9 minute read
The briefing
Technology
BIM is just the Beginning
MIDDLE EAST
Dayesh Jaiswal, director at Techture, outlines how the BIM and technology consultancy firm is helping to revolutionise the construction sector
As a BIM and technology consultancy firm, Techture has been established in the UAE since 2014. The company has worked on projects such as The Rove Hotel, Address Residences, Gate Avenue DIFC, Expo 2020, and The Cove DCH with clients like Emaar, HLG, Kier Group, Al Naboodah, LACASA Architects and many more, delivering a variety of BIM outputs.
With production offices in India, along with coordination offices in Dubai, USA, UK and Singapore, the firm specialises in creating international code compliant models at all levels of developments. With the Dubai office responsible for the projects in UAE and the company’s recent expansion into Saudi Arabia with projects like Diriyah Gate Development and MISK City Infrastructure, amongst others, Techture is transitioning towards becoming a construction technology consultant.
The company’s team of BIM and software engineers works in tandem with its dedicated R&D team and technology consultants to develop useful, pragmatic and customised BIM-based applications, plug-ins and automation scripts to extend the utility of existing BIM models and construction data, proving themselves to be an industry leader.
In order to fully understand how their client first policy, combined with high-quality outputs, quick turn around times and ISO certified implementation strategy, has ensured 80% repeat business, Big Project ME speaks to Dayesh Jaiswal, director at Techture:
How does Techture leverage custom software development on a typical BIM project? We work with BIM professionals to deliver BIM solutions at various stages of a project. Our extensive experience in various BIM implementations projects around the world made us realise there
Filling the gap
Techture helps its clients by providing effective utilisation of BIM data to fill the gaps their clients have.
2014
is a massive gap in utilising BIM data effectively. To quote an example, one of our clients from the logistics industry came to us with a very peculiar problem. They had 3D-models and were already using them for construction effectively. They wanted to understand how these models could be extended beyond the typical construction use case scenario. We worked with their teams to understand the gap and came up with a web-based cloud application that can optimise the size of their warehouses on the basis of the number of pallets, racks, size of pallets, size of boxes and many other parameters. This then allowed them to design their own warehouses based on their capacity requirements and cut down their conceptualisation stage times to one fourth.
Additionally, we also developed a utility within the application to optimise the sizes of cartons based on the type of contents and homogeneous and heterogeneous packing styles. Another utility within the application allowed them to then stack these cartons on pallets in the most efficient and optimised arrangement.
To summarise, the application empowered our customer to optimise their carton sizes, pallet arrangement, and consequently their warehouse layouts and designs. Traditionally, it would have taken them weeks to do the optimisation and we provided them a solution that does it in minutes.
Can you outline what advancements you’ve made in the Digital Twins segment? Digital Twins has been an industry buzzword in recent years and the entire industry is flocking towards creating these virtual models to exactly replicate every aspect of their built asset. Apart from creating the models, along with the COBie information, required for facility management, we extended the utility of the LOD 500 7D Model, for one of our Airport Authority clients. We developed a custom web-based cloud application that would seamlessly integrate with the building management system.
The BMS employed by the client was not BIM enabled and visualisation of the information could only be done by trained professionals. We were brought in to solve this problem and suggested the most optimal solution. We created an application which was able to view all 3D and static Asset Information Data, at a centralised location which could be accessed by anyone.
We also provided the utility of linking the Dynamic IoT sensor data with an automated alarm system that would trigger notifications to the concerned, in the case of overloading. Additionally, we also developed CMMS capabilities within the application to provide a single point of interaction with their digital twin. This enabled the client to have a single point of interaction with their digital twin and realise a
Optimised solutions
Dayesh Jaiswal says that Techture provides clients with optimised solutions that will resolve challenges in an efficient and timely manner.
80%
Percentage of repeat business for Techture
higher return on their investment.
The application empowered the customer to reduce costs on licenses and manpower along with the ability to better visualise the information and data that they have.
What solutions do you provide for linear construction and infrastructure projects? The workflows for creating and utilising 3D information models for infrastructure projects, such as - railways, metros, smart cities, flyovers, expressways, tunnels etc. are established and provide a lot of aid in constructing these assets. We realised that these models were just being used for coordination and quantification for concrete elements. Reinforced steel is the most expensive building material that’s used in large quantities. Optimisation of steel quantities and detailing is very important to save on cost overruns. There were no established workflows for creating reinforcement models for these elements.
We extended the utility of these workflows towards reinforcement steel as well. Our optimised workflows and protocols ensure that the most value engineered design is being translated into the built asset on site. Dynamic linking with design and costs gives you on the spot answers to ‘How much would I save if I were to reduce spacing?’. We have started providing reinforcement optimisation as a part of our standard BIM implementation package.
