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SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN

BACHELOR OF QUANTITY SURVEYING (HONOURS)

QSB2813 – Software Application

Software Application for Quantity Surveying

AUG Semester 2014

Submission Date: 14th October 2013

Name Student ID

Yam Yih Hwan 0305861

Low Rong Tzuoo 0304924

Ng Jun Keat 0314368

Dixon Cheong 0310356

Adrian Ng Kar Chun 0314516

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Nomitech is a leading niche software company specializing in Cost Estimating solutions. Their

founders are engineers with real life industry experience and they deliver practical, innovative,

state of the art cost estimating software which is rapidly becoming the future standard for

estimating.

Our Cost Estimating solution, CostOS is specifically designed for companies that want to

increase their competitiveness by responding to modern estimating challenges more quickly,

with less effort, more accuracy, less risk, and with an increased level of confidence.

They recognize that the cost estimating process is at the core of every project related company.

CostOS is a mission critical system which allows you to value engineer and differentiate your

solution whilst meeting your clients’ requirements. It allows you to win more work.

At Nomitech, they are passionate about success, and they measure their success by the success of

their clients. They work closely with each of their customers to build mutual trust and ensure

that the clients get the most from their capabilities and maximum value from their

investment with them.

Their client base is rapidly increasing by word of mouth as a result of their reputation. They have

also gained the respect of large software organizations like Oracle, who recommend CostOS as

their preferred partner solution for Construction, EPC and Oil & Gas clients, on a global scale.

They continually invest in new ideas, technologies and approaches to estimating, in order to

address the challenges of the industries they serve.

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Function / Advantages:

CostOS’ powerful parametric engine, if combined with BIM, enables the quick and accurate

pricing of ‘less than fully-detailed’ BIM models. Moreover, it allows design optimisation and

quick identification of most appropriate materials and construction methods. Intelligent,

parameter-driven assemblies can be built and applied to BIM elements. With CostOS BIM

technology, it really is a case of ‘what you see is what you estimate’. As model elements are

selected and measured, CostOS ensures that no item is missed. CostOS has take-off

capabilities to suit every occasion. Costs also has a unique function take-off capability.

Functions can calculate additional information from simple measurements. This can be from

2D geometrical shapes, 3D geometrical shapes or indeed structural members. For example,

by measuring the length of a steel section, mathematical equations can calculate the weight and

the surface area. Or say the volume of a sphere together with its surface area.

CostOS BIM Estimating makes full use of all the benefits you can get by using the 3D model of

your project. Its embedded 3D viewer allows you to navigate easily through it and autoselect

entities. The quantity takeoff of your project (Architectural, Structural, Mechanical, and HVAC,

Electrical etc.) can be massively accelerated and the accuracy you can achieve is

unprecedented. You can also create your Bill of Quantities directly on your 3D model and

see how it is built up while your estimate progresses. CostOS works with open standards and thus

it supports all major designing systems. You do not have to buy any of these systems, unless you

want to make the designer’s work, as CostOS will provide you with the visualization of the

model. CostOS’s system recognition allows you to work on mechanical models

with unbeatable accuracy and speed. More importantly while working directly on the 3D model

you can identify omissions or mistakes of the design and amend your estimate accordingly.

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Glodon Software Company Limited was found in China Beijing 1998 year. It is the leader of the

information industry in Chinese construction field. Glodon Software offers the construction

project field most valuable information products and professional services to promote the

development of information in the construction industry. Glodon owns independent

intellectual property rights on its main products and technologies, and establishes an effective

research and development management system.

Now, Glodon has more than 20 core technologies, over 100 pieces of software copyright, and 9

patents. Glodon 3D graphics technology, BIM solution, cloud computing technology, and

management platform are very advanced. Besides that, Glodon employs more than 3000

employees, with the number of corporate users exceeding 100,000, of which there are nearly

400,000 direct users of cost series products, accounting for 53% of China's domestic market.

Glodon products have been applied in-depth in many remarkable construction projects, like the

Bird's Nest, China National Grand Theatre, Shanghai Disney, Shanghai Tower and Guangzhou

East Tower, winning very high praise from the clients.

