Contents 2011 • Issue 02 - Skanska

1.
Collaboration is the name of the game on the Pier 5 Replacement
project at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, V.A.
During the project’s bid stage, Civil Senior Estimator Matt Boynton
reached out to Building VDC Director Albert Zulps for help with the
BIM model.
“After the job was awarded, I helped update the model to integrate
the architectural and engineering models and add temporary works,”
Albert explains, “and then Project Engineer Nate Meyers took over
to work out construction sequencing and logistics, and bring the
model into operations.”
“We were able to link the project schedule to create the 4-D
scheduling model,” Nate continues, “which we use to identify
space constraints and equipment conflicts for the barges, rigs
and cranes.”
The project team will continue to use the model to show new
hires the overall approach to the schedule, coordinate work and
compare project schedules.
2.
Two heads are better than one
Communication is key
BIM can serve as a tool to communicate key building elements
that aren’t readily apparent in a normal rendering. Such is the
case as the Oregon team works on the design phase of the Oregon
Sustainability Center in Portland, O.R.
“There are so many elements to make the world’s first mid-rise
Living Building,” says Vice President of Preconstruction Steve Clem.
“For public reviews, we knew we needed to do more than tell the
audience about innovative green methods to get us to net zero.”
BIM was employed to provide visuals of the proposed building’s
solar shading and wastewater and photovoltaic systems.
“BIM really helped us bring average people into the guts of the
design in a simple way,” Steve says. “It probably saved us a lot of
complicated explanations.”
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Two heads are better than one
3.
On the Croton Water Treatment Plant project in the Bronx, N.Y., BIM
was used to visualize, coordinate and schedule the project.
“We received a 3-D model from the owner, which we used for
sequencing, crane placement and synchronizing our work with other
prime contractors on site. From there, the 3-D model was broken into
smaller parts that corresponded to the activity schedule to create a 4-D
scheduling model to effectively monitor the project schedule,” explains
Project Executive John Crecco.
Once individual items in the model were linked to schedule
activities, video files with time sequenced animations were generated
for each structure within the plant to compare the progress to the
baseline schedule to keep the team on track.
4.
Communication is key 2
Timing is everything
Innovation in mind
Building innovation is the theme at the Hunt Library in Raleigh, N.C.,
where Skanska is constructing the signature project on North Carolina
State University Centennial Campus.
The building not only features some of the latest technologies,
like chilled beams and an automated book delivery system, it’s being
built with innovation in mind too. The project team has collaborated
with the design team and the project's subcontractors, using BIM
as a key part of estimating, 4-D scheduling, logistics planning and
coordination/clash detection.
"Perhaps the most unique use of BIM is the material tracking
and supply chain management being done via barcoding on the
curtainwall," says Innovation Intern Josh Vaughan. "The building's
skin is comprised almost entirely of this custom curtainwall, with
each unique panel having to be installed in a certain location, so
the challenge really lends itself to barcoding. We’re able to track
production rates at the fabrication facility as well as installation rates on
site, with the information linked into the model. This has allowed us to
more actively manage the project schedule and sequence other work.”
Real-time strategy
It goes without saying that clash detection is important in a healthcare
facility. Use of BIM went far beyond that for the project team that
recently completed Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, W.A.
“Technology was all over this job from the very beginning,” says
Project Executive Raul Rosales. “We knew if we used these tools
to their full potential, we would not only make our work go more
smoothly, but deliver the client a better building.”
Even from the initial run of the model, it was clear that some of the schedule
sequencing would have to be revised to account for site constraints and dry-in
requirements. The team also kept a live model throughout the project.
“We had real-time drawings and requests for information networked
through the site,” Raul says, “so it only made sense to make sure the
BIM designs were kept in real time as well. Our people need accurate
information at any given time for any task.”
When work began on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, Skanska Koch
searched for an alternative method of surveying. The complex geometry and
lack of sufficient as-built data made 3-D laser scanning the perfect candidate.
Similar to conventional surveying methods, 3-D laser scans involve
locating an existing structure within a specific coordinate system.
The main difference is that the scans consist of thousands of points
rather than just a few. Also, the data can be obtained from the ground,
which eliminates safety risks associated with tying off and operating
man lifts – risks common to conventional surveying methods.
“The scans help in a lot of other ways too,” says Survey Manager Larry
Guli. “Because they’re computerized, time is saved on coordinating trades
to do surveying, and I can pull up missing data right from my desk rather
than convening the field crew to collect information.”
Surveying isn’t the only aspect of the project reaping the benefits of
3-D laser scanning; it also helps the team erect new parts of the bridge,
create demo procedures and monitor traffic patterns.
Complete outperformance
10 coast to coast coast to coast
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5.
6.
4
Innovation in mind
Surveying the scene
Real-time strategy 5
Timing is everything 3 Creating an efficient process 8
Sureveying the scene 6
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7.
BIM strategies were utilized from beginning to end to construct the
Interdisciplinary Science Teaching and Research Facility, located in the
heart of University of South Florida’s Tampa campus.
During preconstruction, material quantities were pulled from the
BIM model to generate project estimates, greatly reducing the amount
of time spent producing estimates.
“By virtually travelling through the model, we were able to quickly
provide the client with project estimates and identify complex construction
areas that would be difficult to detect from traditional 2-D drawings,”
explains Florida's VDC Manager Christina Huber.
From there, the project team created 4-D construction sequences to
visualize complex time scheduling data, linked the 3-D design model to the
construction schedule to create simulations that illustrated the construction
processes in time, coordinated the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire
protection systems and produced project safety planning.
“These strategies ensured that the project was delivered under
budget and ahead of schedule,” Christina adds. “In fact, we reduced
the structural schedule by 90 days.”
8.
Complete outperformance
Creating an efficient process
A project utilizing both prefabrication and BIM may sound daunting, but
this hasn’t hindered the team on the Smyth County Community Hospital
project in Marion, V.A. In fact, the team has found a way to merge BIM
and the prefabrication process.
“The operations team brought prefabrication into play for the
overhead utility racks, patient bathroom modules and patient room
headwalls,” explains Project Manager Jeff Elpers. “In order to support this
effort, BIM is used to integrate the prefabrication support systems into
the existing 3-D models.”
Additionally, since the project is design-build, the team used 3-D
coordination in early stages of the design, enabling clashes to be resolved
before the release of construction documents.