO
30 28
19
10/18
15 11/16
6
13
17
8
12/14
*Location guide
not 100% accurate
TMS CADcentre
Contact: Craig Hamilton
Tel: 01224 223321
info@thom-micro.com
www.tmscadcentre.com
ACELHO
IRELAND
DUBLIN 5
Paradigm Technology Ltd
Contact: Des McGrane
Tel: +353-1-2960155
Fax: +353-1-2960080
dmcgrane@paradigm.ie
www.paradign.it
ACMGKL
SOUTHWEST
NEWBURY 6
RWTC Ltd
Contact: Richard Willis
Tel: 01488 689005
Fax: 01635 32718
richard@rwtc.co.uk
www.rwtc.co.uk
A M
N.I
BELFAST 7
Pentagon Solutions Ltd
Contact: Tony Dalton - Training
Services Manager
Tel: +44 (0) 2890 455 355
Fax: +44 (0) 2890 456 355
tony@pentagonsolutions.com
www.pentagonsolutions.com
ACDEGKL
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For further information about authorised CAD training or to advertise on these pages please contact:
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SOUTH/EAST
GUILDFORD 8
Blue Graphics Ltd
Contact: Matt Allen
Tel: 01483 467 200
Fax: 01483 467 201
matta@bluegfx.com
www.bluegfx.com
ADRK
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE 10
Causeway
Technologies Ltd
Contact: Sue Farnfield
Tel: +44 (0)1628 552134
Sue.Farnfield@causeway.com
www.causeway.com
A C D E K
BERKSHIRE 11
Cadpoint
Contact: Clare Keston
Tel: 01344 751300
Fax: 01344 779700
sales@cadpoint.co.uk
www.cadpoint.co.uk
A C D E K
ENFIELD 12
TRAINING
BERKSHIRE 16
Mass Systems Ltd
Contact: Luke Bolt
Tel: 01344 304 000
Fax: 01344 304 010
info@mass-plc.com
www.mass-plc.com
A E F
HAMPSHIRE 17
Universal CAD Ltd
Contact: Nick Lambden
Tel: [44] 01256 352700
Fax: [44] 01256 352927
sales@universalcad.co.uk
www.universalcad.co.uk
A C M E K H
MILTON KEYNES 18
Graitec - Milton Keynes
Contact: David Huke
Tel: 01908 410026
david.huke@graitec.co.uk
www.graitec.co.uk
ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX
CAMBRIDGE 19
THE NORTH
MANCHESTER 20
Symetri Ltd.
Tel: 0345 370 1500
info@symetri.co.uk
www.symetri.co.uk
ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX
NEWCASTLE 21
Symetri Ltd.
Tel: 0345 370 1500
info@symetri.co.uk
www.symetri.co.uk
ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX
YORKSHIRE 22
Graitec Bradford
Contact: Isobel Gillon
Tel: 01274 532919
training@graitec.co.uk
www.graitec.co.uk
ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX
NORTH EAST 23
Graitec - Durham
Contact: Isobel Gillon
Tel: 0191 374 2020
training@graitec.co.uk
www.graitec.co.uk
ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX
LANCASHIRE 24
QUADRA SOLUTIONS
Contact: Simon Dobson
Tel: 01254 301 888
Fax: 01254 301 323
training@quadrasol.co.uk
www.quadrasol.co.uk
A C M K
YORKSHIRE 25
Symetri Ltd.
Tel: 0345 370 1500
info@symetri.co.uk
www.symetri.co.uk
ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX
SOUTH YORKSHIRE 26
THE JUICE GROUP LTD
Contact: Sarah Thorpe
Tel: 0800 018 1501
Fax: 0114 275 5888
training@thejuice.co.uk
www.thejuicetraining.com
A C D E K R
Symetri Ltd.
Tel: 0345 370 1500
info@symetri.co.uk
www.symetri.co.uk
ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX
Symetri Ltd.
Tel: 0345 370 1500
info@symetri.co.uk
www.symetri.co.uk
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SOUTHHAMPTON 13
Riverside House, Brunel Road
Southampton, Hants. SO40 3WX
Contact: Isobel Gillon
Tel: 02380 868 947
training@graitec.co.uk
www.graitec.co.uk
ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX
CENTRAL LONDON 14
Symetri Ltd.
