GRAPHISOFT > Case Studies > IoT Implementation in Construction: A Case Study of Faith Lutheran College Secondary School

IoT Implementation in Construction: A Case Study of Faith Lutheran College Secondary School

Technology Category

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Middleware, SDKs & Libraries
Sensors - Electrical Conductivity Sensors

Applicable Industries

Buildings
Cement

Applicable Functions

Procurement
Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Building Automation & Control
Construction Management

Services

Training

About The Customer

The customer in this case study is the Faith Lutheran College Secondary School, located in the suburb of Plainland, Queensland, Australia. The school was in the process of constructing a new library building and engaged Fulton Trotter Architects (FTA) as managing architects for the project. The school was interested in using Building Information Modelling (BIM) for the construction of the library building. The school's aim was to have a smoother process for the design team, better documents for tendering and construction purposes, and ultimately a more cost-efficient building. The school was also interested in using the project as a pilot for BIM collaboration with a full consultant team.

The Challenge

The Faith Lutheran College Secondary School, located in the suburb of Plainland, Queensland, Australia, was in the process of constructing a new library building. The project, worth $1.5M(Aust), was a single storey steel framed building. Fulton Trotter Architects (FTA) were engaged as managing architects to design, document, and administer the contract during the construction. The project was chosen as a pilot for Building Information Modelling (BIM) collaboration with a full consultant team consisting of a Land Surveyor, Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Hydraulic Consultant, Mechanical Engineer, and Electrical Engineer. The challenge was to trial the capabilities of FTA and the consultant team to create a fully coordinated BIM. The intention of documenting in this 3D format was to resolve details and coordinate structure and services, with the aim of reducing clashes on site and time and money spent in coming up with alternative solutions to problems that could have been prevented in the design phase.

The Solution

FTA led initial discussions with the consultant team members to understand what BIM tools would be used by each team member and agreements on expected output from each consultant. FTA created a Sketch Design model in Archicad. BIMx feature of Archicad was used extensively to illustrate early scheme to consultant team, as well as client and authorities to get initial feedback on progression of the building design. The consultant team communicated between each other using IFC format except for the Land Surveyor that could only produce a 3D DWG file. FTA was able to use Archicad to convert their files into Library Parts. Due to Archicad’s ability to communicate in IFC format FTA was able to insert each individual Consultant’s model as a module into the Architectural Model. The structural engineer’s IFC model was crucial in the process and various iterations of the steel framed structure were tested, to ultimately come up with a framework that suited the architectural form and the services running through the building.

Operational Impact

The use of BIM technology and the collaboration between the consultant team and FTA resulted in a smoother design process and better documents for tendering and construction purposes. The ability to turn each consultant’s module on and off and review each model in conjunction with the architectural was also a valuable tool in training junior staff and assisting in their understanding of construction language and processes. FTA was able to use BIMx with a complete model with all structure and services to undertake checks on site that the contractor is constructing the project in accordance with the model and the documentation. This also proved helpful in reviewing shop drawings, assisting with queries from the builder on site, and illustrating design intent to the builder through snapshots of the model and BIMx file.

Quantitative Benefit

Reduced time and money spent on resolving clashes on site and coming up with alternative solutions to problems that could have been prevented in the design phase.
Improved efficiency in the design and construction process.
Cost savings due to the use of BIM technology.