digital construction

Construction and the digital age

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BIM technology is revolutionary for construction, bringing together design, planning and infrastructure, and enhancing communication between contractors, sub contractors and supply chain.

Its influential nature has become a fundamental in the design, creation and development of public sector buildings, and is increasingly being applied to schemes across the UK.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. A BIM is a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition.

Uk Construction online spoke to Mark Norton, Head of BIM, and Simon Spink, Head of Visualisation, at ISG about the technology and how it has integrated itself into the AEC landscape.

Having joined the industry in the 80s as a Mechanical Engineer, and building an interest in CAD, Mark has been an advocate of digital construction ever since. Joining ISG nearly four years ago as the Head of BIM has led Mark into a technological crusade, working within a forward-thinking operation that is looking to use digital technology wherever possible.

“My scope has changed quite dramatically from when I joined,” he says “when we look at the variety of interfaces available within construction and where we can use that technology. BIM is all reaching now.

“Take up of the technology has become quite rapid, and ISG have found there are a number of applications. This has led to an investment in both people and state-of-the-art equipment. But where can the technology be applied?

“There are two areas that we look at in detail: Preconstruction and VR.” says Mark. A few years back, people were rendering models and walkthroughs with VR. What we’ve progressed to now is live walk-throughs – which are far more intuitive to clients and a prerequisite for a room. Clients can walk-through before buildings are even built, with the freedom of the building so to speak, whereas before you had a certain area or a pre-recorded area that Clients could explore, now you can go anywhere.

This feature has already shown significant benefits, with less or no changes to designs further down the line. Clients are given a spatial awareness not available previously, and new design options can be explored.

Simon agreed: “The decision makers on projects have changed in recent years. For example, we are seeing the HR director play an increasingly important role in the delivery of a company’s new workplace. As decision making devolves to people that are not real estate experts, VR and AR can help bridge the divide between technical documentation and the finished product.

“Our real-time visualisation app means that we can go to meetings with our client and guide them through their space. The client can look at any area of their building immediately and see the finished product without having to wait for renders from the architects. We can show them what the space will look like with different floor finishes or under different lighting conditions. This not only accelerates the decision-making process, but gives the entire project team piece of mind and the client confidence.”

Applications for virtual reality are wide ranging, and Simon sees one of the most useful applications is in training. “One of the most pressing opportunities for VR is as a health and safety training tool.” He says, “It can be used for site inductions and as part of an ongoing training programme to make people aware of hazards and teach them how to respond to risks in a controlled and measured way.

As well as scenario planning, it can also help with employee orientation. A virtual induction means that employees can walk around the site to familiarise themselves with fire exits or facilities, which again helps to mitigate risk. It can be used like the hazard perception test in a driving examination. We are now using VR to supplement the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), but as it becomes more widely used across the industry we should look towards accreditation for VR training schemes.

Construction is seen as a bit of a dinosaur and slow moving to take up new technologies. Whether digital construction will be embraced by the industry or dismissed as a gimmick remains to be seen. – that’s why we’re going down the smart phone and tablet route because, everybody has them says Mark. “If you look at the smart helmets, they’re a great bit of equipment, but they’re quite expensive and quite niche, maybe in five to ten years time when the price drops. But everybody has a smartphone or tablet, they are easy to use and relatively inexpensive and the technology fits with them very well.

Source: UK Construction Media

infrastructure

Government publishes ambitious infrastructure plans

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The National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline,  which sets out projects for the next 10 years, has published details of over £460 billion of planned infrastructure investment across the public and private sectors, of which over £240 billion will occur in the next four years. This amounts to a projected total of public and private investment in infrastructure of around £600 billion. 

According to the report, this should give industry, and all parts of the supply chain, the confidence they need to support government and businesses with the delivery of future projects.

Since 2010 over 4,500 infrastructure projects across the UK have been completed successfully. These range from major, nationally significant projects such as Birmingham New Street Station and extending access to superfast broadband across the UK, to smaller local schemes that have made a huge impact on the communities they serve, such as the Nottingham Trent left bank flood alleviation scheme.

Over 1100 transport projects have been completed since 2010, with 13 priority rail projects completed or under construction, and 29 priority road projects completed or under construction.  There is over £135 billion of transport investment in the pipeline and over 240 planned transport projects and programmes.

Modern transport infrastructure is essential to ensuring that the UK remains a competitive and strong economy. As well as improving capacity and relieving congestion, good transport infrastructure unlocks opportunities for regeneration and new housing development. The Government is committed to a 50% increase in transport investment from 2015 to 2020, enabling the largest rail modernisation since the Victorian times and the biggest road investment programme since the 1970s.

