In the competitive construction industry, precision and efficiency are paramount. For steel and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) contractors, leveraging cutting-edge technology like 3D laser scanning can significantly enhance project outcomes.
Here’s how scanning can work for you:
Streamline your workflow with accurate data
Scanning captures detailed and precise measurements of existing conditions, which is essential for both steel and MEP contractors. For steel contractors, this ensures accurate fabrication of structural elements, reducing the risk of errors that compound over the course of a project. MEP contractors benefit from precise data that aids in the design and installation of complex systems, ensuring everything fits perfectly within the building framework, minimizing rework and wasted materials later in the project.
Enhance design and prefabrication processes
With scanning, create highly accurate models that guide your prefabrication efforts. Steel contractors can fabricate beams, columns, and other structural components with confidence, knowing they will fit seamlessly on site. MEP contractors can design and prefabricate piping, ductwork, and electrical systems with precision, reducing installation time and avoiding costly adjustments.
Improve quality control and assurance
Quality control is essential in construction. Scanning allows you to compare as-built conditions with design models in real-time. Steel contractors can verify the alignment and fit of structural components, ensuring they meet project specifications. MEP contractors can check the accuracy of their installations, ensuring systems are correctly placed and functional, which is crucial for avoiding issues down the line.
Reduce costs and increase efficiency
By minimizing errors and rework, scanning helps reduce overall project costs. Steel contractors can avoid the expenses associated with rework and on-site adjustments. MEP contractors can save on labor and materials by ensuring that prefabricated components are installed correctly the first time. These efficiencies translate to faster project completion and increased profitability.
Foster better communication and collaboration
Scanning data provides a clear visual representation of the project, which can be shared with all stakeholders. This transparency enhances communication and collaboration among the project team, subcontractors and clients, establishing trust and confidence in the work and leading to additional future jobs. Steel contractors can use these visuals to coordinate with other trades and ensure structural elements are correctly integrated. MEP contractors can demonstrate the accuracy and quality of their installations, gaining trust and confidence from clients and partners.
Discover how Trimble 3D laser scanning solutions can revolutionize your construction processes and help you achieve greater success by contacting us now
Surely avoiding errors in the first place is a far more effective approach than being super-efficient at spotting them after they have occurred, but how? Could the solution lie with the subcontractors?
A few months back, my colleague Melvin Penwill MCInstCES shared an article challenging some of the reasons why laser scanning is not used more in construction. Whilst laser scanning certainly has its place in construction, personally I believe that it should be used as a final verification of ‘we’ve constructed as expected and within our tolerances, and here’s a record of that to aid in our compliance with the building safety act’, rather than a tool to spot errors AFTER they have occurred. Here’s why:
Calling all subcontractors…
BuildingPoint UK and Ireland joined the Get it Right Initiative (GIRI)earlier in the year, and since then it has become apparent to me that for the most part subcontractors aren’t represented; surely subcontractors are those that potentially make the most errors during a project’s construction phase?
As an industry, I would argue that we’re more focused on assigning blame when errors occur than on challenging the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset in our trade processes.
With very little ‘wiggle room’ in modern construction projects both financially and in relation to time constraints for project delivery, how many main contractors have taken a step back and thought “How could we change the site processes of our trades; in a similar fashion to how we have changed our office processes for compliance?”.
In a recent study, XYZ Reality identified that “64% of construction companies polled say they encounter error and rework on their projects at least twice a week.”
Five ways digital measurement and the total station can assist subcontractors
Total stations are widely adopted by site engineers across the country, with thousands being used every single day on our construction projects. They’re the best tool in the toolbox to ensure construction is completed to required (ever tightening) tolerances, but when it comes to the superstructure, how often are they being used?
In my honest opinion, in view of what they can bring to a project compared to manual methods, not often enough!
I can easily think of at least five distinct ways digital technology can support subcontractors—and I’m sure there are plenty more. Let’s begin with the most significant ones:
A digital workflow enables trades (MEP, Drylining, etc.) to use the 3D model, issued via CDEs (Common Data Environments) such as Viewpoint, rather than the PDF print out. I visit many sites across the country and PDF print outs remain common. In one recent instance, we were on a site in central London and the site team there queried the accuracy of a total station we’d supplied on trial. Upon inspection by one of our technical support team, they found that the PDF they were using was three revisions behind the model they were issued, and they didn’t even know!
