The latest of the latest in BIM. Your contribution to 3D printing, Digital twin and VR/AV.

New innovations around BIM are greatly influencing the way construction and design professionals operate. There are three technologies that will revolutionize building information modeling: 3D printing, which like no other innovation in the last five years has caused a major stir as it can significantly reduce the production time of any construction site. The technology is essentially limitless. Start-up companies are building 3D “printed” houses using a 5-ton “printer” that uses models to lay concrete to erect the walls of a new house. NASA has a 3D printer on the International Space Station to manufacture spare parts in case of emergency. From large buildings to small parts, 3D printing speeds up the construction process and reduces errors. Digital twins: with an integrated array of sensors and smart devices, future construction will provide a wealth of data to designers, contractors, and stakeholders. A digital twin uses all the data produced by these instruments to create an accurate digital replica of the structure using real-time information. Accurate models can be created during construction not only to measure the progress of the project but also to create updated site models on demand. Once completed, a digital twin can be used to monitor the building’s HVAC functions or alert building management to dangerous structural changes. Modifications can be incorporated into a digital twin version to test aesthetics, function and stability. Digital twins can also be incorporated into emergency responses, where firefighters may need information about a structure before entering a burning building. Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR): The ability to walk through a seamless simulation of a project to be completed through Virtual Reality will soon become a standard. BIM data entered into a system will project (through glasses now or a Star Trek-style “holodeck” technology) the design for interested parties to examine. Changes can be made, from wall placement to furniture choice, before a beam is placed. Augmented Reality takes that technology and incorporates it into existing structures. When you make changes to a building’s plumbing or wiring system, for example, you can see the changes to walls and ceilings using AR. The technology can also provide you with real-time data and information about specific elements. For example, you can get data on the thermal rating of an installed window through an AR device.