Over 1900 energy projects have been completed since 2010.  Construction of the first new nuclear project in a generation is now underway at Hinkley Point C, and since 2010, over 30GW of new capacity has been added to the electricity grid, around 75% from renewable sources. Over 100 renewable projects are currently under construction across the UK, which will provide 5.6GW of new capacity and over £57 billion of energy investment is in the pipeline between 2017/18 and 2020/21. This summer, more than half of the UK’s electricity came from low carbon sources, making 2017 the “greenest” summer ever recorded by the National Grid, helping the government to meet its long-term climate change commitments.

Over 370 social infrastructure projects have been completed since 2010, and more than 735,000 additional pupil places have been created, with over 1.1 million homes delivered.

Andrew Jones MP, exchequer secretary to the Treasury, said: “We are backing Britain with a record amount of infrastructure investment as we build an economy fit for the future. That’s why we’re working with the industry to skill up and scale up for the challenges ahead. Investing in infrastructure boosts productivity for the economy as a whole. The scale of the investment we are talking about here will deliver a step change for our country.”

Transport secretary Chris Grayling said: “We’re undertaking the most ambitious improvements in our transport network this country has seen for decades. But we must also drive forward plans to ensure these infrastructure projects are completed on time and on budget.

“World-leading projects such as Crossrail, the Ordsall Chord and the huge investment programme in our major roads show that Britain can deliver on time and on budget, boosting jobs and growth and creating new opportunities across the nation. But we want to do better. This strategy shows the way and sets out our standards for how we will do more and better in future.”

Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) chief executive, Nelson Ogunshakin, said: “In the run-up to the Budget we asked the government to support our sector by making a long-term commitment to infrastructure. We are delighted that they have responded to our call. The ten-year investment pipeline will help bring certainty to the industry and encourage our members to invest in their own skills and capabilities in order to meet this demand.

“We’re pleased to see a focus on productivity and encouraging the adoption of new digital and manufacturing technologies. As a sector we look forward to working closely with the IPA which will co-ordinate infrastructure delivery across disparate Whitehall departments. However, we need to reiterate our message to government that we cannot allow the final 15 months of the Brexit negotiations to derail delivery of this Investment pipeline. We need the current focus on infrastructure to remain, even if Brexit looms ever larger over Westminster.”

Please go here for the full report.

Source: Infastructure  Intelligence

uk construction

UK construction hits 5 month high

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The construction sector activity in the UK economy rebounded sharply in November and came in at the highest levels in five months, according to a new report from Markit Economics.

The latest monthly survey of construction purchasing managers indicates that new orders and employment numbers also increased more than they had done in recent five months. However, the improvement in construction growth was largely confined to residential work. Commercial and civil engineering activity continue to decline. Business optimism has picked up from October’s near five-year low to its strongest rate since June.

Tim Moore, Senior Economist at IHS Markit and author of the Markit/CIPS Construction PMI®, noted: “UK construction companies experienced a solid yet uneven improvement in business conditions during November. Once again, resilient house building growth helped to offset lower volumes of commercial work and civil engineering activity. “Survey respondents noted that residential projects underpinned the rebound in total new order growth to its strongest since June, helped by strong demand fundamentals and a supportive policy backdrop.”

Construction companies indicated a moderate rebound in new orders in November, with the rate of expansion the fastest for five months. Anecdotal evidence cited a general improvement in client demand after the soft patch this summer. Higher levels of new work helped to support a moderate rise in staff numbers and input buying in November.

Duncan Brock, director of customer relationships at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: “At last the construction sector, has picked its feet up with the biggest overall improvement in five months, underpinned by a moderate rise in new orders, but the strongest since June. It appears that policy support and a small recovery in the UK economy has boosted sentiment and encouraged clients to come out of their shells and start building again. The housing sector was the primary driver of growth increasing at the fastest rate for almost half a year. However it is private sector companies that need to commit to big ticket spending, with commercial development still underperforming as persistent Brexit uncertainty continues to bite. Concerns over civil engineering in particular are also prevalent with its downward course the longest since 2013 and linked to a shortfall of new tender opportunities. Across construction supply chains, delivery times have been under pressure, as materials were in higher demand, while stocks remained in short supply. Lead-times from vendors have now deteriorated in every month for over seven years. Overall, the sector showed an incremental improvement, but business optimism was on the rise and up from last month’s five-year low. Perhaps the darkest days are behind the sector with fresh impetus on the horizon for the New Year.”

For the full report please go here

digital construction

Global Construction Survey 2017

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How can the engineering and construction industry overcome fragmentation, external competition and inconsistent performance by reimagining its approach to governance, people and technology? 

