Architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) projects are becoming more ambitious than ever, as their scale and scope grows increasingly complex.
In today’s construction landscape, one of the key challenges with any project is the task of verifying that what’s being built corresponds to designs and plans — and this is becoming increasingly difficult to complete with any level of efficiency.
This is because AEC professionals can often face significant challenges on projects. These include a lack of data to effectively decide and verify designs — which can risk hampering progress — as well as a lack of budget or time for any required design revisions, site visits or surveying services, particularly on more complex projects. These challenges can also be exacerbated by the shortage of skilled personnel in the industry, which is requiring AEC professionals to effectively do more with less.
In many cases, the cost to rectify mistakes during projects can escalate quickly if not managed carefully, particularly given the rising cost of materials at the moment.
The importance of verification
This, therefore, makes access to reliable and transparent information crucial for architects and engineers to be able to do their jobs effectively. They ideally want to be able to regularly verify everything that has been built against a model. However, verifying every component’s position through traditional survey methods, i.e. through using a total station or a tape measure, can be impossible — especially on a large, complex construction project with millions of individual elements.
This is why only 5–10% of the work completed on most large construction projects actually gets validated against its plan, according to Naska.AI. And because the use of traditional verification methods is still prevalent across the industry, it would take hundreds — or even thousands — of people to collect the data for verification in a reasonable timeframe.
But construction projects that only verify a small percentage of the work completed are a lot more likely to run into discrepancy issues. This can then have significant consequences in an industry where profit margins are rarely above 5%.
This has subsequently led to a tremendous amount of pressure falling on AEC professionals to adopt new tools, technologies and processes to make verification more cost-effective and efficient.
Construction verification is all about being able to recognize and identify the differences between what has been built in the real world versus what was designed or planned. The simple ability to do it efficiently and accurately can dramatically reduce the risks inherent to construction projects.
And this isn’t only an important element of new projects. AEC professionals are often employed to work on sites where construction — either on a new project or renovation project — has already begun. In cases like these, there can be several plans and documents to compare, created in a variety of different formats. Some might be incredibly detailed 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) visualizations, while others might be much less detailed 2D blueprints.
For effective verification, AEC professionals need easy access to all the plans and up-to-date data from project sites, on platforms that allow for collaboration and integration from different sources. This means breaking down silos and ensuring everyone involved speaks a common language. Only then can data be used by all involved in the project — from architects and engineers through to all the various subcontractors.
Using mobile laser scanners for data capture
When it comes to the physical act of collecting data from construction projects, the most advanced dynamic mapping systems can enable AEC professionals to conduct reality capture of sites easily and with high accuracy, regardless of how complex the terrain or structure is.
Tools equipped with Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) technology can now scan complex indoor and outdoor environments and generate survey-grade quality point clouds at unprecedented speed. In addition, 360-degree photos captured during the scanning process can significantly aid the visual verification process. This means the data collection required for continuous verification is performed in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
Once mapping is completed and data processed, comparing data sets collected at different points in time enables AEC professionals to retrace the development of a project. Using the accurate data, AEC professionals can then easily double-check measures from the site or measure elements without need to visit the site itself. After aligning the point cloud with the BIM model, deviation analyses can be conducted to compare the planned design (as-planned) with the actual construction (as-built). Additionally, 360-degree photos can be used to help understand the details of any discrepancies.
This means standard deviation analysis between the BIM model and what has been built can begin instantly — continuously ensuring construction work is free from error, eliminating the need for expensive and time-consuming reworks
Future proofing the industry
Verification is an essential part of the construction process. With highly accurate point clouds that easily integrate into standard workflows, e.g. BIM as planned and as built, teams can effortlessly compare the physical state of construction work to the project’s plans.
As these processes become progressively optimized, advanced verification will open the door for higher levels of knowledge sharing, not just between the professionals working on a particular site but also across projects with various stakeholders. AEC professionals can carry over learnings from past projects and use them to address new instances of old problems.
Ultimately, the construction of most large projects is heavily reliant on the knowledge and experiences of a dwindling number of AEC professionals.
By leveraging the latest technologies and innovations alongside BIM, AEC professionals can unlock the power of BIM to tackle even the most challenging projects and ensure everything runs on time, within budget and with as few issues as possible.