INNOVATION IN
CONSTRUCTION
Bringing intelligent solutions to the project
To help improve accuracy, eliminate clashes and save time, the project is championing a digital-first approach to construction.
The project is using a building information management (BIM) tool that runs in a similar way to a gaming model such as Minecraft.
Based in the designated BIM Cave on site, the team uses an Xbox controller to navigate the augmentation, which is projected on the walls and on screen.
The model is updated daily, meaning that the project team receive a real-time updated model on a daily basis.
At the end of the project, a fully verified digital twin of the building will be handed over, allowing ease of operation and maintenance for the University.
A unique part of the final BIM deliverables for the Molecular Sciences Building is a verified digital twin; where the position of each element within the model is validated by the final building to within 50mm.
Digital Engineer Laura Malone uses a Leica laser scanning kit. The camera is mounted on a tripod, and will run a 90 second 360o scan of the room, before uploading the high resolution colour image of the building immediately on Laura's iPad.
With the help of NASKA - and artificial intelligence based laser scanning platform - the team are able to check the position of individual elements by comparing the data directly to the BIM model.
By using this scanning technology we're able to see in real time if any elements have been missed, or where elements don't perhaps align. We can then rectify, or update the model which provides an insurance to the client that their final BIM model is a true digital twin. The university’s overarching goal is to develop this digital twin to a 50mm tolerance with asset data & linked barcoding associated to each of the physical elements providing a direct link between the maintainable assets and the model.
Oculo is a 360 imagery record capturing process. By "walking the site" with the 360 imagery camera, the captured record can then be processed by Oculo and stored on the platform.
From here the team are able to review the record using a Google street view style interface.
They compare the current scan to previous ones recorded, and also compare this side-by-side with the digital model.
We've been using Oculo to record the activities on site and the platform has enabled us to keep track of the daily changes, whilst also providing a split screen viewer from the site to what the model is representing for the corresponding space. It's also helped as a live record for the quantity surveyors.
The project team has also trialled Gamma - an augmented reality on-site validation tool.
Gamma AR uses the designers models and overlays it to the reality using the camera on an iPad. It's provided accurate and quick on-site validation to compare the design to the construction.
By linking directly to Autodesk Construction Cloud & BIM 360, in the event of an issue the platform can be used to raise, capture, and push back the issue to the model for the relevant person to resolve.
Trialling Gamma AR has shown it to be somewhat a bridge between Oculo and Laser Scanning as it overlays the model in real time on site
With very sensitive experiments and research due to be conducted in the Molecular Sciences Building, mitigating the impacts of external vibration was absolutely key.
By getting involved early, the team completely redesigned the original foundation from a piled solution to a concrete raft.
As well as saving £170k, 151t of carbon and the time incurred with the piling operation, the concrete raft design has mitigated the effects of ground borne vibration (especially from the neighbouring train track) as the sub-structure is now completely separated from the sandstone strata.
In basic terms, it means high end research can continue in a world class environment.
What’s been really good working with Morgan Sindall is the approach to innovation. The innovation they have brought has been outstanding. There has also been a lot of digital technology used in the design and construction. The BIM work we have done is important as we have strict standards. It’s almost a digital digital twin that’s handed over at the end of the project and that’s important for maintenance and operation. We’ve also had a BIM cave on site which students and users have been in so they could experience the building before it was built. All of these elements have come together to support and deliver that world class building.