Building Information Modelling, Virtual and Augmented Reality and 3D printing are no longer just "nice to have" but an essential part of project delivery. Here, Daniel Moodie a BIM Technical Specialist based in GHD’s Perth office, shares his thoughts on the future of infrastructure design.
Digital Engineering
Building Information Modelling (BIM) has helped to transform the way we design infrastructure and streamlined project processes, which ultimately provides more value to our clients. When I started working on a major airport rail-link project as BIM project lead, I had no idea how I was going to deliver it. There were no references or past projects to go by at this scale. It was all a learning curve, establishing new processes and workflows and investing in the right technologies.
The digital engineering industry is moving quickly as it heads towards software driven generative designing which will produce a huge amount of design options or reiterations given the input parameters. This provides design solutions that has never been thought of before, without the restrictions of the engineer’s/designer’s knowledge or experience which makes it really exciting.
Virtual and augmented reality (VR & AR) adds another dimension
When a client looks at a 2D drawing or videos, it can be difficult to imagine the design vision. We take the guesswork out of smart connected infrastructure and technology for our clients by bringing it all together using the digital tools available.
Virtual and augmented reality is no longer reserved for the gaming world, today, it can be used effectively to transform how we plan, design and build infrastructure, and of course engage clients from the very beginning. Clients can experience first-hand how a design and its iterations work in reality, as they are put into the virtual space before it is built. It gives them a real understanding of the finished product. No longer do clients need to sign off on something they do not fully understand.
A lot of our BIM or digital engineering models can branch into virtual and augmented reality. You can hover your mobile phone over a 2D infrastructure cross-section drawing and a 3D model appears. This allows better understanding about how different elements fit together.
The technology is out there. It is how you can adapt it to your discipline or business.
3D Printing
3D printing allows you to create models and objects for clients quickly from the digital files. In the past creating models of our designs was labour intensive, time consuming and expensive, and we were prohibited from making changes clients could not see but having a 3D printer in-house solves this. We can go back to a client meeting with a fully formed model incorporating their design changes in a very short space of time. Our clients have a clear view of our design and most importantly, how it functions. We can create 3D models to spatially design and visualise the project and how it will affect or fit into the existing environment. GHD’s 3D printer allows us to experiment with its capabilities for better outcomes for clients. It is causing a lot of interest and discussion. Because people can see fast results and see its use in context, 3D printing is changing mindsets and inspiring them to try the new technology.
With the development of GHD Digital and us moving fast into world of digital technologies, I have been able to explore different technology options (VR, AR and 3D printing) that can improve project deliveries to our clients.
Using BIM Modelling (digital engineered solutions) on the major airport rail-link project allowed us to verify our design with a higher level of certainty, reduce project delays, cost overruns and increase cost savings.
With technology evolving at such a fast pace, you need to be willing to fail to succeed. To experiment. Be prepared to change and evolve.
Meet Bill
Practice Director - Digital Strategy & Transformation
+61 7 3316 3718
Email Bill Thomson
