VIRTUAL CONSTRUCTION SOLUTION

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VIRTUAL CONSTRUCTION SOLUTION

• An Introduction to Graphisoft Constructor and
  Estimator

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Agenda

• Why do we model construction process?
• What is GS Visual Construction Solution?
• Modelling with Constructor
• Define and assign recipe with Estimator
• Creating a cost estimate and tender documents
• 4D and 5D simulation
• Demonstration Videos
• GS Constructor 2007
• GS Estimator 2007

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Version 2005 and 2007

• Graphisoft just released the newest version of
  their Virtual Construction Solution
• All components are now upgraded to version 2007
• Many reference materials are still for version
  2005
• Our PC lab (GB422) has version 2005
• I will present version 2005
• Users Manual will be available on the course
  website (PDF) for both version 2005 and version
  2007.
• Video demo will show features of 2007
• Visit www.graphisoft.com for more materials

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Modelling Construction Process

• Question Why is this important?
• Answer Money!
• Construction is not a perfect industry
• Misunderstandings!
• Missing information on the drawing and specs set!
• Errors! That does happen!
• Changes!
• Humans ability to imagine and analyze projects
  with multiple dimensions
• General 3D space
• Time (schedule)
• Cost (budget)

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Modelling Construction Process

• Question What is the key to success?
• Answer A good model!
• What is a model?
• A good model should be
• Accurate!
• 3D is the basic!
• Have one or more focuses!
• Multidimensional!
• Interoperable!

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Modelling Construction Process

• Question Who creates the model?
• Answer Construction Modellers!
• Must consider every intended use of the model
  when planning the creation of each building
  element
• Planning constructability analysis needs an
  insight into how an element is assembled,
  including the space requirement of the equipment
  needed for its assembly.
• Estimating requires knowledge of the properties
  of each building element on which the estimating
  formula relies.
• Sequencing depends on an understanding of the
  possible sequences involved in constructing each
  element.
• Eventually, knows modelling software very well.
• Work closely with estimator, scheduler, PM, etc.

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GS Virtual Construction Solution

• Question What is this?
• Answer
• The Virtual Construction suite of technologies
  employs 3D modeling to virtually construct the
  project. This process identifies constructability
  issues during design and/or preconstruction. The
  3D model is further utilized to extract accurate
  estimating quantities and to analyze alternative
  construction sequences. Finally, design (3D),
  schedule (4D) and cost (5D) are all interlinked,
  so a change to any of the three automatically
  updates the other two.

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What is in GS VC 2007

• GS Constructor 2007
• Virtually build a project for constructability
  analysis, cost control, and coordination
• GS Estimator 2007
• Create accurate model-based estimates, manage
  bids and quotes and create cost reports
• GS Control 2007
• Location based construction management (schedule,
  duration, workflows, etc.)
• GS 5D Presenter 2007
• View, communicate and analyze your Virtual
  Construction model
• GS Cost Manager 2007
• Analyze and communicate project cost, budget
  status and variance during design and
  construction
• GS Change Manager 2007
• Identify, interpret and react to drawing changes

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Overall Modelling Process
Create cost estimate
Build 3D model
Assign recipe to 3D model
Publish quantity information
Create tender document
Collect data and setup a new project
5D presentation
Create tasks for project sequencing
Define recipe in Estimator
4D simulation

• Collect project and set up the basic project
  information
• in GS Constructor and Estimator

Create an accurate 3D model in GS
Constructor Model includes architectural,
structural, and service (M, E, P) information
Define recipe information in GS Estimator A
recipe has all information of how a building
member is constructed including components,
materials, resources
Assign recipe to all project members So far all
cost information for all members are defined
Publish the quantity of each project member to GS
Estimator Quantity includes the area, volume,
length, etc. For example, the area of wall
surface, the volume of column concrete, etc.
In GS Estimator, we now can create cost
estimate, tender documents, and tasks for project
sequencing
Now we can generate 4D (3D Time) simulation in
GS Constructor
Finally we can put 4D and cost together to
generate 5D presentation.
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Architectural Model vs. Construction Model

• Architectural Model
• aims on geometric parameters and surface
  materials (for photo rendering purpose)
• Many applications available to create
  Architectural model, GS offers ArchiCAD
• Construction Model
• aims on geometric parameters and construction
  (construction methods and required resources to
  build each member)
• GS has Constructor and Estimator to create a
  construction model

