TECHnically Speaking | Technology in Preconstruction
This is the first installment of a three-part series where Balfour Beatty-Carolinas explores the innovation that technology brings to the life of a project – before, during, and after construction.
The Innovation and Technology team at Balfour Beatty Construction is building entire projects without ever lacing up their work boots and often times before the ground has even been broken.
Virtual construction of a project prior to physical construction allows the team to mimic and investigate potential complications that may occur before a shovel ever hits the dirt. The images that the team produce may look like an intricate and complicated product, but it is the clarity and transparency that those images provide that support decision-making and allow for innovative results. For a team that makes a living out of looking for problems, virtual walkthroughs, potential for prefabrication and quantity takeoff are just a few of the solutions they thrive on.
The improved coordination that is established through the use of technology benefits everyone involved on a project. Scopes of work can be isolated and defined diffusing the threat of limited or conflicting information that hinders so many projects. Virtual walkthroughs allow for a greater understanding of the scope of work for subcontractors, enabling them to virtually tour a jobsite before construction even begins. This feature was especially beneficial at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport Terminal I renovation project where every individual visitor needed to be badged to enter the site. With the dashboard, subcontractors knew exactly what they were walking into when they arrived at the site on Day One. Virtual construction means limiting surprises.
The use of virtual construction allows for identification of opportunities for prefabrication. Offsite construction mitigates onsite construction, creating schedule efficiencies and increasing quality as assemblies are fabricated in a controlled environment. In addition to reducing safety risks, virtual construction allows for efficiency in schedule by allowing work to begin sooner, teams can begin piecing together elements of a project prior to those components being needed onsite. The team identified the potential for prefabrication for pipe racks at The Hotel at Marion Square in Charleston, S.C. This modification means work can occur sooner and less welding will need to be completed onsite. Virtual construction means saving time.
Quantity Takeoff from 3D models allows cost estimators to gather design data and produce cost estimates in a reduced amount of time with a higher level of accuracy. With the ability to manipulate models, the team delivers a better visual representation of elements that need to be estimated and offers easier exploration of different design options and concepts within the Owner’s budget. The level of precision provided by way of virtual construction is conducive to a precise schedule and a precise budget. Virtual construction means precision.
Virtual construction has the capacity to save money, save time, reduce uncertainty, and improve safety. Technically speaking, that’s a success.
This article was first published in Building with Purpose -Carolinas, a newsletter and blog published by Balfour Beatty Construction’s corporate communications team. Balfour Beatty U.S. has three offices in the Carolinas — Charlotte, Raleigh and Charleston. For more information, visit https://www.balfourbeattyus.com/local-teams/charlotte.
