RESEARCHERS in the United Kingdom are spearheading a revolution that could save the construction industry millions of  pounds. 

They are doing this by developing their own software tools that harness the power of computer games technology to give planners and builders the ability to rehearse different phases of a major construction project over and over again on a PC screen before building work begins. This can range from putting in the foundations to installing pipework and electrical equipment.

The team behind the software project at the University of  Teesside in Middlesbrough (north-east England) has already rehearsed the build process on several major construction projects. These include a new bridge over a London Underground line at White City (West London) and at a new gas-receiving facility at Hull, northern England.

Professor Nashwan Dawood  is the director of the University’s Centre for Construction Innovation and Research. He said: “The software tool can help everyone involved in a major project to go into minute details of construction activities  and look for the most efficient way of  tackling a contract.  This is particularly important when lots of different trades are working on a  multi-million-pound project in a tight location and where delays can cost big money.”

Virtual reality technology
Professor Dawood is now perfecting the computerised virtual construction (Vircon) site instrument with the help of academic colleagues. He is also using the virtual reality technology to assist HBG, the company building Teesside University’s new 12 million pounds sterling Institute of Digital Innovation (IDI) in Middlesbrough.
HBG’s project coordinator, Robert Cranmer, said:  “The IDI is a good site to choose because the building is being constructed in a very tight defined space.  We have used this software tool from the early stages  to rehearse the project  and make changes to our plans to overcome any unforeseen problems with the construction sequences.”

Professor Dawood added:  “In the past, if there was a delay or problem, the industry just threw people at it. It’s far better to reconfigure your  plans and see if there is a better way of doing things.  Our tool allows them to do on a computer screen in 3D with a real-time element built in.”

The next step is to see if the technology can be used to help cash-flow forecasts  and to make the software more interactive and user-friendly.

“This is a great example of a university developing its knowledge to the benefit of industry,” said Professor Dawood. We couldn’t have done it without F+G  (the international project management and construction consultancy formerly called Faithful & Gould). You really need the support of an influential company to do something like this.”

(Further details from:  Nic Mitchell, Press & Public Relations Manager, University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, UK, TS1 3BA.  E-mail:  pr@tees.ac.uk)