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Virtual Construction, the act of creating a structure on a computer with BIM (Building Information Modeling) tools and other 3D software, has been around for almost a quarter century. But never before has the practice been as popular as it is today. Why? Because up until recently, argue some experts, the programs fell short. They provided a graphic overview of what a building would look like and offered information on structural data and architectural design, but when it came down to the actual nuts and bolts of construction, nothing beat the real construction experience.
George Pfeffer, project director for San Francisco's $1.5 billion UCSF Medical Center, says the biggest difference between the virtual construction of today and yesterday is that a designer can now click on the image of duct or pipe, (and) it takes him to a document with details about that duct or pipe." In other words, 3D modeling has gotten smart.
In fact, today's software is so smart that it can predict where materials and building schemes might "clash," providing the designer with sufficient warning. Virtually speaking, there are no more excuses for long electrical runs to collide with HVAC duct runs in the field. By creating their buildings first on the computer, engineers and architects can remedy both anticipated and unanticipated problems, saving time and money.
What do you see as the prime payoffs of using new virtual building models for your commercial construction projects?
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Re: How Smart is Virtual Construction?
