Building construction bridges within the AEC industry with VDC Modeling
1
Members of the AEC or Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry have already started with the adoption of the VDC Modeling approach for complex projects. Virtual Design and Construction Services have transformed the way projects are executed and completed. VDC Modeling completely describes the process of construction and design through a collaborative approach at every step of the construction lifecycle. All this happens before the actual construction work begins onsite. The construction industry has moved leaps and bounds from traditional CAD drawings to intelligent 3D models that deliver efficiency and quality improvements across the entire project. VDC Modeling begins with the use of BIM Services. The principal focus of Virtual Design and Construction works on data-driven project collaboration, where every member of the project collaborates and communicates with every other member to get the project done as expected on time and budget. With VDC Modeling, project members can communicate through a common language where all the necessary information is kept transparent on a central repository. Digital innovation is made possible using strengths and solutions of various members. In an environment that works on synergies, it defines an environment that facilitates better decision making and accurate budgets. 2
The AEC industry faces a plethora of challenges that can lead to delayed or over-run budgets. Among these challenges are –
Misinterpretation or misperception of information across the entire lifecycle Resistance to new technology or processes Short-term project profits over long term values Need to invest in new technology or retrain the workforce
What is the importance of VDC Modeling? Virtual Design and Construction Services is all about efficiency and clarity in project stakeholder communication. VDC modeling is the direction in which the AEC industry is headed for. This digital technology helps industry leaders adopt dramatic improvements through a collaborative virtual platform. Elements that enable Virtual Design and Construction Services include – BIM Modeling Services A precise BIM model incorporates vital input from various stakeholders, which is quite important from the perspective of VDC Modeling. The use of a single model is an effective tool for VDC practices, BIM level 3 provides team members and stakeholders with focused goals based on a parametric model.
3
Level of Development (LOD) An LOD or Level of Development helps construction personnel identify the exact depth and element of information for each model element. Building Information Modeling Firms integrate VDC Modeling at LOD levels LOD 100 and move up to LOD 350 or higher. At LOD 350, the location, shape, orientation, quantity of the elements can be decided and designed, this enables project stakeholders to analyze conflicts and challenges before on-site construction actually begins. Collaborative attitude An accurate collaborative ecosystem allows various stakeholders to execute the construction process for various trades. Teams can plan the actual model with precise models and data in a virtual world. VDC works best when individuals don’t work in silos rather than working in large-scale collaboration. The belief behind VDC modeling works on the principle of getting the best people on-board early based on trust, clarity and accountability at every stage of the construction project. Final Words of Wisdom Value engineering at a later stage can create significant issues in terms of budget and time. The value of money becomes extremely prominent towards the closing stage wherein cost becomes the primary issue, to mitigate this, smarter decisions can be leveraged with clear budget requirements. VDC modeling is one of the most important aspects for large scale projects wherein small percentage savings can create huge profits for owners and
4