The Great Library Reference Shelf Updated The Great Library Reference Shelf

Ancient to Modern Construction

Defining Connected Construction

Visualizing Connected Construction

Digital Twins in Construction

Selected book: Ancient to Modern Construction

The surprising similarities between ancient and modern construction

As our team walked around the historic site of Ephesus, one thing became clear: Modern construction is shockingly similar to ancient methods.

It can feel overwhelming, and perhaps even frustrating, to face the challenge of approaching old work in new ways. But good news... across the industry, it's already happening. More and more companies are realizing the essential value of technology in their toolbox. Change is undeniably difficult. But the opportunities are tremendous. Smart companies are using technology to overcome the complexity of modern construction with ease.

Click thumbnails to see images.

The design and implementation of the Library of Celsus, built nearly 2,000 years ago:

The Great Library episodes explore the theories behind and application of Connected Construction. But that’s just the surface... Come here to dive deeper into the topics covered in The Great Library - it will expand as episodes develop! Don't forget to subscribe to updates so you'll be the first to know when we publish new episodes and resources.

Selected book: Defining Connected Construction

What exactly is Connected Construction and how does it look in the real world?

Watch this section of episode 1

The complexity of modern designs, building codes, and sustainability objectives leads to a veritable abundance of data. Keeping it all up-to-date and on the same page isn't easy. Successful business leaders understand that technology has a vital role to play in transforming their companies, giving them the agility and scalability they’ve never had before. How? Connected data. Connected teams. Connected processes.

The costs of process challenges in construction:

Everyone loves a toy building block set, right? You enthusiastically pour out the contents of the box and have hundreds of different blocks and components ready to build into your masterpiece. And unlike real-world construction, the process typically goes quite smoothly. You follow the instructions step by step to create an exact replica of the structure on the front of the box. If you work in construction, you’re well aware that in the real world it's not that simple. The site may throw up some unexpected surprises. There might be challenges with the material spec and availability. Additional requirements could need adding mid-project that add complexity. These challenges can take the build team off plan, leading to delays, new clashes and additional cost.

Due to these challenges, we end up with a big gap between expectation and reality:

How we imagine construction goes...

What often happens instead...

Want to Reduce Waste and Inefficiency During Construction? Start with Design.

The ultimate guide to reducing construction’s environmental impacts.

Sources:

See how we can close the gap!

Building Block Infograph

Selected book: Visualizing Connected Construction

Exploring the challenges of modern construction with building blocks.

Watch this section of episode 1

Top benefits experienced by companies using digital workflows

Take a Closer Look at the Past

Brief History of Construction

See the Future of Construction

The Great Library Docuseries

Find the Tools You'll Need for Tomorrow's Success

Trimble Construction One

The data shows: Embracing technology today is the key to tomorrow's success. In conjunction with Dodge Construction Network, we surveyed ~1,000 industry professionals, ranging from architects to specialty trades, on how technology changes their businesses. The findings were clear - technology has a direct impact on productivity, decision-making, and much more.

Look through the images and it's clear that we've been designing and building complex structures for a very long time. The Library of Celsus, built 2,000 years ago, featured modern amenities such as running water and sewage, climate-controlled spaces to protect books, and optical illusions to influence the apparent size. It goes to show that modern construction is shockingly similar to ancient construction. Our goal today: build on the knowledge of the past while layering in the possibility of our modern world.

Click on a book to dive in.

Welcome to The Great Library Reference Shelf!

Dodge Data & Analytics, 2022

Watch this section of episode 1

[Technology] It’s a competitive advantage. We’re a mid-size civil engineering contractor in our region, but we compete with larger companies with more resources for many civil projects. Technology is a differentiator for us, allowing our crews to do more work in less time with better quality. Our goal is to deliver the best-finished product and technology helps us do that.

· A connected data environment (CDE) · A standardized set of connected workflows across all stakeholders, departments, and disciplines of the construction process.

Technology has changed the world... why has construction stayed largely the same?

8 Tech Leaders Define Connected Construction

Learn More from the Experts

Go from Design to Done with Ease

Explore Trimble Construction One

Building a Road to the Future in Romania

Travel to the Jobsite in Romania

As the industry begins to embrace technology, work gets easier.

