Advantages of the 3D model in the construction sector

3D models have long been used in the construction industry for commercial purposes. An architectural or public work project without its high definition photos are practically inconceivable. In other sectors such as industrial, the draft is generally less because aesthetics is not so important in principle. And the 3D model is still widely considered to be an awkward imposition by the customer. In fact, the strategy of “we will generate the model at the end” to meet this requirement is not unusual.

With the BIM revolution, the 3D model has become essential and must be updated as soon as possible. The question is not whether to use 3D or not. The question is when to adopt it.

In the construction sector the question is not whether to use a 3D model or not. The important thing is when to adopt it.

We are going to see in this post some of the advantages of adopting the 3D model for all players in the construction sector. These are arguments to be used to convince that these technologies are here to stay and that they are really interesting both technically and economically.

In reality, the owner of the building, infrastructure or construction in general (the “B” for Building in BIM) is the most interested in using the 3D model and to which it brings the most advantages. This is ultimately a digital representation of your building, road, etc., which helps you to have a better, more economical and efficient design initially, design future actions under the same conditions, improve the management of your operation and maintenance.

Advantages of 3D for the design team

We start with the advantages for the design team because they are the ones who usually generate the model itself. Some of the advantages for the rest are derived from or are the same as those indicated for this group.

Elimination of impossible objects

Generating a plane usually consists of going from a three-dimensional model to a two-dimensional representation. If this operation is not done correctly, mistakes can lead to the appearance of impossible objects that could undoubtedly serve as an inspiration. Sometimes it is really difficult to draw the necessary lines and no more, and place the appropriate hidden lines. When working with digital 3D models and the extraction of plans is automatic, these errors disappear directly.

Obviously the problem of dimensions, coordinates, elevations and forgotten views remains. Its lack can make a plan unreadable, just as it happens when the plan is generated from a 2D system.

Consistency guarantee

When the plans that will be used to build are extracted from the model, the consistency of the information represented in them is guaranteed. This implies that all plans are updated if:

• we change the edge of a beam
• we go up a forged
• we move the building
• We trade a yield sign for a stop
• update the thickness of a pipe

In the traditional 2D method, when a modification is made to an element, you have to remember all the places where that element appears to update it in the same way. On many occasions this leads to inconsistency in the documentation due to contradictory information.

Appropriate views, sections and details

Along the same lines as the previous points, with 3D work it is guaranteed that all the views extracted from the model will be correct. The hidden lines will be hidden and the sections will cut whatever they have to cut. Obviously the configuration of the lines has to be adequate to make the plane legible.

Agility in changes

The same guarantee of consistency that we mentioned before implies that the changes are very agile with 3D systems. Traditionally it is said that they have a delayed documentation production curve compared to 2D in the first stages. But when you have to make a change with some complexity, the advantage is clearly on the 3D side because you have the peace of mind that the changes are made everywhere and only in the affected elements.

Ease of interpretation

Interpreting a plane usually consists of going from a set of 2D lines to a three-dimensional model in someone’s head. Whether this last model is correct depends on:

• the quality of the plane
• the skill and experience of the interpreter

Working in 3D, the mental model is generated by copying directly from the digital one as it is viewed, which greatly speeds up the process and makes it directly accessible to everyone. And with much less effort. In fact, when you have been working in 3D for a long time, you realize how difficult it is to interpret a plane.

Coordination tool

On the one hand, the tools allow automatic detection of interferences and solving them is faster than in 2D.

On the other hand, with the ease of interpretation indicated, it is much easier to understand the rest of the disciplines involved than when it is necessary to know how to decode all their planes. This means that coordination meetings take considerably less mental effort.

Review tool

The 3D model is used to review the design both internally and with the client. In the latter case, it can be used to define, specify and modify scopes, concepts or design philosophy. Distributed and properly guarded, it will serve to reflect the agreements adopted in the corresponding meetings.

Intuitive interface

Once any of the model display systems are properly managed, navigating a project is a breeze. And if the 3D model has been provided with enough information, practically all the information of the building/infrastructure can be accessed in a very intuitive way. And the information is a lot if we consider a broad definition of BIM.

It is enough to select an element for it to appear:

• material of a pipe
• HVAC unit user manual
• allowable ground pressure for a foundation
• turbine weight
• cant of a section

Ultimately, it is about giving access to all the information in all BIM databases using the 3D model as a basis for access. This can save the design team a lot of time searching for information.

You can visit my article on the role of Revit 3D modelling in construction for detailed information.

Other advantages

Competitive

Today the sector is in the process of change. More and more 3D models are seen, but not everyone uses them and even fewer do it correctly. Having properly adopted and implemented a 3D modeling services offers a remarkable competitive advantage in a fierce market that has not yet recovered after the last crisis. And if, going a step further, what has been adopted is a BIM philosophy, the competitive advantage is indisputable for everyone (property, design team, construction company, etc).

Having properly adopted and implemented a 3D modeling system offers a remarkable competitive advantage.

Facilitates the generation of presentations

Once we have a 3D model, why not use it to make presentations in the form of high quality photos or videos for commercial use? This has been done for years with other types of software. The difference is that now we already have the model. And it is also a true reflection of what will end up being after construction because the plans with which the construction will be carried out are extracted from it. We can use the result to sell already completed projects or future projects.

Enables dives

If we apply a little more technology, specifically video games, why not immerse yourself in virtual reality? We can visit our house before we build it. Or go down the road. Or learn how to access hazardous areas before going in for maintenance.

Finally, we could also use augmented reality. Today and with the same technology that Pokémon were hunted all over the world, information on a valve can be obtained. And in a short time and with the right tools, such as Microsoft’s HoloLens, an operator will be able to have access to all the information on an electrical panel simply by approaching it. And with both hands free to manipulate it.

Learn more about BIM and the future of Architectural Visualization.

Final Words

We have seen some of the advantages that the use of 3D models has for all players in the construction sector. It seems clear that if we are all interested, his is to get as soon as possible. And that is our recommendation. We do not have to wait for the market to force us, it is already doing it even if we refuse to realize it. You have to start immediately.