Leading by Example MAPEI Construction Chemicals, the fully owned subsidiary of MAPEI Group, is a partner of the Italy Pavilion at EXPO 2020 Dubai. In order to fully understand the company’s contribution towards the Italian Pavilion, as well its work on other pavilions and projects related to the mega-event, Big Project ME spoke to Stefano Iannacone, director, Middle East and Africa for MAPEI Group, ahead of the launch of EXPO 2020 Dubai.
MIDDLE EAST
MAPEI’s Stefano Iannaconne reveals how the Italian building solutions provider is leading the way at EXPO 2020 Dubai by showcasing the best sustainable solutions and standards in the regional construction industry
How did MAPEI help deliver the pavilion and work with the pavilion team to deliver it on schedule and to quality? In line with the sustainability subtheme of Expo 2020, MAPEI wanted to create a truly exceptional pavilion that encapsulates the unique blend of Emirati flair and Italian culture. Our expert team worked in close proximity the pavilion team and lead architects to create an extraordinary pavilion through the circular economy approach, using recyclable products.
Our cutting-edge works of engineering were used to recreate real sand dunes and coated the suspended walkway within the pavilion through the use of coffee beans and a special powder made from orange peel.
Our Technical Services Department also provided the resin and concrete flooring to install ceramic and marble, decorate and finish off walls and various waterproofing solutions.
What will MAPEI be showcasing during the Expo? How does the company expect to
connect with audiences and attendees at the Expo? As the world’s leading manufacturer of adhesives, sealants and chemical products for the construction industry, we will showcase our sustainable building solutions at Expo 2020 Dubai.
MAPEI has supplied over 200 ecofriendly products from 20 products lines, including adhesives for ceramics and marble tiles, resilient flooring, waterproofing, concrete repairs, epoxy resin floor coatings and cementitious mortars: weighing over 8,000 tons. MAPEI products will be featured in more than 55 pavilions, 16 zones and 60 areas across the Expo site.
At MAPEI, we believe in leading by example, and will showcase our green initiatives and sustainable best practices at Expo 2020. Our top-quality products will supplement the visitor experience at Expo and will showcase MAPEI’s dynamic business model, which is based on three main principles of sustainability: Social, Environmental and Economic, bringing our ‘Think Local, Act Global’ approach to life at Expo 2020 Dubai.
What are some of the other pavilions MAPEI has worked on and how have its products helped deliver a successful event? MAPEI secured a diverse range of projects at Expo 2020 catering to specific requirements by the pavilions and zones at the Expo site. Aside from the Italy Pavilion, one of the notable pavilions that MAPEI contributed towards is the Expo Village - a residential complex built to accommodate all participating delegates.
Building to the Expo
MAPEI was also involved in the buildup of transportation links to the Expo, including Route 2020.
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Eco-friendly building products used on the Italian Pavilion
Expo Village was the first and one of the biggest projects in which we were involved at Expo 2020, contributing a range of environmentally friendly and low-VOC adhesives, sealants and chemical products to all 15 of the buildings, spanning an area of over 350,000 sqm.
Furthermore, MAPEI also participated in the build leading up to Expo 2020, including the roads and bridges, in addition to the Dubai Metro Red Line station extensions leading up to the Expo site, known as Route 2020.
MAPEI was involved in the excavation works of the Route 2020 metro line, supplying products for underground works to the Expolink consortium, as well as solutions for building a 2.5 km long, 10 m diameter tunnel. In addition, our Underground Technology Team (UTT) was able to share their expertise on the technical aspect of the tunnel segments to ensure long-term durability and longevity of the tunnel.
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority had strict sustainability guidelines for the Route 2020 project, which gave MAPEI the competitive advantage and position as the ideal candidate to support in the build of this mega project.
Other notable Expo 2020 projects include Al Wasl Plaza, UAE Pavilion, Sustainability Pavilion and the Mobility Pavilion, to name a few.
How has MAPEI contributed to the three key themes of the Expo with its products? Sustainability and innovation are part of MAPEI’s core values, and we have seamlessly integrated our vision to build a sustainable future into our corporate development strategies, coupled with innovative best practices, placing a heavy emphasis on research and development.
Our global network of 31 laboratories is equipped with cutting edge technology, headed by MAPEI’s Technical Services Division Team, which consists of certified experts who test thousands of new formulations used to design and construct eco-sustainable building products and advancements. All of our products are analysed for their physical and chemical characteristics, and the subsequent impact on the environment.
Our products adhere to the highest standard of quality attaining us the GSO:ISO 13007, EN 13818, EN 1504 & EN 934 certifications. As an added value, our sustainable best practices have also attained the Leader in Environment and Energy Design (LEED v4) certifications, which played a crucial role in winning all projects related to Expo 2020 Dubai.
Furthermore, MAPEI supplied products to the Expo site which were locally produced at our state-ofthe-art 40,000 sqm manufacturing facility; located only five minutes (3km) from the Expo site, enabling us to incorporate a circularity approach across operations. This has resulted in minimising our carbon footprint through short travel time, enabling us to increase fuel efficiencies.