The UK Building Safety Act, particularly with its recent ‘Golden Thread*’ requirements, aims to reduce errors from subcontractors by mandating a clear, detailed record of building information throughout its lifecycle. The Golden Thread is a digital, easily accessible, and up-to-date account of all essential safety information—design, construction, and maintenance data—which must be maintained accurately and transparently. How can this be done effectively? A good solution is to use a total station and Trimble FieldPoints for Revit plugin, as this will provide an accurate and transparent 3D record of deviation from design, with revision clouds appearing where tolerances are exceeded. Consequently, the Golden Thread fosters a culture of accountability, precision, and proactive error-prevention among subcontractors.
One of the goals of GIRI is to achieve a “working culture that gets it right from the start”. We can move closer towards this goal by ensuring the data used by the site team is of the correct revision (by using Trimble Connect and Viewpoint for Projects), is checked for coordination (using Trimble Connect’s ‘clash set’ tools) and is marked out on site accurately using Trimble hardware. (You can read a great example of this in one of our recent case studies here.)
Effective digital data ensures that you have an exact record of your work. No matter how many years later, you can prove you’ve installed correctly as per design. With our plugins to Revit, SketchUp and Trimble Tekla, you have a date and time stamp record of exactly what’s done and when. Whilst this doesn’t necessarily avoid errors by sub-contractors, it can provide ‘peace of mind’ that they installed as per the information provided at the time of construction, a vital back up if their work is brought into question later.
And finally, we arrive where Melvin begins – laser scanning as a final check and sign off that “yep, we’ve constructed as per design and here’s our proof”.
Objections on Site
Most common objections
I recognise that objections are not only natural but essential for understanding the daily challenges our construction clients face. However, these objections also highlight underlying factors contributing to the lack of growth in construction productivity. Did you know that US sectors, including agriculture and manufacturing, have increased productivity 10 to 15 times since the 1950s, but the productivity of construction remains stuck at the same level as 80 years ago! (Please read my previous newsletter on this subject)
Here are some of the objections I hear most frequently:
“I can do it just as fine without technology”
I’ve seen enough saggy tape measurements taken off a structure that may or may not be correct to know that this is simply not true if you wish to avoid errors. Manual methods can’t compete with the 1mm provided by a total station and nor will will they bring the additional benefit or being able to provide a file which imports directly into Revit or other design software that shows position deviation above a certain magnitude.
“We’ve always done it this way; my business has survived so why would I change?”
The businesses we work with aren’t just aiming to survive; they seek to outpace competitors, take on larger projects, and drive growth. I believe these companies will set a standard that will leave behind those unable to match their level of service.
“I’d love to use it, but It’s not in my contract. I asked our client if I was able to submit a variation for it, but the main contractor says ‘no’ due to tight budgets.”
This is an interesting objection and one that underlines how important it is for main contractors to support their trades to do things differently and adopt new technology. We have seen success here when contractors have MANDATED it being used in contract stage, before bid and award, as they see the benefits of asking their sub-contractors to do this.
For example, Canary Wharf Contractors, a main contractor, enabled their subcontractors by removing the capital investment blocker by funding the hardware themselves but stipulated in the contract that their trades must use the hardware, and all the trades needed to do was pay for a training day or two – that simple. End result –the main contractor reaps the reward, as does the sub-contractor.
“It’s a significant capital investment, I need to try to split the cost over multiple contracts”
There are two key points here. Firstly, the benefits speak for themselves and we see this very much in evidence with the customers who have moved into digital measurement such as Derry Building Services (read the case study here), who reported a 400% increase in productivity for setting out fan coil units on a recent project.
Secondly, we appreciate that for some a large capital investment is not always possible which is why we offer a hire service for Trimble solutions such as the Trimble Ri Robotic Total Station. We also have a fantastic finance partner in UNITED ASSET FINANCE LIMITED (Robert Harper). In short, access to the technology has never been easier.
…and in conclusion
Substructure has site engineers, so why are we not empowering trades to use the same tech when the internal components of the superstructure are being installed? Technology isn’t a threat and it’s important to note that it won’t replace you or your best workers although it will change the way you work with multiple benefits.
