B1 - Group B - Kai Waechter

BIM/Future

               BIM or Building Information Modelling is often misinterpreted as being encompassed by programs such as REVIT and CAD as these software tools are introduced as being BIM. BIM is much more than just software however. In Arayici’s article, he goes into further detail of what makes up BIM. Aside from these engineering design software, BIM deals primarily in the building life cycle in relation to construction management, design, and maintaining the structure post construction. Not knowing much about BIM, I found this article rather enlightening [1].

               The future of BIM is fast approaching as tech companies develop more advanced and capable software to tackle different challenges presented in this field. One such advancement is the technology behind 3D laser scanning. While this method is considered rather costly, with recent advancements it has become more affordable, and a viable option for certain engineering projects. These laser scans can take the sometimes time consuming task of generating a structure in a BIM software such as CAD, and turn it into an effortless process of setting up a scanner and letting it generate the model for you. A typical scan can take as little as 30 minutes, with another 30 for processing and uploading.

The image above is one such structure analyzed through the use of a laser scanner and because of it, nearly $30,000 in cost avoidances were identified which wouldn’t have been if traditional methods had been used [2].

3D Printing/Structures/Future

               3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing) is the process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file. This is done using an additive process which involved creating an object by laying down successive layers of material until the final product is created. Each layer serves as a very thin horizontal cross-section of the object being printed. The process of 3D printing begins with the creation of a virtual model, typically done in CAD or another compatible 3D modeling program. Originally3D printing was limited to making only plastic objects, however with recent advanced in 3D printing, its capabilities have improved enough to be able to generating metal in various complex structures, making it a viable tool in the construction industry [3].

               Attached is a useful video, detailing the process of 3D printing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQevOiS61SI [4]. The technology for 3D printing is currently limited by how expensive it can be and the size of the actual printers. There are currently some that exist which are capable of printing entire houses and apartments from the ground up. Once this technology has reached the speed and cost effectiveness to make this a valid option for large scale construction, it could shake up the entire construction industry [5]. The capabilities of these machines has been constantly getting better and shows no sign of slowing down. What future they hold only time will tell.

References:

BIM:

[1] http://usir.salford.ac.uk/36271/

[2] http://www.bdcnetwork.com/5-tech-trends-transforming-bimvdc

3D Printing:

[3] http://3dprinting.com/what-is-3d-printing/\

[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQevOiS61SI [3].

[5] http://www.sculpteo.com/blog/2015/10/07/3d-printing-construction/

Comments:

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