The Tocci VDC group continues its implementation of Virtual Construction by utilizing models in the field.

The group plans to provide both material quantities and 3D views of upcoming work to field staff. It is anticipated that this information will reduce on site waste and prevent field issues.

This process will be utilized on upcoming projects, with current efforts being focused on Capitol Cove and the Starwood hotels.

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The BIMForum met last week in Boston, MA for its first standalone working meeting. The 100+ attendees represented practically every sector of the industry: builders, designers, engineers, lawyers, owners, professors, software vendors, and subcontractors.

The focus of this meeting was working on projects that will support industry-wide implementation. Each subforum spent the better part of the 2 days working on their specific projects, then came together at the end of meeting to inform the other groups.

The largest group, the Process Mapping Task Force, moved forward in defining a collaborative process and expects to fine-tune and document the process over the next 6 months. The Legal Subforum, chaired by Rick Lowe and Duane Morris, had 3 days of solid work; they looked to updating the language to better address issues.

The Software Vendors Subforum, chaired by Jonathan Widney, Autodesk, started to bring all of the vendors together to design elementary training sessions that can support some of the needs of the industry. The Emerging Leaders’ Subforum, chaired by John Tocci, Jr., Gilbane, and Sarah Vekasy, KlingStubbins, had a successful first meeting establishing a 1-year plan which included establishing BIMWiki, putting together a VDC Crash Course for Students and begin plans to have a VDC Wan Party.

Although work will continue virtually, the group will physical meet face to face again in January 2008, in Miami, FL.

“Tocci’s Laura Handler, virtual design and construction planner, is energized by the synergy saying, ‘It is exciting to see subs collaborating so closely, being charged by the process – working in unison to resolve installation design, clash, and space issues. We are going to walk away from the coordination process assured that field installations will run smoothly.”

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“It may sound a little weird the first time you say it, but get used to it: BIM. You say it like the name Tim. It’s got numerous other names: virtual design and construction, virtual building, buildingSmart, integrated practice, integrated project delivery.

The names may be different but they mean the same thing for commercial construction: the death of waste.”

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After completing the models of all of the systems, the Capitol Cove VDC team has focused their attention primarily on MEP coordination.

At this point, the subcontractors have approved the coordination solution for the first two levels. Despite tight plenum clearances, the floors were coordinated without soffits or a significant number of penetrations. According to Jaime MacFall, the Virtual Construction Coordinator on the project, “The timing of the coordination was such that we were able to have the penetrations prefabricated, resulting in some cost savings.”

The team also used the model to evaluate the effect of modifying the layouts of some kitchens and baths, helping the owner make critical decisions.

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