VDC as a project management tool on construction projects

Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) is a project management tool which focuses on the design phase in a construction process. In short it is used to reduce change orders because it is possible to satisfy the stakeholders even before the construction phase begins and this means an overall less complicated and more flawless process.

In traditional construction, the design and planning phase consists of several different 2D drawings which are used to share information and to expand the design afterwards by analyzing and making specifications. To optimize this decision making the term Building Information Model (BIM) is introduced. A model used to store information of physical features and functionality of the facility as data that can be assigned by the different partners in the project work. The BIM’s are an essential part of the mentioned project management tool Virtual Design in Construction where a digital 3D model is created to enable design and construction virtually. VDC operates with dimensions going from 3D to 6D.

The different dimensions add the time schedule, materials quantity and pricing and maintenance information to the 3D model. An upcoming feature of VDC is virtual reality, which gives the coming user of the facility the opportunity to experience going trough the facility using 3D glasses. The virtual reality avoids bad design decision in the spacing of the facility.

The VDC will optimize information sharing to a fast and precise process between the parties in the project. Different alternatives in the facility design and process can easily be evaluated to optimize the product. At last the client has a much better starting point in experiencing the facility before the building process has even begun, resulting in less surprises leading to less changes.

Wherever good this sounds the implementation of VDC must thought trough, a lot of education is needed and especially the craftsmen on the construction site needs adapting. This article will adopts the VDC tool to construction projects by going through different sections and it will discuss the advantages and disadvantages when implementing the tool in the early construction planning phase.

Overview

Background

Previously in traditional construction processes, you handled the design and planning phase of the construction by creating 2D drawings which is subsequently expanded by making an analysis and create specifications to the drawings. Because the decision making, in traditional construction methods, sometimes ended up unnecessarily long the term Building Information Model (BIM) was created. A BIM is defined as "a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility" \scite{nationalbimstandard}.

The BIM model stores all the information about the building which is both physical and functional features. All this information can be used to optimize the decision making, and overall goal is to have information stored for every single component in the construction. BIM is widely used in the construction sector and a big part of the digital design process which is introduced by the new tool called Virtual Design and Construction (VDC).

The tool VDC can be used to achieve many benefits on large and smaller construction projects, and are considered as a fundamental project management tool to effectively reduce change orders in construction projects. Some of the benefits are listed below:

• When using VDC it is possible to have high precision in the planning of orders which leads to higher safety on the construction site.
• VDC allows the user to safe time and therefore money on construction projects.
• VDC allows to calculate pricing and quantities directly instead of giving estimates, which also means a new price easily can be calculated in case of changes.
• The tool gives basis for decision making because the client is often interested in knowing the immedate cost and the cost ten years.

Application

In order to use VDC as a tool a digital model is created which shows design and construction virtually. This means that you can change different parts of the project multiple times before the actual construction process starts, which is different from the traditionel methods were you started the contruction process based on 2D drawings. The figurer on the right shows how the VDC process operates with dimensions going from 3D to 6D.

INDSÆT FIGUR!

The process begins with creating a 3D model which can lead to fewer errors and inconsistencies compared to the 2D drawings in traditional methods. Then you proceed to the fourth dimension where you add the time schedule to the 3D model. This time schedule are considering different sequence of the models, which gives a better understanding of the different phases \scite{mthweb}.

The fifth dimension is used to add cost on the previous model (the 4D model), which means that a budget can be proposed to potential clients. In the 6D model we add information about the operation and facility management, to the 5D model. This dimension is a full documentation of the product, the client is able to see an overview of the overall costs of the construction and following maintenance.

Utilization of Virtual Design and Construction

Virrtual reality

Virtual reality (VR) is a relatively new tool and the technology concept need much development, nevertheless it has become a more and more often used tool in the Danish building sector and the rest of the world. Because of virtual reality the client is able to experience the project virtually through 3D glasses and similar tools before the construction is started.

Virtual reality can be used to improve designs, decision making and the overall building process. Companies can choose to introduce a building project with virtual reality, which means that multiple users can experience the product through use of projection technology and 3D glasses. For example, when construction a care center the VR can be a nice feature. Doctors and nurses can be invited to participate in different trials, where they are able to virtually walk around in the new building. Another example could be an university where students need a new laboratory, and here the VR can help placing different necessary equipment, by testing and visualising.

Because of this we can optimize the design and facility management in the construction. Overall this new technology safes a lot of time and money because the client is satisfied with their new building before the actual construction phase begins. The two pictures shows respectively how it would look for a person experiencing VR and then how tablets could be used to visualise future building projects.

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- INDSÆT BILLEDE 2

3D printing

Besides virtual reality the construction sector uses 3D printing as a method to reduce change orders and optimize decision making in the construction process. 3D printing is very useful in the designing phase because when the client can observe a physical model new possibilities and ideas arises and communication mistakes between parties can be avoided.

Furthermore 3D printed models can be used for planning and allocation on a construction site at any size. This means that if you place the model on a precise scaled map you can plan the placement of cranes and transportation routes. Therefore it is possible to improve effectiveness because everything is more thoroughly planned.

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Both mentioned tools ensures that the client has the opportunity to change his mind about the design and the different parts of the construction, before the construction process begins, and therefore reduce change orders.

Annotated bibliography

By Mie Drejer