That is the question posed by KPMG in their Make it or Break it global construction survey.

Over the past decades, owners and contractors have made considerable strides in improving the delivery of capital projects. We’ve seen a host of advances in the form of new construction techniques, project delivery strategies, and enhanced processes and controls for safety, risk management, budget, scope and schedule.

70% track project performance based on original approved baseline project schedule and budget.

60% hold routine project review meetings with management, which trigger additional reviews — and if necessary, intervention — for any issues that could impair project performance.

47% say their organisations have separate systems for project reporting, yet a mere 8 percent have what they call “push one button, real-time, full project management information system (PMIS), capable of project and portfolio dashboard reporting.

31% report that their companies do have integrated systems for project reporting, which means that most project managers lack the capability to control all elements of the work.

30% claim to incorporate performance targets into all of their contracts, with a further 52% including targets on “some” of their contracts.

Schedule is ranked as the number one performance measure, followed by cost/cost sharing. Contract performance measures for output/ production, safety, subcontracting and schedule ranked considerably lower

40% of employees are Gen X and 37% are Millennials.

86% say that the “human element” significantly influences project delivery.

What are engineering and construction firms and project owners actually doing to optimise the human element?

As Baby Boomers approach retirement, new generations of workers are taking their place. According to the professionals participating in the global survey:

23% of their workforces are comprised of Baby Boomers (born 1945–1964)

40% of Generation X (born 1965–1979)

37% of Millennials (born 1980–1994).

What are the implications of this generational shift — especially for Millennials who’ve grown up in the digital age and, additionally, don’t always have the nurturing hand of Baby Boomers around their shoulders to help them learn the tricks of the trade?

Giving younger employees the skills, experience and confidence to manage major projects — and managing and motivating them in an appropriate manner is one of the most important tasks facing the sector. It’s also broadly the case that the younger the worker, the greater their digital skills and confidence. Millennials are attracted

by technology, and engineering and construction companies should recognise that investing in a digital workplace could increase their ability to attract and enthuse this demographic.

With exciting innovations like robotics, automation and drones, and powerful data analytics to improve design and project management, engineering and construction would seem to be a perfect stage for showcasing the technological revolution.

55% feel the industry is ripe for disruption

95% think technology/innovation will significantly change their business

74% believe such a change will happen in less than 5 years.

72% say that technology innovation or use of data plays a prominent role in their strategic plan or vision.

Which regions and industries are pioneering the adoption of technology? Our survey responses reveal some fascinating findings. For example, China appears to be leading the pack when it comes to advanced data and analytics and building information modeling, and shares top place with the UK for use of mobile platforms. Owners and contractors from the UK, meanwhile, are the most likely to be employing drones and virtual reality.

Despite a small improvement over the past 12 months, 57% of respondents to this year’s survey still consider themselves to be “followers” or “behind the curve”, and the proportion that view their organisations as “cutting edge” remains at 5%.

Robotic process automation and/or digital labor have a particularly exciting potential and are taking off in many other industries, with machines and computers replacing humans. Once again, engineering and construction lags behind.

83% say their organisation has not yet implemented such technologies, with most expecting a wait of 5 years or more before they become more common

John Herzog – Managing Director, Major Projects Advisory KPMG in the US says: The engineering and construction industry is no stranger to disruption. Over the last few decades we’ve seen the introduction of numerous new technologies, from fax machines to PCs, cell phones to email, and of course, internet to 3-D computer-aided design. Everyone in the industry should be making better use of the vast amounts of data collectedon construction sites. The respondents to this survey appear to have digital strategies, but it seems that many still need to further advance their digital/data road maps. I’m highly optimistic that, by following some or all of these recommendations, the industry can finally start to reap the huge benefits of the digital revolution.

Please go here to download the full report.

drones in construction

Drones could pave the way for big change in the construction industry

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That is according to a survey named Drone Technology within the construction industry conducted by ProDroneWorx, one of the leading UK companies for ariel mapping, inspection and surveying.  

They believe that drones are going to be a major disruptor in the construction industry in the coming years – and effective implementation of the technology will give companies a significant edge in a very competitive market.

They asked senior figures within the construction industry, including surveyors, architects, engineers and construction firms, about their perception, usage and understanding of drone technology.  160 companies responded.

The survey highlighted the following key points:

A third of respondents (33%) are currently using drone technology in their operations. These early adopters understand the benefits it brings to their organisations.

The majority of respondents (67%) are currently not using drone technology. However, most plan to do so in the future.

Of the 33% that are currently using drone technology:

The majority (60%) have been using it for less than a year

11% of this sub-group have been using the technology for the last three to five years making them very early adopters.