However, my message is a strong one, ‘evolve or die’.
So, does the evidence stack up and would you like to know about how to begin the digital transformation? If so, contact me with a message or call me on 07870892280 and we can pop out and show you exactly how the technology can be used in your particular area, with the full support of our team, who have most definitely ‘been there and done that’. I think a great starting point would be the rental of a Trimble Ri Robotic Total Station.
If not, I’ll leave you with a few quotes from customers who we have recently worked with to introduce digital workflows into their practices.
“In my opinion, the system has over delivered and I’m looking forward to implementing it on future projects. A job that would have taken 116 days to mark out manually could now be undertaken with the new Trimble Ri workflow in just 6 days. We also saved 110 days working at height.” Steven Mann, Mechanical Project Engineer, Derry Building ServicesMartin BellBell Ventilation Services Ltd.
Bell Ventilation Services Ltd. on site with the Trimble Ri
“We estimate that the new RPT600 workflow has delivered a reduction in rework of about 30%. In an industry where correction for Building Standards can cost millions, this is significant.” Jamie McCann, Managing Director, AV Unibrak
“We are involved in a lot of complex projects and the new workflow is enabling us to spot potential clashes or misalignments pre-site.” Richard Walsh, Director, O’Dwyer Steel
Please do post your comments – your opinion is vital to us getting it right.
BuildingPoint UK and Ireland is pleased to announce that it has become a member of the Get It Right Initiative.
The Get It Right Initiative is a group of UK construction industry experts, organisations and businesses actively improving productivity, quality, sustainability and safety in the construction sector by eliminating error.
The BuildingPoint UK and Ireland offering is a perfect fit for the organisation with a range of Trimble technology that includes digital setting out, laser scanning, augmented reality and solutions that increase accuracy and efficiency whilst reducing site time, rework and materials wastage.
BuildingPoint UK and Ireland is also committed to sharing knowledge and skills, regularly supporting new and potential users, including educational establishments, with seminars, presentations and training.
Sam Hough, Business Manager (UK) BuildingPoint UK and Ireland said:
“BuildingPoint UK & Ireland are delighted to announce our recent membership of the Get It Right Initiative (GIRI). GIRI aligns well with the efforts we as a business put into the construction industry, and with our valuable insight and involvement within their Technology Working Group, we hope to influence the construction site of tomorrow.”
About the Get it Right Initiative
The Get It Right Initiative is a group of UK construction industry experts, organisations and businesses actively improving productivity, quality, sustainability and safety in the construction sector by eliminating error. https://getitright.uk.com/about
About BuildingPoint UK and Ireland
BuildingPoint dealers represent Trimble Buildings’ solutions. This covers their software, service and hardware offerings designed to allow users to create, transfer and modify construction models throughout the design, build, operate (DBO) lifecycle.
They provide a groundbreaking capability to help make projects quicker, more cost-efficient and stay on schedule by enabling tighter coordination and collaboration. www.buildingpointukandireland.com
Stand out benefits for Derry Building Services and Bell Ventilation:
Reduction in working at height (110 days)
400% increase in productivity for setting out FCUs
Ease of use and straight forward adoption of the new workflow
Reduction in errors associated with manual measurement methods
Excellent level of support from BuildingPoint UK & Ireland
How Derry Building Services and sub-contractor Bell Ventilation were able to decrease the setting-out time of 996 fan coil units by over 400% using a Trimble Ri digital layout solution and FieldPoints software, all supplied by Trimble BuildingPoint UK and Ireland.
Pilgrim’s Quarter, part of the Pilgrim Street development, is a new office development in the heart of Newcastle City Centre. The £155m project will see the regeneration of the northern block of Pilgrim Street which will include the retention of the historic facade of the art deco Carliol House in preparation for it becoming the largest of HMRC’s 14 regional centres and home to 9000 workers.
Responsible for the setting out and installation of the fan coil units on this project is Bell Ventilation Services, a family run company specialising in the design, manufacture, and installation of ventilation solutions. Operating out of its manufacturing facility in Blyth, Northumberland, Bell Ventilation is serving an ever-growing customer base and establishing itself as a company capable of successfully delivering large scale projects.