There are three products that under Glodon Software Company which are Glodon Takeoff for

Rebar (TRB), Glodon Takeoff for Mechanical and Electrical (TME), and Glodon Takeoff

for Architecture and Structure (TAS).

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Glodon Takeoff for Rebar (TRB)

Glodon Takeoff for Rebar, also known as TRB, is a suite of quantity calculation software

based on the Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology, which is embedded with

groundbreaking 3-dimensional measurement and calculation rules, including British

Standards and Uniform Building By-Law. TRB enables the users to perform quantity taking-off

from electronic drawings and images with immediate 3D visualization effect and shows

accurate results for each component in real time. There shall be less data and formulae input by

the user are needed in calculation of the quantity. Thus, the accuracy level of the result is higher

with minimal undesirable careless mistakes.

Now available for: Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand and

India.

Features and Key Functions

BIM-base measurement software

Built-in calculation setting based on British Standards and Uniform Building Bye-Law

Interchangeable calculation mode between Tendering Mode and Prefabrication Mode to

address different requirements

Import 3D model from TAS to calculate rebar quantities

Produce 3D model from by identifying CAD entities

User-friendly interface

Produce Rebar Schedule for fabricator on site

Calculation result with detail breakdown

Various reporting format

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Glodon Takeoff for Mechanical and Electrical (TME)

Glodon Takeoff for Mechanical and Electrical known as TME, it provides multiple quantity

surveying modes such as quantity surveying by importing CAD drawing, quantity surveying

by drawing input, quantity surveying by single element input and quantity surveying by table

input, as well as applies such functions and methods as 3D computing technology, quick

processing of quantity change, automatic circuit identification for wire conduits, automatic

searching of start point for cable bridges and automatic identification of wind pipes to

thoroughly address complicated manual statistics, difficult auditing, low efficiency and other

problems cost personnel face in tendering and bidding, in process quantity calculation and

quantity check in settlement.

Now Available for: Singapore and Malaysia.

Features and Key Functions

The number, length and area are easy to calculate and read

The number of devices can be easy to read, and all devices of the same specifications will

be generated simply by clicking a button

Accessories can be identified by multiple logos, and different elements can be

intelligently differentiated

Complicated pipelines can be calculated quickly and efficiently, and simply clicking a

button will generate all pipelines of the same model

Area identification enables modeling range to be controlled and adjusted

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Glodon Takeoff for Architecture and Structure (TAS)

Glodon Takeoff for Architecture and Structure known as TAS, it is embedded with

Commonwealth of England calculation rules, enabling users to quickly build a 3D time-cost

model. There are a series of processing method and function such as: 3D modeling, processing

change, estimating rebar content, addressing quantity survey, quantity calculation involved

in tendering and bidding and element quantity calculation in the settlement stage. It is simple,

helpful and accurate quantity calculation software.

Now available for: Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, India,

UK and Philippines.

Features and Key Functions

Open functions, easy to operate

Open elevation, which enables easy processing of buildings with complex structures

such as staggered floor, mezzanine floor and skipped floor

Open location, which enables manual tracing, fast location, and convenient modeling

Open rules, which enable adjustments of calculation rules and special options of

calculation settings based on actual projects to meet all quantity surveying requirements

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Innovaya applications are meant to support team work from design to construction. The

software benefits can be fully realized when it's used in a team, whether virtually or in the same

company. With this goal in mind, our technologies are developed with two principles which is the

project data must be shared and exchanged by all of our applications. Little altering of design

data or reentering should be needed. We intend to offer various applications with features that suit

for different needs and different user types or companies. Whether you are a design firm, a

contractor, a design-build, or an owner organization, you will find Innovaya applications useful

for your AEC projects. For example, the users who find Innovaya software beneficial include are

BIM designers, engineers, and 3D modelers, Project Coordinators, Project and Construction

Managers or subcontractors Estimators and cost database experts, Schedulers and Owners.

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Innovaya Visual BIM

Interactive 3D Visualization

With the robust 3D functions, users of Visual BIM can enjoy the best performance for 3D

building model navigation. Easy-to-use 3D user interface controls enable the user to do real-time

walk-through and to examine object details. The 3D objects are interactive and selectable.