The three main reasons firms are using the technology are:

  1. Time savings (49%)
  2. Increased operational efficiency (49%)
  3. Cost savings (47%)

Even though a large percentage (67%) of firms are not currently using drone technology, there’s huge pent-up demand as 77% of this group plan on using the technology in future.

Only a small proportion of firms have no plans to use the technology in the future.

Construction firms have two options when it comes to deciding how to incorporate drone technology into their business models and workflow: creating an internal drone unit/function; or using a 3rd party specialist.

Overall, the vast majority of firms (67%) plan to or currently use 3rd party specialist companies on their projects rather than having an internal drone function within their company.

Issues such as regulation, licensing, insurance, hardware, software and data processing are factors putting firms off an internal function.

Many find it easier, cheaper and less risky to use a professional drone solutions company on projects.

Awareness of drone technology and the various benefits it brings is high within the industry; 75% of respondents understand how the technology can be used within their business.

Although drone technology has many applications within the construction industry, currently its primary use is in photography & video, surveying, asset inspection and progress monitoring.

27% of respondents were from the construction sector, 19% architecture, 18% surveying, 12% other (ecology, agriculture, consultancy etc) and 7% engineering.

Source: ProDroneWorx / UK Construction Media

orbis tech

Broadsword and ORBiS Tech

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Works are progressing well on our full office fit out for ORBiS Tech, who develop uniquely scalable software solutions for the hospitality, fuel and retail markets.

Broadsword Projects LTD are undertaking the full scope of works from design to completion.

Works undertaken will be:

Full design and specification

Artwork manifestation and graphics

Glazed & solid demountable partitions

Joinery including tea point/full height doors/breakfast bars
Artwork manifestation and graphics
Flooring including carpet & vinyl
Suspended ceilings
Fire alarm relocations
Furniture
Data & AV
Decorations

We look forward to bringing you more pictures as the project moves towards completion.

orbis tech

 

green gas

15 million homes could be powered by green gas by 2050

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Biogas produce from domestic waste could generate enough power to fuel 15mn homes by 2050, according to a new report by UK gas distribution firm Cadent.

This would be enough energy to cover households across the south east of England, London, and East Anglia, and the most effective way of managing the large amounts of waste produced in the UK.

Biogas could grow significantly in the next 30 years, allowing black domestic bag rubbish, agricultural waste, energy crops, food waste, and sewage to generate 183TWh of biomethane.

Two-thirds of renewable gas could be sourced from energy crops and agricultural residues, with the remaining third coming from waste. Of that third, 83% would be produced by Bio-Substitute Natural Gas (BioSNG) and 17% would derive from biomethane, generated by anaerobic digestion.

BioSNG production is a thermochemical process that utilises gasification and the methanation of the produced “syngas”. It can be transported through existing natural gas networks to be used in domestic, commercial and industrial heating and CHP applications.

“The findings of this report show that with the right policies in place renewable gas could play a significant role in helping the UK meet its carbon reduction targets, particularly in heat and transport, which are lagging behind electricity,” commented Cadent Director of Network Strategy, David Parkin.

“Alongside other green energy solutions, renewable gas offers us an affordable, sustainable route to heat our homes and fuel transport, while tackling climate change, and contributing towards more sustainable waste management and cleaner air.”

In November of last year Ecotricity – the UKs greenest energy company claimed that by 2035, almost all homes in Britain could be heated by the green gas from grass – creating an industry worth £7.5 billion annually for the economy.

They received planning permission to build a prototype of the first-of-a-kind green gas mill at Sparsholt College in Hampshire.

Their report also stated that the green gas production will be “virtually carbon neutral” and could play a significant role in Britain meeting its climate targets.

Ecotricity founder Dale Vince said: “As North Sea reserves run out, the big question is where we’re going to get our gas from next. The government thinks fracking is the answer, but this new report shows there is a better option.

“Recently, it’s become possible to make green gas and put it into the grid, in the same way we’ve been doing with green electricity for the last two decades. The current way of doing that is through energy crops and food waste – but both have their drawbacks.

“Our first green gas mill has just been given the go-ahead, and we hope to build it soon – though that does depend on whether government energy policy will support this simple, benign and abundant energy source. I call on Theresa May to review the government’s plan for where Britain gets its gas – post-North Sea.”

Green energy is electricity and gas made from renewable sources, green electricity from the wind, sun and sea, and green gas made from organic materials and is completely carbon neutral. In 2013 there was just one green gas plant in the UK. Now there are over 60 projects using anaerobic digestion to make biomethane useful to us.