The company is therefore actively exploring technology to enhance its service as well as new ways to implement work practices that will significantly boost productivity, particularly on larger sites such as the Pilgrim’s Quarter project which required the set-out and installation of 996 fan coil units across 11 floor plates.
Elevating workflow efficiency
Before the ventilation contract was awarded to Bell Ventilation, Company Director Martin Bell worked closely with DBS’s Mechanical Project Manager, Steve Mann, to see how the existing manual workflow for fan coil unit setting out could be digitised through the introduction of digital layout technology.
Already familiar with Trimble’s Ri and Field Points software ( which ensures points in the model are accurately located in the field), Steve Mann contacted BuildingPoint UK and Ireland to arrange a trial of the system for Martin to take a look at.
The existing workflow saw the Bell team working from paper plans with gridline offsets. On site, manual measurements were then taken from the soffit which meant platforms were required for working at height. Taking the measurements required two people and although the job was not complicated it was extremely time consuming. The manual process was also subject to potential errors due to these methods.
Although Martin was initially concerned that the Trimble Ri system might be technically complicated, the trial alleviated these concerns and both Steve and Martin felt that its introduction was ‘a no brainer’ for the project.
New workflow
In the office: The Revit model is prepared by Derry Building Services and includes all the fan coil locations. Using an automated process and a ‘place points over markers’ function, the Trimble Field Points software generates accurate setting out positions for all the required points where the fan coil will be fixed. The automated feature easily applies the accurate positions to all points, even those on fan coils that are not of a standard size. On this project, over 3,900 attachment points were generated.
The job is then exported into Trimble FieldLink software on a tablet for use on site in conjunction with the Trimble Ri.
On site: The Bell Ventilation field team opens up the model on the tablet and selects the floor plate they are working on. They can then see where the fan coil units are to be located along with the ducting, vents and attachment points. The software connects to the Ri and one of the Bell team sets up its position relative to the gridlines. The first point is then tapped on the tablet and the Ri’s laser points to the corresponding position on the slab. A vertical laser is then used to locate this point on the ceiling.
As each point is stored, the software checks that it is within tolerance, in this case within 50 mm although the Ri is capable of delivering mm accuracy. A revision cloud can then highlight anything out of tolerance for further action when the file is imported back into Revit. A report is also generated for each fan coil unit to show that it has been accurately installed.
The Bell team now comprises of one member marking the fixing points (this was previously a two man job) followed by a team of two installing the units.
Crunching the numbers
The system’s primary objective was to enhance site health and safety by minimising work at heights. Additionally, it aimed to ensure commercial viability, boost productivity, and optimise labour allocation for Bell. Consequently, the meticulous monitoring of site work results was crucial for both Steve and Martin, ensuring that the financial metrics aligned with the intended goals.
996 fan coils to be fitted over 11 floor plates.
Over 3900 attachment points generated.
Each floor requires either 3 or 4 set ups of the Ri with each set up taking less than 30
Using traditional set out methods (paper plans and tape measurements) the Bell team completed the marking up and fitting of 8 fan coils a day. Using the new Trimble system for setting out they completed 20 units in a day. The setting out process on its own was 400% faster than previously and saw a single team member set out 640 points a day compared to around 32 previously.
A job that would have taken 116 days to mark out manually could now be undertaken with the new Trimble Ri workflow in just 6 days.
110 days saved working at height.
Far reaching benefits
Although initially concerned about how easy the system would be to use, Martin reports that his team had no trouble in quickly adapting to the new workflow with one team member using the Ri productively in just 2 hours: “Initially, we were concerned about any technical issues the new workflow may present and how long it would take to get the team trained up but that simply wasn’t the case. The team took to it well and we now have a far better flow on site with just one of the team marking the fixings and two following for the installation. Marking out 20 units an hour means there’s never any hold up.”
Steve Mann concludes: “I’ve known about the Trimble Ri technology for some time following a recommendation from a friend. This project has circa 1000 FCU and the shape of the building and complex steel work would have made traditional mark up near on impossible. The biggest loss on a job is down to overspend on labour, I wanted to use this system to reduce working at height and at the same time, speed the install up.