Tel: 0345 370 1500
info@symetri.co.uk
www.symetri.co.uk
ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX
OXFORDSHIRE 15
MIDLANDS
NOTTINGHAM 27
MicroCAD - Nottingham
Contact: Isobel Gillon
Tel: 0115 969 1114
training@graitec.co.uk
www.graitec.co.uk
ABCDEGHIJKLMNOPQSTX
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 28
AIT Spatial Ltd
Contact: Philip Madeley
Tel: 01933 303034
Fax: 01933 303001
training@aitspatial.co.uk
www.aitspatial.co.uk
A C D E F G K L
CHESHIRE 30
Excelat CAD Ltd
Contact: Vaughn Markey
Tel: 0161 926 3609
Fax: 0870 051 1537
Vaughn.markey@ExcelatCAD.com
www.ExcelatCAD.com
B N
BIRMINGHAM 29
Man and Machine
Contact: Robert Kenny
Tel: 01844 263700
Fax: 01844 216761
training@manandmachine.co.uk
www.manandmachine.co.uk
A D I J M N O P Q X
Armada Autodesk
Training Centre
Contact: Steven Smith
Tel: 01527 834783
Fax: 01527 834785
training@armadaonline.co.uk
www.armadaonline.co.uk
A D E M K H

INDUSTRY comment
A connected industry
Drew Morris, Sales Director at Comms365, discusses the future of construction industry
technology, and why a strong connectivity strategy should be at its heart
After a turbulent 2020 this year is one
of recovery and growth for the
construction industry. However, with
labour shortages, supply chain disruptions
and stricter regulations, challenging the
industry to innovate must be a priority in
order for the sector to recover and become
resilient. This was reflected in the
Construction Leadership Council (CLC)
Strategy 2021, with increasing productivity
and performance being key challenges to
overcome. To do this, it is key for technology
to be at the heart of this transformation by
accelerating the adoption of new and
innovative technologies and processes to
create high performing systems that work
together, adding value to society.
The adoption of new technology and
smarter processes can deliver tangible
benefits for construction firms, but there
remains a fundamental stumbling block for
those organisations looking to capitalise on
new innovation - namely finding the best
connectivity to do the job. This could be a
frequent lack of high speed, portable and
reliable Internet connectivity, particularly for
sites located in green and brownfield
locations, or having access to emergency
comms should there be a delay in a fixedline
installation or accidental breakage to a
line. It is therefore imperative that the
industry addresses these key issues as a
matter of urgency so that firms can gain
access to the connectivity they need at new
sites from day one.
FOUNDATIONS FOR CHANGE
With rapid advances in technology and the
advent of cloud-based services and
applications, the way we work and
collaborate has drastically changed.
Technology innovation has led industries to
continually strive to be more efficient,
productive and cost effective. Yet, when it
comes to the world of construction,
investment in IT has remained low in
comparison to other industries. The market
has been hampered by technical
challenges relating to projects that can be
large, complex and geographically
dispersed. Combined with varying
proficiency and maturity levels of smaller
subcontractors, advancing at scale has
been difficult and has subsequently led to
the slow progress of the digitisation of the
construction industry.
Despite these challenges the available
technology in construction has advanced
rapidly, and we are now starting to see
examples of how advances in digital
technology can deliver efficiency and
productivity opportunities at the start of all
projects - truly revolutionising the
construction sites of the past. Drones,
robotics, 3D printing and augmented reality
are no longer works of fiction but can be
adopted by forward thinking firms looking to
capitalise on the benefits that embracing
innovation can bring to the construction site.
THE CATALYST OF CONNECTIVITY
Connectivity is a necessity for businesses in
virtually every industry and construction is
no exception. Crucially, this is still one
fundamental hurdle that the industry must
overcome if it is to create a solid foundation
for all new digital innovation.
Technology that is crucial for the industry to
innovate and keep up with demand cannot
function without high speed, portable and
reliable internet connections, but gaining
access to connectivity can be a challenge
for new sites, particularly those that are
located in a Green or Brownfield location
where there is typically no existing
infrastructure. But as internet
communications are no longer restricted to
fixed-line only delivery, companies can now
invest in a blended communications model
of wired and wireless internet access that
truly satisfies business needs - irrespective
of location.
Advanced bonded service solutions
enable organisations to gain additional
resilience and contingency from combining
different internet access connections
together into a single 'virtual pipe', with
precise performance management. With
combined bandwidth and enhanced reliable
internet performance integrated into a
portable solution, this service is highly
suitable for rapid deployment emergency
situations where internet services are
required urgently and communications
infrastructure is either missing or may take
several weeks to be installed, meaning sites
can be up and running in a matter of hours,
not weeks. In addition, this approach builds
in future-proofing by providing consistent
bandwidth for improved performance and
backup resilience to a primary connection
for business continuity.
CONCLUSION
The construction industry cannot continue
to utilise outdated processes and
management methods but instead must
embrace digital advances and adopt
smarter processes and technology to stay
competitive. New technology will continue to
disrupt the industry and change how we
work, but there is no way that the
construction sites of the future will ever
become a reality unless the industry can
conquer the basics of connectivity.
So, how can construction firms ensure that
a strong and stable connection is
established quickly at a new site to ensure
lack of connectivity does not negatively
impact on projects? By working with
experienced and trusted providers who can
supply the connectivity solutions that sites
require. The industry will then be able to
continually benefit from the opportunities
that the latest advances in innovation
present, and meet the priorities laid out in
the CLC strategy, bettering the future of
construction. The potential rewards to firms
that capitalise on digitisation will be
instantaneous.
www.comms365.com
34
May/June 2021

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JULY 6TH!
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