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Modelling with GS Constructor

• ArchiCAD vs. Constructor
• They have same 3D modelling technique
• ArchiCAD supports photo rendering by assign
  surface materials to all members and is mainly
  for architectural professionals
• Constructor takes construction information
  (construction methods, resources, cost, and
  schedule) through the data exchange with
  Estimator
• Two key modelling concepts
• GDL Object technology adopted by GS
• Recipe Construction information container

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Geometric Description Language

• GDL is the programming language to describe model
  member in ArchiCAD and Constructor.
• It contains all the information necessary to
  completely describe building elements as 2D CAD
  symbols, 3D models and text specifications for
  use in drawings, presentations and quantity
  calculations.
• GDL objects are similar to blocks in AutoCAD, but
  unlike blocks, these are parametric, and the 2D
  and 3D features are connected.
• GDL is a free technology, it is allowed and
  possible to develop GDL based object libraries
  using free tools.

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Recipe, Method, Resource

• A definable, identifiable part of a building will
  have a recipe assigned to it.
• A recipe describes a group of items/activities
  and resources needed to construct the building
  part.
• The separate items/activities are called methods.
• A recipe is the summation of a number of methods,
  and a method is a summation of a number of
  resources.

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Recipe, Method, Resource
With all this information, we can fully define
the construction information of a building column
how it is constructed (the methods) and the
cost of this column (the resources).
A recipe is a specific, identifiable part of a
building, in this case it is a column. There may
be more than one type of columns in a project, in
terms of size, shape, material, or building
method each of them entitles a specific recipe.
There are several stages to build a column. In
this case, we say putting reinforce bars,
forming, concreting, and cladding. Each stage
entitles a construction method, for example,
pouring concrete.
Resources are identifiable parts of a process
that can be priced. In this example, we say
pouring concrete needs three resources concrete
in cubic meters, labour in manhours, and
equipment in piecehours.
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Building 3D Model in Constructor

• Where to start?
• Create a new model from blueprints
• Open an architectural model to add construction
  information
• What is next?
• Create all elements of a project in Constructor
  (geometric info), if you have a 3D model
  available, then go to the next step
• Create construction information (recipe) in
  Estimator (construction method, cost, resource,
  task, etc)
• Link Constructor file and Estimator file by
  assigning Recipes to elements

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Build 3D Model

• Service Modelling
• Foundation
• Load-bearing structures (walls, beams, columns,
  and slabs)
• Stairs and ramps
• Special members
• Architectural Modelling
• Partition walls and openings
• Finishes
• Ceilings
• Fixtures
• Building Service Modelling
• System manager
• Pipeline and ductwork

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Define Recipe in Estimator

• Recipe ?Method, example concrete beam
• Reinforcing 1 method
• Concreting 1 method
• Panel formwork 1 method
• Method ?Resource, example concreting
• Concreting Labour (workforce) 1 resource
• Concrete (material) 1 resource
• Oscillating agitator (equipment) 1 resource
• Recipe could be from standard library or be
  created by user

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Assign Recipe in Estimator

• Select the element in the Constructor window
• Click the setting button
• Go to the floor plan and section
• Select the appropriate one from a set of
  available recipes

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Data Processing

• Project Setup
• Indicate which project model uses which
  estimating file
• Export Quantities to Estimator
• Export quantities from constructor model to
  estimator file then build quantity information
  for each recipe (area, volume, length, etc.)
• Refresh Recipes from Estimator file
• Import recipe information to Constructor
• Import Model Data
• Import model from Constructor to Estimator

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4D Simulation

• 4D 3D time
• 4D Simulation available in both ArchiCAD and
  Constructor
• Create a new task
• Link the objects to task(s)
• Create animation

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5D Simulation

• 5D 3D time cost
• 5D is only available in GS Constructor
• Create a new task
• Group methods to task(s)
• Edit tasks information
• Schedule
• Any procurement needs?
• Additional resources?
• Any dependencies?
• Refresh tasks in GS Constructor
• Show 5D simulation

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Demonstration Videos

• GS Constructor 2007 Demo
• GS Estimator 2007 Demo
• More available on www.graphisoft.com

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