Features such as tracking camera positions dynamically and virtual tours are also useful for

making highly impressive project presentations for clients.

Dynamic Visibility Controls for 3D Objects

A building information model (BIM) in 3D representation is essentially an enclosed structure.

This makes it difficult to view the details of all of the objects in a model. However, Innovaya

Visual BIM organizes the objects by their building sections as well as component types. Then the

visibility and transparency of these objects can be adjusted easily using visibility controls.

Therefore, object details can be examined thoroughly in 3D view. Visual BIM is a true BIM-

based application. It not only presents detailed geometry of 3D objects, but also shows the

detailed properties of every object.

Support for Effective Team Communication

Innovaya Visual BIM offers essential functions to assist communication among the project

members. With tools such as Markup and E-mailing, Visual BIM users can enter comments

directly onto a snapshot of the 3D design and send it via e-mail to project members. The powerful,

easy-to-use 3D navigation features are also useful for presenting design-estimating coordination

issues to the project team.

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Innovaya Visual Quantity Takeoff (QTO)

Automatic Quantity Generation

Visual Quantity Takeoff can automatically generate complete object quantities directly from a

design model. This process usually takes several seconds to complete for the entire building

model, while the same job could take several days using traditional on-screen takeoff or digitizer

methods. The quantities are extracted based on object types and their dimensions. Quantity

extraction methods are easily customized and are reusable for multiple projects. Additionally, the

quantities are all stored by group of objects based on the object property conditions set by the

user.

Drag & Drop Quantity Generation

With Visual Quantity Takeoff, the user can also choose the Drag & Drop Quantity generation

method to takeoff object quantities. With this approach, the user can select any building section

(such as a building level), view the objects in 3D, and drag and drop it into the quantity

generation window. They can use the same drag & drop method to choose a component type,

such as walls, to takeoff the quantities of a selected building section. During this process, the user

can also define the most appropriate way to group objects and calculate total quantities. The drag

& drop quantity generation process can usually improve the productivity of quantity takeoff by at

least 300%.

Managed Object Quantities

The quantities generated are stored in a manageable manner in Visual Quantity Takeoff. For

example, they are organized by user defined folders, which can be in different classifications such

as CSI or Uniformat. The quantities can also be sorted by building sections or component types.

When generated, the quantities are automatically linked with the objects which can be tracked

and viewed in 3D at any point. This ‘what-you-see-is-what-you-takeoff’ theme provides visual

confirmation on objects’ quantity takeoff status using different color codes, and it assures the

completeness of the project quantities taken-off. Each managed quantity group can be assigned a

unique color code for its 3D objects for easy tracking and identifying objects associated with the

quantities. Furthermore, the quantities can be saved in a separate file which can be opened in

Innovaya Visual Estimating for Sage Timberline Assembly and Item takeoffs.

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Intelligent Change Management

Because the quantities generated are automatically associated with the objects, Visual Quantity

Takeoff can be used effectively for change management. For example, if the design has been

changed, Visual Quantification can display changed, new, and deleted objects in different colors

in 3D. There is also a function that allows you to validate the quantities generated previously

against the new design, and then automatically update those quantities.

Quantity Reports to MS Excel

With one-click of mouse button, all of the objects quantities can be exported as reports in MS

Excel. There is no limitation on how many quantity columns can be generated as in some on-

screen programs. The quantities in the reports can also be sorted by user defined folders, building

sections, or component types. Additionally, all object quantity color codes are shown in the MS

Excel spreadsheet against each quantity group. Along with a snapshot of the color-coded 3D

object view pasted into MS Excel, these color codes help identify, visually and clearly, what

objects are used to generate the quantities. Interactive 3D Visualization With our robust true 3D

engine, users of Visual Quantity Takeoff (QTO) can enjoy the best performance of 3D building

model navigation. Easy-to-use 3D user interface controls allow estimators to do real-time walk-

through and to examine object details. The 3D objects are highly interactive and selectable.

