BIM/VDC and Its Integration With Current and Upcoming Technologies For On-Site Construction Layout

Will Dam, BIM VDC Manager, Andersen Construction

Author Bio –

With 27 years of experience in construction, serving as both a VDC manager and Construction Survey Chief of Parties.

Holds AGC CM-BIM certification and is a member of I.U.O.E. Currently serving as the BIM/VDC manager for Andersen Construction, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with additional offices in Portland, Seattle, Boise, and Eugene.

Although survey total stations with partial robotics have been in use for over two decades, the rapid advancement of office and field tools now facilitates significantly improved productivity and fosters a more collaborative team environment where various roles contribute to information creation, gathering and sharing. Drawing from my experience as a VDC manager with 23 years of field survey background and access to cutting-edge tools and software, here are several pivotal workflows that have propelled our progress.

Model-Based Layout

Transitioning from AutoCAD details to Revit models in 2015 marked a significant shift for us as a GC involved in concrete and mass timber placement. Despite initial learning curves, this transition has proven to be one of our major advancements in aligning detailed information not only with field surveyors but also with our carpentry teams. Our integrated process entails a detailer generating a construction-grade model (minimum LOD 300) based on the CD set drawings. 

This model serves as the foundation for generating placement drawings for all project sequences. Subsequently, these drawings undergo review by the concrete superintendent for accuracy, with necessary adjustments made accordingly. Once the model is updated and verified, it is passed on to the survey chief for further processing. The survey chief exports 2D DXF files used for point creation and serves as the layout reference in the survey controller (we employ Trimble TSC5). Since our model's base point is relative to the site survey control, this seamless interchange of data between office and field streamlines the construction staking process.

As-Built Data Integration with Model

The variability of site conditions often necessitates extensive information gathering. To address this, we've invested in laser scanners for rapid as-built documentation linked to survey control for immediate model review. This review encompasses various aspects, from floor flatness to structural deflection or the positioning of installed MEP systems relative to the coordination model. While the adoption of laser scanners entails significant costs, the speed and accuracy of data acquisition justify it as a worthwhile investment for any GC involved in large-scale projects. For renovation projects, this tool also serves as the foundation for the scan-to-BIM workflow, facilitating early model creation.

Automated Layout

With project schedules becoming increasingly condensed, the introduction of automated layout robots offers a viable solution to enhance productivity, particularly in interior wall layouts. Using a site print-style robot, one individual can oversee equipment operations after regular hours while the survey total station and robot collaborate to lay down all wall lines. On a 30,000-square-foot tower floor, this layout process can be completed in 1-2 mobilizations, freeing framers to focus on framing rather than layout tasks. These efficiency gains can shorten project schedules and enable greater deployment of framers, thereby boosting overall productivity.

"Transitioning from AutoCAD details to Revit models in 2015 marked a significant shift for us as a GC involved in concrete and mass timber placement"

In conclusion, although the construction industry has traditionally been slow to embrace new technologies, there's been a notable shift driven by the demand from owners and building operators for comprehensive information. This necessitates integrated model information and precise as-built data, providing stakeholders with not only immediate insights but also valuable information for future tenant improvements.