Green gas is incredibly versatile, used as a source of electricity, a replacement to petrol, and a new way to heat homes. Using greener gas means “It’s not disruptive in terms of the roads and our urban environments,” says Chris Train OBE, chief executive of National Grid Gas Distribution Limited. “It’s also not disruptive in the home, for customers. It allows us to use existing appliances. That’s a great advantage.”

Sources – Energy digital / Utility Week / Ecotricity

armstrong ceiling tiles

Armstong Ceiling Tiles

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Following on from our recent social media post about using the above tiles, we are going to provide more information on the materials that we used.

The tile used on this particular office refit job for Hackwood homes were Armstrong Puretone Regular ceiling tiles in a 24mm grid system.

Armstrong provide ceilings for commercial spaces and the home and are a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative commercial and residential ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions.

Their ceilings have acoustical properties and that means they can help control sound and noise within a room and room to room. They have ceilings that also address fire and seismic concerns too.

They offer 25 mineral ceiling solutions in grid sizes 15mm 24mm and 24/35mm with varying levels of acoustics. There are ceiling panels, canopies, vertical baffles and open cell & mesh.

They offer the broadest range of textures, sizes and shapes, with key performance features to enhance the design of any space. Mineral ceilings provide solutions for every acoustical need from high sound absorption to high sound attenuation or a balance of both.

Have a browse of their website here:

https://www.armstrongceilings.com

armstrong ceiling tiles

 

 

new homes

New home permissions hit the highest on record

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According to the latest Housing Pipeline report from the Home Builders Federation, the number of  planning permissions granted in the year to June 2017 is the highest seen since 2006. 

Permission for  321,982 new homes was granted during the 12 month period, up form 278,652 the previous year. However, the data also indicated that there has been a “slight cooling” in residential development in the second quarter of the year, with the number homes approved falling 14% from the first quarter yet the figure is still up 13% on the year before.

Demand for the help to buy scheme is continuing to boost numbers. More than 200,000 people live in new build homes thanks to  help to buy.  However, with the scheme supposedly coming to an end in 2021, house builders are seeking assurances as to if it will continue past this date to determine investment decisions.

Stewart Baseley, HBF’s executive chairman, was positive about the impact of the help to buy scheme. He said that ‘the help to buy scheme hasn’t just helped 200,000 people buy a home, it has helped them to build a new home which is, in turn, boosting supply and generating huge benefits for communities, councils and the Exchequer.

‘Ultimately if people can buy, builders can build and confidence in demand is crucial to future build rates.  The figures show that if demand for new homes remains strong and the planning system processes applications efficiently, further increased in build rates can be delivered in the coming years.’

However, the planning system itself is still laborious, meaning that it could take 3-4 years for most of these to reach completion. Whilst housing supply is up 52% in the past three years there are still not enough homes to adequately cater for our population and the planning system remains one of the major constraints on supply. Speeding up the rate at which builders get onto sites, and ensuring Local Authorities abide by their responsibilities and allocate sites that meet their local housing needs are key requirements if the house building industry is to deliver much needed housing.

Baseley also stated that ‘These record planning permission figures are a clear indication that house builders are committed to increasing housing output. We’ve seen 50% growth in output over the last three years and these figures indicate that progress can continue. We need to see confirmation from government as to the future of the very successful Help to Buy scheme post 2021. We also need to see the proposals to improve the planning system outlined in the White Paper moved forward and implemented.’

solecco solar

New Solar roof tiles to be launched

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Solecco Solar are getting ready to launch their new solar roof tile solution at UK Construction Week this month, as well as their new website www.soleccosolar.com

The new, innovative technology company supplies and installs unique, sustainable solar roof tiles for developers and homeowners with aesthetics and renewable energy at the top of their design agenda.

The roofing tiles attract energy even when its cloudy, reducing annual operational bills significantly. They are also an excellent architectural consideration. The tiles combine minimalistic, sleek aesthetics with outstanding performance.

The solution is integrated into roofing via a unique interlocking method, with tiles fitting seamlessly on up to 98% of roof surface area. The zero-glass system has a low carbon footprint and is an eco-asset which drives energy efficiency and protects against rising electricity costs.

As well as exhibiting and launching the brand at Construction Week UK’s Energy 2017, Solecco Solar is showcasing at London Build 2017 on 25 – 26 October. Solecco is also shortlisted for Product of the Year Award at both the London Construction Awards and National Energy Efficiency Awards 2017.

James Birch, Development Director said: “The exhibition is the ideal opportunity for us to showcase Solecco Solar Tiles to a diverse audience of industry professionals. The event connects us to potential customers who are, in the current construction climate, actively seeking an aesthetic and renewable energy solution to enhance their sustainable approach to development.”