Connected Construction Noun

A connected construction experience is one in which all project contributors have access to:

As a result: · Business silos enjoy better communication and collaboration. · It's easier to see what is happening and predict outcomes, using real-time data. · Everyone, from owners to designers to engineers to contractors, realizes more consistent, streamlined, and predictable project execution. · Budgets are easier to manage, thanks to reduced labor overhead and change orders. · Waste from rework is significantly reduced, benefiting profit and climate goals.

— Simon de Rose, General Manager, Stringfellow Contracts Ltd, New Zealand

While used in many industries, in construction digital twins are a replica of a construction project or asset - including entire cities, buildings, bridges, highways, or city blocks. During construction, the digital twin updates alongside the real project. This is made possible through the integration of various technologies such as 3D laser scanners, drones, sensors, cameras, IoT-related devices, and AI to make it an accurate replica of the real-world object.

If you work in construction, you’ll likely run into the struggle of trying to remember or track down information on exactly how something was built. A blueprint will tell you generally how it was supposed to be built. But changes are inevitable. So if you need to know something specific, such as precisely what part was used somewhere, it can be tricky to figure it out without opening up walls. With a digital twin, that’s an issue of the past. All you have to do is open the file and you can see an accurate record of the building's real-time status, how it was constructed, working conditions, and the position of physical assets.

Selected book: Digital Twins in Construction

Simple concept + advanced tech = incredible value

Watch this section of episode 1

Okay, so you have a digital copy of a building. Now the real question… What can you do with it?

Digital Twin 101

Build Your Foundation

BIM Needs Digital Twins

Discover Why They're the Perfect Pair

As-builts in the U.S.

How As-Builts Transform Work

Many times when we look at a project, whether it's in the pre-bid or post-bid, if we had accurate digital as-builts from the previous work that was done in that area, it would help us plan our work, make things more efficient, eliminate conflicts and errors during construction, and really improve efficiency.

-- Ryan Forrestel, President, Cold Spring Construction

If you’re unfamiliar with digital twins and want to learn more, great news… It’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like - a digital copy of a physical object.

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Connected Data Environments (CDE)

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Parametric Design

The Randselva Bridge is a 634 meter-long cantilever concrete bridge in Norway.

Parametric design lets humans focus on design intent and rules, while software handles the repetitive details.

Its BIM-model has over 200,000 rebars and 250 post-tensioning cables. Imagine manually placing every object in the model… tedious at best! This is where parametric design comes into play. Instead of manually placing every repetitive element in the model, the team created rules and then used software to automatically model ~70% of all objects!

A design method that uses parameters and rules to automate design. The architect or engineer inputs parameters into algorithms, which then output design solutions. As a result, building elements and engineering components are shaped by algorithmic processes rather than direct human manipulation. These elements can include dimensions, proportions, angles, curves, and other parameters that influence the structure's form and performance. Parametric design opens up new possibilities for creative expression and enables architects to generate organic, fluid, and innovative designs that push traditional architecture boundaries.

Benefits of Parametric Design

Click thumbnails to see images.

A flexible, automated design method that increases creativity and efficiency.

Selected book: Parametric Design

Parametric Design

Rapid Iteration

The dynamic nature of parametric design allows architects and engineers to easily modify and adapt their designs in response to evolving requirements or project constraints.

Computers process large amounts of data better than humans. Parametric design capitalizes on that by integrating data-driven analysis into the design process. Users can explore design tradeoffs with computational tools, simulating and evaluating the performance of designs, such as daylighting, energy consumption, structural integrity, or environmental factors.

Data-Empowered Decision Making

Building the Randselva Bridge

Parametric Design in Action

By creating a shared digital model, the entire project team can work collaboratively, exchange information, and coordinate their efforts more effectively. This integrated approach improves coordination, reduces errors, and enhances the overall quality of the final architectural solution.

Easier Collaboration

Level Up Your BIM Game with Mixed Reality

Download the Guide

BIM Phrasebook Pocket Guide

Download the BIM Phrasebook

Accessing the 'I' in BIM with a CDE

Take the Free Course

For most of the history of construction, our only option has been to reduce our 3D designs to 2D blueprint drawings. Building Information Modeling (BIM), which is a 3D way of modeling buildings digitally, resolves that challenge.

