In IPD with HiDef BIM the structural engineer of record (SEOR) produces a complete design predicated on the most efficient construction sequence with structure topography and details tailored to optimize construction efficiency, economy and quality. This is in contrast to conventional practice in which the contract documents reflect a concept design that is based on no particular construction sequence or means and methods.
In HiDef BIM the Tekla structural design model is carried to shop drawing level detail and used to produce structural steel, rebar, and light gage framing shop drawings either by the engineer-of-record or handed off to the supplier to produce shop drawings.
5. ">Nicholas Bloom, a professor in the Stanford Business School discussed the use of metrics in manufacturing as a way to identify and monitor well-managed companies. He says huge gains in productivity can be realized by identifying and monitoring Key Performance Indicators, or KPI’s.
6. Dean Reed, with ">DPR, a leader in the lean construction, IPD, and BIM since the infancy of these technologies, talked about the need to manage the interfaces to minimize risk.
One way to manage the interfaces is to merge the processes of design, detail, and shop drawings, pulling construction knowledge forward in the process. In Dean’s words, they need to “integrate, pull work, build virtually, fabricate the model, deliver and assemble only what is needed when it is needed”—the principals of lean implemented with BIM and IPD.
DPR's philosophy is summarized as: “design the design process, design for fabrication, build virtually, design to budget, and engage with the model.”
DPR has identified KPI’s for its processes and reported notable gains: construction uncertainty down by 83%, rework down 80%, productivity up 20%, tool-time up from 50% to 73%, delivery 30% faster, no compromise on owners goals, no increase in cost.
Again in Reed’s words: “KPI's enable us to focus and manage, metrics help us see and understand performance, [so] we can learn, adjust in action within the project.”
7. Wendy Li, a Stanford Ph.D. at CIFE, presented one of the “new” technologies at the summer program this year. She developed and applied a system for identifying and monitoring KPIs throughout the design and construction processes. She implemented her system on a complex IPD hospital project and an equally complex theme park project, partnering with Skanska on the hospital project and with Disney on the theme park project. Both Skanska and Disney intend to continue with the pioneering work in their ongoing operations.
8. Energy use reduction also was a big topic at this year’s conference. Ben Schwegler, Chief Scientist at Walt Disney Imagineering, presented the results of systematic studies that showed the possibility of increasing fuel-to-energy conversion efficiency from 30% to better than 80% by using district-wide planning and design.