“Moving forward, we’re looking at utilising this technology throughout Derry Building Services. In my opinion, the system has over delivered and I’m looking forward to implementing it on future projects.”
Professor Andrew Wilson, Chair of the School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences with BD25, aka Spot!
BuildingPoint UK and Ireland collaborates closely with universities within our distribution area. Through our extensive network, we have successfully introduced cutting-edge digital technologies that are poised to captivate the next wave of tech-savvy, motivated engineers and surveyors, precisely the talent our industry craves. Addressing the existing skills deficit and forging a safer, more efficient, and sustainable industry for the future are the key objectives in our quest to attract a new generation of geospatial professionals.
It’s our partnerships with these institutions that have enabled us to build on sales successes that generally commence with the introduction of groundbreaking technologies, like the Trimble SiteVision augmented reality system and the X7 3D Laser Scanner, setting the stage for the subsequent introduction of Spot.
Spot has generated considerable interest with sales to Universities such as Liverpool John Moores (LJMU) and more recently, University of Bradford.
University of Bradford
The University of Bradford has an existing relationship with KOREC that has resulted in the supply of a comprehensive survey portfolio including the Trimble S7 Robotic Total Station, R12i GNSS and XR10 Mixed Reality System. Working with BuildingPoint UK and Ileland, ‘Spot’ was jointly introduced following a request from the University of Bradford. This request aimed at optimising their educational offerings for students while concurrently enhancing their capabilities for ongoing domestic and global projects, encompassing diverse fields such as archaeology, forensics, and the development of digital twins.
Spot was acquired by the School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences and has affectionately been nicknamed ‘BD25,’ in a nod to the University’s partnership with Bradford 2025, UK City of Culture. It has been equipped with a 3D laser scanner, and other sensors will be added in due course, including a mobile mapping kit. Amongst many plans, academics plan to use it for exploring and recording heritage at risk such as abandoned mill buildings in the Bradford area.
‘BD25’ unveiled at the showcase event
On Weds 13th September Spot, aka ‘BD25’, was unveiled and taken for walkies around the University campus to the delight of more than 100 invited guests, as part of a showcase of the School’s new multi-million suite of cutting-edge technologies. KOREC’s Amanda Bradshaw and BuildingPoint UK and Ireland’s Sam Hough were delighted to be there supporting the event and answering all questions generated by the dog’s presence.
The successful introduction of ‘Spot’ means that the University is looking at acquiring a second unit.
The University of Bradford has a long-established reputation as one of the key centres for archaeological research in the UK, recognised by being awarded the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2021 in recognition of its world-leading work and innovation in developing archaeological technology and techniques and its influence on practice, policy, and society.
The kit has been funded through investment the University has received through Capco, the Capability for Collections fund, part of the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s (AHRC) allocation of world-class laboratories funding, UKRI World Class Labs.
Liverpool John Moores University
LJMU took delivery of their Spot towards the end of 2022 and was the first university in Europe to acquire one planning to use it for teaching and research. At the forefront of the digital revolution within the construction industry, they see Spot as not only an important addition to attract engineers on to their courses to gain hands-on experience, but also as a valuable asset for their own engineering projects and R&D as they explore Spot’s capabilities and options for different payloads.
Left to right: Ben Lewis (KOREC Group) Dr Layth Kraidi (LJMU), Sam Hough (BuildingPoint UK and Ireland) and Dr Fiona Borthwick (LJMU).
In particular, Dr Fiona Borthwick, Interim Subject Head of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, feels that Spot will be integral for both teaching and research as well as a great plus for LJMU students who are able to familiarise themselves with this technology before they go full-time into the industry.
‘Spot’ has its inbuilt 3D Laser Scanner calibrated by the BuildingPoint UK and Ireland Service Centre
Did you know that US sectors including agriculture and manufacturing have increased productivity 10 to 15 times since the 1950s, the productivity of construction remains stuck at the same level as 80 years ago?
BuildingPoint UK and Ireland’s Business Manager (UK), Sam Hough, takes a look at why the construction sector is underperforming and what we can do about it.