Object visibility and transparency can be adjusted by building section or component type. All

object properties can be examined. Special object information such as wall layers can also be

inspected.

Support for Effective Team Communication

Visual Quantity Takeoff not only integrates design and cost estimating, it also offers essential

functions to assist communication between the project members. With tools such as Markup and

E-mailing, Visual Quantity Takeoff allows the user to enter highlighted comments directly onto a

snapshot of the 3D design and send it as a picture, via e-mail, to project members. The powerful

easy-to-use 3D navigation features are also useful for presenting design-estimating coordination

issues in front of the project team.

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Innovaya Visual 4D Stimulation

Your Vision Shared

Visual 4D Simulation provides an excellent way to present a progressive project vision. By

dynamically showing project phases and site logistics in a 3D virtual reality environment, clients

are impressed and the entire project team works synergistically. Schedulers, project managers,

superintendents, designers, engineers, estimators and even clients, can expect a shared

understanding of project status, milestones, responsibilities, and construction plans. Everyone is

sure to be on the same page at any time with the 4D representation of the project in conjunction

with traditional schedule GANTT charts.

Improved Project Coordination

With Visual 4D Simulation's ability to link any 3D design data in DWG with either MS Project or

Primavera scheduling tasks and to show projects in 4D, designers, builders and owners can easily

see how projects are built. This helps everyone to understand the schedule quickly and thoroughly.

By visualizing how objects in 3D and how they're installed in sequence, many design conflicts

can be quickly identified. Team based decisions can be made quickly and comfortably with

Visual Simulation by being able to see the results of seamlessly incorporated design or schedule

changes, and this process would avoid many physical mock-ups. Showing and communicating 4D

in resource color codes to subcontractors also help logistical planning and trade coordination,

therefore avoiding disruptions during construction.

Optimized Construction Sequencing

By visualizing color-coded tasks or resources on objects, and their connections to objects,

schedulers can cross-check tasks against design objects. For instance, an object liked with two

tasks on the same day shown in a specific color might hint at a potential schedule problem, while

an unlinked object could indicate a missing task in the schedule. These features help schedulers

create accurate schedules. Similarly, showing that no tasks are assigned on a certain date on some

objects may present potential readiness of a work space, which could allow subsequent tasks to

start earlier, resulting in tighter construction sequencing and project time savings.

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What-if Analysis and Change Management

A change on a task can cause ripple effect changes on other tasks. Visual 4D Simulation's On-

demand 4D feature immediately visualizes the impact of these changes to the objects so that

different construction scenarios can be analyzed, presented, and discussed allowing the best

decision to be made based on different project member perspectives. Visual Simulation can also

seamlessly synchronize changes made on either the schedule or on 4D tasks. Changes made to

design objects also often cause schedule changes and resource re-assignments. Visual Simulation

reflects these object and schedule changes in 3D and 4D which allows the project team to address

issues and adjust construction plans accordingly.

Analyzing Constructability and Improved Safety

By showing the building model in 3D at any hierarchical or any system component level and

presenting the detailed sequences of objects to be installed, Visual Simulation's 4D views clearly

expose the objects' structural and special constraints. Construction safety can be improved by

using 4D views. Hazards can be anticipated by visualizing and analyzing the constraints against

object installation requirements and to see the entire construction site situations. The best

construction methods can be selected based on a better understanding of these project

constructability issues.

Powerful Functions Yet Easy to Use

With the robust 3D engine, users of Visual Simulation can enjoy the best 3D navigation

performance. Easy-to-use 3D user interface controls provide capabilities of real-time walk-

through and examination of object details. Objects linked with tasks can be viewed in 3D by

clicking on the tasks, while tasks associated with objects are also listed when the objects are

selected. 4D simulations can be created and viewed in different modes, either with objects

original colors, or with task or resource color codes. 4D behaviors are automatically adjusted

according to the construction type of the objects such as new objects, temporary facilities, e.g.

trailers, temporary parking, and construction equipment, or existing objects to be removed such as

ground excavation, and so on. The association between objects and tasks can be established easily,

quickly, and visually.

