Temporary works are an essential component of construction projects. They provide the support structures necessary to ensure the safety and stability of permanent works as they are built. These temporary structures can include scaffolding, formwork, falsework, and other interim measures that must be carefully designed and executed. However, the planning, design, and management of temporary works can be complex and time-consuming, often leading to delays or increased costs if not handled efficiently.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is revolutionizing the way temporary works are designed, managed, and integrated into the broader construction process. By leveraging BIM for temporary works, construction professionals can improve collaboration, reduce risks, and optimize project timelines. Here’s how BIM is streamlining the management of temporary works in the construction industry.
1. Enhanced Planning and Visualization
One of the key advantages of using BIM for temporary works is the ability to create detailed 3D models that accurately represent the construction environment. This allows project teams to visualize the temporary structures in the context of the entire project, enabling better planning and coordination.
In a traditional setup, temporary works are often designed separately from the permanent works, leading to potential clashes and coordination issues on-site. BIM eliminates these risks by integrating the design of temporary works (scaffolding, formwork, falsework, access roads etc) into the broader project model, allowing all stakeholders to see how these structures fit with the permanent works. This level of visualization helps teams anticipate challenges and make informed decisions during the design phase, reducing the likelihood of delays later.
Improving efficiency but also enhancing safety on-site by identifying potential hazards before construction begins
2. Improved Collaboration Across Disciplines
BIM fosters a collaborative environment where engineers, architects, contractors, and temporary works designers can work together more effectively. Traditionally, the design of temporary works has been siloed, with separate teams managing different aspects of the project. This often results in communication breakdowns and coordination issues that can lead to costly mistakes or delays.
With BIM, all stakeholders can access a shared digital model, ensuring that everyone is working with the same up-to-date information. This improves coordination between teams and helps to prevent conflicts that might arise due to design discrepancies or overlooked details. Changes to the design of either the temporary or permanent works can be reflected in real-time within the BIM model, ensuring that everyone is aware of the impact on the project as a whole.
By facilitating better collaboration, BIM reduces the risk of costly rework and project delays caused by miscommunication. It also encourages early involvement of temporary works designers, who can provide valuable input during the planning and design stages of the project.
3. Clash Detection and Risk Mitigation
One of BIM’s most powerful features is its ability to perform clash detection, which identifies conflicts between different elements of the project before construction begins. When temporary works are modelled in BIM, potential clashes between temporary and permanent structures can be spotted early in the design phase. This prevents costly on-site adjustments and reduces the risk of delays caused by unforeseen issues.
In addition to clash detection, BIM helps mitigate risks by allowing teams to simulate construction sequences and plan for safety-critical aspects of the project. Temporary works, which are often safety-sensitive, can be reviewed in a virtual environment to ensure that all safety standards are met and that the structures will perform as expected under various conditions.
4. Cost and Time Efficiency
By integrating temporary works into the BIM process, project teams can achieve significant cost and time savings. BIM helps optimize the design and installation of temporary works, ensuring that these structures are built efficiently and with minimal waste. The detailed 3D models provided by BIM allow for more accurate material estimation and reduce the risk of over-ordering or under-ordering materials for temporary works.
Moreover, the ability to visualize and simulate construction sequences in BIM helps teams plan more effectively, leading to fewer delays on-site. With better coordination and planning, projects can proceed more smoothly, reducing the need for costly rework or last-minute changes. This efficiency translates into time savings that help keep the project on schedule, benefiting both the client and the contractor.
5. Lifecycle Management and Data Integration
Temporary works, while short-lived compared to permanent structures, still require careful management throughout their lifecycle. BIM enables more effective tracking and management of temporary works by integrating them into the overall project model. Teams can monitor the progress of temporary works in real-time and make adjustments as needed, ensuring that they are installed, maintained, and dismantled at the appropriate stages of the project.
In addition, the data generated by BIM can be used to inform future projects. Information on temporary works design, performance, and costs can be stored and referenced for similar projects in the future, creating a valuable knowledge base that helps improve efficiency and reduce costs on subsequent jobs.
BIM is transforming the way temporary works are managed in construction projects. By enhancing planning, improving collaboration, detecting clashes, and optimizing costs and schedules, BIM provides a comprehensive solution for the complexities of temporary works. As the construction industry continues to adopt digital technologies, the use of BIM for temporary works will become increasingly essential for delivering safe, efficient, and cost-effective projects.
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Testimonials
Karl and the team are very professional and have a vast knowledge of BIM coordination.
Dwayne Willaims Babinda Electrics
We had multiple large projects with tight deadlines and needed a company we could trust. The teams delivery, attention to detail and understanding of what is being designed is always executed to a high standard.
Martin O’Donovan Envar Engineers
Draftech offered a flexible and reliable approach to working collaboratively with our team. They met our expectations and quality requirements and also offered up new ideas.
Draftech have proven to be a valuable and trustworthy resource and we will continue to work with Draftech on other projects.
Simon Marsden Umow Lai
Draftech is different from others in the professionalism and features they provide.
The ability to walk through projects in real time online provides invaluable insight into problem areas and helps provide an efficient resolution on the spot without many phone calls, emails and the necessity for us to paw through countless drawings to understand the issues.
Todd Morris Manager - Air mech
Draftech were put forward to FIP Electrical as the solution to Coordinate, Model, carry out clash detection, provide Electrical Services Shop Drawings, as built documentation and completed electrical model.
Simon Thorpe FIP Electrical
In close collaboration Draftech set up all our systems and model deliverables. In this process Draftech have proven to be a valuable resource for us and demonstrated commitment, understanding and professionalism.
David Skelley DJCoalition
Draftech’s attention to detail and proactive nature throughout the project assisted us in identifying issues before becoming evident on site, saving us both time and unexpected costs.
Matt Payne PJM Engineering Services
They delivered very high quality Revit models and associated 2D documentation at key milestones, working to a tight budget and in strict accordance with the Architects’ BIM requirements.
Peter Thomas Geoff Hesford
We found Draftech’s work to be of high standard and the team delivered exactly as agreed, in fact, when we considered the project complete, Draftech put further resources into the project as they were not satisfied.
John Johnson Beca
Engaging Draftech during design gave us the tools to make smart decisions.
Hansen Yuncken Design Manager - Michael Harkins
The drafting service is timely, reliable and fit for purpose for the built environment.
Peter Harvey Harvey Industries
Draftech stands apart from other drafting services that we have previously used in their attention to detail and ability to adapt to the individual client’s requirements.
Doug Holt McCaig Aircon
I can confidently recommend Draftech as a solid and reliable supplier, and experts in their field. I look forward to working with them again in the near future.
Chris Behan Norman Disney & Young
After seeing the benefits Draftech provided us on the Townsville Hospital Redevelopment we have set up a relationship with Draftech and intend to continue to use their BIM knowledge and skills for our future projects.
Brad Lund Energy Power Systems
Draftech has no competition as they are in a class of their own.
John Boyes Babinda Electrics
Draftech Developments Drafting and Design Capabilities, in conjunction with their outstanding level of Client service and support has provided great solutions to our engineering and Drafting Design portions within our Gorgon Barrow Island Project.
Aaron Hazelton Applied Electro Systems Pty Ltd
Draftech set up necessary systems and workflows very quickly, but also setup auditable estimating and weekly cost tracking processes that we utilised, requiring little maintenance.
TOM PURDON MPM GROUP