A Century of Evolution: Construction vs. Manufacturing
Over the past century, both the construction and manufacturing industries have undergone significant transformations, spurred by technological advancements, shifts in global economies, and changing societal demands. While the core principles of these sectors have remained unchanged, the methods and processes have evolved dramatically. Let’s explore how construction and manufacturing have changed over the last one hundred years and analyse the key factors that have shaped their respective journeys. By looking at this, it will help us understand WHY construction has been losing the ‘evolution race’ for nearly a century.
“Every year, there is about $10 trillion in construction-related spending globally, equivalent to 13 percent of GDP.
Global labour-productivity growth in construction has averaged only 1 percent a year over the past two decades (and was flat in most advanced economies). Contrasted with growth of 2.8 percent in the world economy and 3.6 percent in manufacturing,
US sectors including agriculture and manufacturing have increased productivity ten to 15 times since the 1950s, the productivity of construction remains stuck at the same level as 80 years ago. “
The article clearly indicates that the construction sector is underperforming. Current measurements find that there has been a consistent decline in the industry’s productivity since the late 1960s. If we can achieve a manufacturing-style production system, it is estimated this could boost productivity by 5-10x!
5 reasons why construction hasn’t achieved its potential
Construction faces several challenges when it comes to a perceived lack of advancement:
Technological adoption: Historically, the construction industry has been slow to adopt new technologies compared to other sectors.
Fragmented nature: The construction industry often involves many stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, and suppliers. The fragmented nature of the industry can lead to communication gaps and inefficiencies that slow down advancements, multiple single sources of truth!
Skilled labour shortage: The industry has faced difficulties in attracting and retaining skilled workers. The lack of skilled labour can lead to delays and reduced productivity, impacting the overall advancement of projects.
Risk-averse culture: The construction sector often prioritises tried-and-tested methods to avoid risks and costly mistakes. This risk-averse culture can discourage experimentation and the adoption of new approaches.
Funding and investment: Construction projects can be capital-intensive, and obtaining funding for innovative projects may be challenging, especially for smaller companies or startups with limited resources.
Automobile – Then vs. Now
In a manufacturing setting, with the rise of assembly lines, pioneered by Henry Ford, mass production became possible. Robotics and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machines have dramatically increased productivity, reduced errors, and enabled cost-effective, large-scale production.
In 1886, a patent was filed under the number 37435, this is to be considered the first practical automobile put into series production. It had 1 cylinder, 3 horsepower, 2 speeds and weighed 360KG! This patent was filed under Benz & Co… Later known as Mercedes Benz.
If we look at a modern-day car, a Mercedes EQS for example, it boasts 658 horsepower, charges in 31 minutes and it has a fully digital dash!
Can you imagine if Karl Benz was able to see what his automobile company was going to be in 150 years!?
Construction – Then vs. Now
Granted, the two industries do differ drastically with technological improvements and the sheer demand for automobiles. Wecan’t avoid the fact though that the technology for construction is there, we just need to adopt it! The key to this is often overcoming the reasons listed 1-5 above.
Whilst the construction sector has seen vast improvements, these have predominantly been focused on health and safety. If you compare the construction site of Kensington Station (built in the mid 1800s) with a modern-day construction site, you’ll see the similarities. The technology is very much the same, with little advancements of the “traditional” trades.
Technology is the key to success
What does any of this mean in relation to the hardware we offer at BuildingPoint?
Whether you’re a drylining company or are installing MEPF, with feature rich drawings and 3D models, it’s seen to reduce rework costs by 30%, and increase productivity by up to 90% using our setting out solutions!
If you’re a concrete contractor, wanting to check a pour is within your tolerance, or a general contractor / principal contractor wanting to ensure all parts of your project are being installed to specification by your subcontractors, our 3D laser scanners have got your back!
Maybe you’re wanting to roll the 3D model out to your site team to aid coordination or are looking to collaborate remotely with your team through remote, handsfree video calls, our mixed and augmented reality solutions can achieve this!
And if you’re really pushing the boundaries and want to become the next Mercedes Benz of the construction industry, why look into robotic layout, using the HP SitePrint which boasts up to 10x speed increases.
Or even you are looking to perform dirty, dull and dangerous tasks, our SPOT and X7/X9 solution can increase your productivity by removing the human aspect from data acquisition, freeing them up for other tasks, or avoid sending an operative into a potentially dangerous environment.