Selected book: Building Information Modeling (BIM)

3D, data rich design for a complex, 3D world

Watch this section of episode 2

If you are familiar with the concept of digital twins, the description of BIM may sound similar. (And if you aren’t, check out the reference shelf book on digital twins!) Essentially, BIM is the foundation for a digital twin. BIM’s focus is on designing, visualizing, and constructing the structure or building. The digital twin, an ongoing and updated version of the BIM, is then used to operate and maintain the asset.

We live in a 3D world. So why design in 2D?

BIM vs Digital Twins

Levels of BIM

Streamlining with BIM

There are different levels of BIM that can be achieved for different types of projects. As BIM levels progress from 0 to 4D, 5D, and even 6D, they demonstrate a heightened level of BIM 'maturity.’ If you’re not using any 3D modeling and still working from paper, you’re at 0. Meanwhile, projects at 6 incorporate fully detailed 3D designs, scheduling information, efficiency calculations, and much more.

A core value of BIM is its ability to integrate large amounts of information. Changes made to one aspect of the model are automatically updated throughout the entire model, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all project documentation. Features such as clash detection and virtual walkthroughs help catch and resolve problems during the design phase, before they materialize in construction.

Naturally, this collaborative and connected approach minimizes errors, streamlines project scheduling, facilitates cost estimation, reduces conflicts, and improves coordination among different disciplines, resulting in better project outcomes.

In CDE Implementation, Strategy Is Everything

Read the Complete Article

What Is a CDE and How Is It Used In Construction?

Read the Complete Article

Trimble Connect: Collaboration Made Easy

Take a Tour and Learn More

Why? In today’s technology driven world, it is unrealistic to expect that all data, for every stakeholder, at every phase of the project, can live in one location. If we take a step back, the broader goal is to have the information connected and accessible. Therein lies the value of a connected data environment - updates flow between software, information is aligned, stored in the cloud, and as much as possible, is accessible in one location. But even if it’s stored separately, it is all integrated and updates seamlessly. As a result, there is a single source of truth for all project information, ensuring that everyone involved has access to the most up-to-date and accurate data.

Selected book: Connected Data Environments (CDE)

Between 2019 and 2021, our industry doubled the amount of data generated. But nearly all of it . Connecting data makes it more actionable.

1. Document Management

While often called a Common Data Environment (CDE), we prefer to call it a Connected Data Environment.

Benefits of CDEs in Construction

A CDE allows for the efficient storage, organization, and retrieval of project documents, such as drawings, specifications, contracts, and permits.

2. Version Control and Revision Tracking

A CDE maintains a record of document versions and revisions, allowing users to track changes, compare versions, and ensure that everyone is working with the most recent information.

3. Workflow and Process Management

A CDE can streamline project workflows by providing tools for assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and tracking progress. It enables better project control and coordination by automating processes, notifying stakeholders of upcoming actions, and ensuring that project milestones are met.

4. Information Security and Access Control

A CDE ensures data security by implementing access controls, permissions, and user roles. It allows project owners to define who can access specific information and what actions they can perform, protecting sensitive data and maintaining confidentiality.

5. Integration with Other Systems

A CDE can integrate with other software systems used in construction, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, project management tools, and accounting systems. This integration allows for seamless data exchange, improving efficiency and creating a true connected data experience.

Watch this section of episode 2

It includes far more information than 2D drawings - virtual BIM models can contain geometric information as well as specs on individual components, materials, systems, and processes. Importantly, the model is a shared resource that enables architects, engineers, contractors, and other professionals to work collaboratively and make informed decisions throughout the project.

Explore BIM levels here.

(96%) goes unused

Level Up Your BIM Game with Mixed Reality

Download the Guide

Accessing the 'I' in BIM with a CDE

Take the Free Course

BIM Phrasebook Pocket Guide

Download the BIM Phrasebook

BIM is a digital process for creating, managing, and sharing comprehensive 3D models of construction projects.

In CDE Implementation, Strategy Is Everything

Read the Complete Article

Trimble Connect: Collaboration Made Easy

Take a Tour and Learn More

What Is a CDE and How Is It Used In Construction?

Read the Complete Article

Connected Data Environments (CDE)

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Parametric Design

Parametric, Generative, & Algorithmic Design

Generative Design

Parametric, Generative, & Algorithmic Design

Generative Design

Parametric, Generative, & Algorithmic Design

Generative Design