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Press Coverage – CES interview with Sam Hough and Nathan Patton
Have you seen the March issue of CES Magazine? Out now, this publication features an interview by CES Deputy Editor, Danielle Kenneally, who had plenty of questions she wanted answering on behalf of the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineery Surveyors. Who better to field her enquires on ‘Looking at why digitisation in the construction industry does and doesn’t happen, than the perfect double act of BuildingPoint UK and Ireland’s Business Manager, Sam Hough, and Trimble’s Product Manager in Strategy and Innovation in Building Construction, Nathan Patton.
Not afraid to tackle the tricky topics of barriers to digitisation, should we fear the robots and is progress being made, Danielle wasn’t afraid to check with Sam if Nathan had lived up to the hype as one of the industry’s top 22 young professionals to watch! Find out Sam’s answer on this and read the full interview here:
Based in the village of Dundrum, Co. Tipperary, O’Dwyer Steel brings together the best of the old and the new through its 60 years’ of experience in the supply of CE certified steel and cladding alongside a thoroughly modern approach to the adoption of new technology and workflows.
Operating out of its purpose built, 4 hectare fabrication facility, the company delivers steel structures for the offsite, industrial, commercial and agricultural markets throughout the UK and Ireland and has established a hard-earned reputation through its decades of experience and successful business relationships.
The Trimble X7 3D Laser Scanner chosen by ODS
Great detail and true accuracy
Central to O’Dwyer’s success is its ability to deliver high-quality steel fabrications, designed and fitted with millimetre precision. Consequently, the company relies on the highly accurate measurements collected on site at the early stages of every project.
The capture of this data can be extremely time consuming and labour intensive as well as causing downtime through rework. Not only must it deliver on accuracy, but it is also vital that information collected during the site survey stage has sufficient detail for the avoidance of clashes at a later stage, particularly on more complex projects such as the retrofitting of steel works into existing buildings. Any discrepancies between the fabricated steel and the real-world site can result in costly rework as well as delaying a project by typically a week to 10 days.
O’Dwyer Steel’s current workflow sees a site engineer using a manual total station to record points which are backed up by a sketch made in the field. On returning to the office, the engineer then produces an AutoCAD drawing which is passed to the steel detailer for subsequent 3D modelling.
However, O’Dwyer Steel Director, Richard Walsh, felt that this was an area of the business that could be vastly improved by undertaking the surveys using a 3D Laser Scanner rather than a total station. By adopting this new digital methodology he felt that, not only would the site and office work be completed far faster, but the point cloud that the laser scanner generated would deliver the mm accuracy they required along with every detail of the site or structure, no matter how small. This would cut down on the need to revisit the site for any additional measurements and also remove any potential misinterpretations of the site layout.
“We are involved in a lot of complex projects and the new workflow is enabling us to spot potential clashes or misalignments presite. It’s also been particularly impressive during Microsoft Teams meetings with the design team able to open ‘Scan Explorer’ to take measurements and levels.”
Richard Walsh, Director, O’Dwyer Steel
Tekla – the workhorse for workflow
O’Dwyer is a long-term user of Tekla Structures (software that enables users to create and manage 3D structural models in concrete or steel), and Richard Walsh was therefore keen for any new solution to have a familiar interface and in particular, to work seamlessly with his Tekla software. He therefore contacted Trimble BuildingPoint UK and Ireland to research various scanners and following a number of trials, selected the Trimble X7 a scanner, a system already well trusted, respected and proven within the construction industry.
The adoption of the new system, which included Trimble FieldLink software to manage the laser scanner via a tablet and Trimble RealWorks for point cloud processing and analysis, enabled Richard to fine tune the workflow.
Once the site survey is complete using the Trimble X7, the site engineer exports the scan data into Trimble RealWorks which is used to validate the registration of the scans already completed on site by the X7. RealWorks is also used to turn the point cloud into a lean, clean, dataset free from the noise of a busy site and any information superfluous to the needs of the steel detailer.
The software is also used to segment down the point cloud before it’s issued to the detailer to make it even more manageable in size. Once segmented, these point clouds are generated and imported into Tekla Structures for the detailing and modelling of the steel work.
This easy, connected flow of data ensures that the accuracy of the original point cloud is retained throughout the process.
Case Study: Steelwork for a Martello tower, UK
Full scan of the Martello tower using the Trimble X7
This was a particularly challenging project in which ODS was engaged by Enevate Homes UK (specialists in volumetric construction) to fabricate and install floor and roof steelwork into a Martello tower located on the south coast of England. WL Squared (Consulting Civil and Structural Engineers) designed curved steelwork for each floor and a feature curved roof.
ODS used the Trimble X7 to complete a survey of the existing tower. Due to its compact nature, the ODS team was able to bring the X7 onto a flight from Ireland to the UK and the survey was completed in just one day.
Following the site work, a point cloud was then generated to allow the Tekla detailer to detail all the steelwork. The point cloud was segmented down to points only at each level that was relevant to the steel detailer.
On this project, the ODS management team decided to pre-assemble each of the floors in their workshop. They were able then to do a scan of the assembled floor and compare that to the .IFC model to ensure it was within tolerance prior to delivery and installation. Indeed, an error was picked up with one of the perimeter PFC (parallel flange channel) being curved to the incorrect radius. Carrying out this exercise allowed ODS to remedy the error before it was delivered to site.
Survey carried out of preassembled floors in ODS workshopCurved roof steelworkSteel beams sitting on existing corbels
“Once I’d familiarised myself with the new workflow, creating the models with the point cloud was very easy and now it’s become second nature. There have been numerous times when this has enabled us to flag up issues in the office, presite, which has been invaluable. For example, on our very first job with the Trimble X7 where we were extending a commercial building, we were able to pick up an electrical box exactly where we were dropping a column and arrange for this to be moved before we arrived on site.
The new system also means that we can handle particular complex jobs. A recent one involved steel work inside a tower in England. The inside was not symmetrical, so every piece of steel work was different. I don’t know how we’d have managed this job previously!”
Shane O’Connell – Steel Detailer, O’Dwyer Steel
New Workflow – key benefits
• Faster turnaround of jobs • Total confidence that the steel structure will fit on site • Avoidance of rework and site revisits, saving time and money • Ability to spot clashes/misalignments in the office and correct the model before fabrication • Capacity to take on larger and more complex projects
• Trusted, accurate and reliable X7 data • Easy moving of point cloud within the Tekla IFC file • Ability to capture even the smallest detail with the X7 • Ability to open Trimble Scan Explorer during Teams meetings and take dimensions and levels
Walsh Steel Detailing has invested in Trimble 3D Laser Scanning and Mixed Reality technologies as part of a process that both vastly improves their site/office workflow and ensures that there will be no surprises for their clients or team when an intricate project goes to site.
“If we didn’t have this technology, we simply couldn’t do the work we are doing. We are market leaders for two reasons, our people and the technology that we have invested in.”
Damian Walsh, Managing Director, WSD
Established in 2017, Walsh Steel Detailing Ltd was the result of founder Damian Walsh spotting an under resourced area of the market that he felt could be well serviced by his steel industry knowledge, contacts and interest in technology. Aware that there was a shortage of steel detailers in Ireland and that there would be good take-up for a company that could provide an ‘on-demand’ service to smaller fabricators, he therefore launched Walsh Steel Detailing.
Based in Co Mayo, the new company would focus on meeting the needs of those fabricators that often found themselves unable to tender for works because they did not have the capability to produce drawings to the required level or were unable to justify the costs of a full-time draftsperson and relevant software. The aim of WSD would be to offer advice early in the detailing process backed up by extreme attention to detail and a ‘get it right first time, every time’, ethos to ensure that there would be no surprises when a complex project went to site.
“We have been able to put the detailed 3D models in the hands of site supervisions, operatives, steel fixers, construction managers and more. The result is a better-connected team, increased understanding, and complete end to end digital delivery.”
Antony Bromley, Project Digital Lead, Laing O’Rourke
Augmented Reality has seen a boom in recent years with take up across a range of diverse sectors from entertainment and interior design to manufacturing and medical training. As the technology becomes easier to use, AR is making a profound difference to the way we work. The construction industry is now experiencing its own digital revolution and 3D representations of projects and BIM models are now commonplace, bringing with them the means to easily visualise the graphical representation of the model and data that exists within it, reducing error and uncertainty. Read more