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Vico Office is the first purpose-built construction software that allows users to plug in the BIM

authoring application of their choice and then perform a constructability analysis, quantity

takeoff, a model-based schedule, model-based estimate, and on-site production control, all in

an integrated workflow. This integrated workflow is unique in the commercial construction

market. With Vico Office, you have a live model - a model where the 3D geometry is integrated

with the quantities which is integrated with the 4D schedule which is integrated with the 5D

estimate. This means that when one element of the 3D model changes (let's say the building gets

a new floor or a new material is chosen for the lobby floor), both the schedule and estimate

automatically change. The 5D BIM Workflow starts at the creation of a new project and ends

with reporting and data mining.

When firms start gearing up for a new project, they add 2D drawings and 3D models to the

Document Registry for version control and change management. Models can then be published

to Vico Office from ArchiCAD, Tekla, Revit, AutoCAD Architecture, and/or AutoCAD

MEP. Or, using special CAD-specific Importers, IFC files, SketchUp files, CAD-Duct files,

and even 3D DWG files can be used in Vico Office.

Through Vico Office Document Controller we can quickly recognize changes between

drawing sets and model versions. Honing in the changes with slider and highlight modes, we

can cloud and annotate issues, and even start a cross-team discussion or report upon the items in

question. After the BIM models are completed, we publish, augment, and compare 3D models

from multiple project stakeholders all within the Vico Office Client. These models can be

combined in Vico Office. Then we detect any constructability matters in Vico Office

Constructability Manager and report these matters to the design team for resolution.

Now, the coordinated models can once again be compared to the 2D contract documents in Vico

Office Document Controller as a final accuracy check before prefabrication and installation

drawings are generated. Now Project Engineers can identify critical points for sleeves, deck

elevations, key framing locations, hangers and bracings, pipe runs, slab edges, etc. and map

them in Vico Office Layout Manager. They don't need the original BIM, just the latest version

of the model inside Vico Office. As soon as we’ve identified the coordination issues, we

use Vico Office Takeoff Manager to generate construction-caliber quantities.

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Now with the quantities, estimators use Vico Office Cost Planner to create multiple iterations of

the 5D estimate as the models’ level of detail increases. With the estimate in place, we track the

project budget in Vico Office Cost Explorer, helping the Owner recognize which decisions have

the most impact on the budget and schedule. Planners also take advantage of these quantities and

start evaluating the project and creating the optimal combination of location systems for the

trades in Vico Office LBS Manager.

By organizing the project locations, an optimal sequencing logic can be applied with Vico Office

Schedule Planner, the model-based scheduling solution which utilizes flow line theory as

opposed to traditional CPM. These options can then be analyzed in terms of both cost and

time. And the Vico Office 4D Manager Schedule presentation helps the GC and subs work

together to evaluate what-if scenarios and determine the best solution.

Finally, as the project moves from headquarters out to the field, the team utilizes Vico Office

Production Controller to monitor and adjust crews as necessary. With real-time inputs for

actual crew productivity rates, the team has enough warning to avoid trade conflicts and

cascading delays. Comprehensive construction management reporting is organized in the Vico

Office Client. Since Vico Office is a database of projects, all fields and their values can be

accessed with reporting.

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Bentley ConstructSim is a powerful virtual construction simulation system for detailed and

automated workface planning on large projects. ConstructSim provides construction

management the visibility needed to rapidly and effectively respond to project issues to

increase productivity, drive down costs and reduce project cycle time, while providing

improved risk mitigation and team safety.

Bentley ConstructSim is a revolutionary program that optimizes your project through the

planning, sequencing, execution and monitoring of construction activities from within a

virtual plant model. ConstructSim links together project IT systems including: the 3D CAD

model (all major formats: PDS, PDMS, etc.); schedule; materials management system; project

controls databases and others to create an integrated virtual environment that is constantly up-to-

date.

This integrated virtual environment enables the following functionality within ConstructSim:

Virtual Walk Through

4D (3D + time) Schedule Simulations

Automated Construction Material Take-Offs

Automated Detail Task List Generation

Life Cycle Status Tracking (color coding material availability and progress by area,

system, spool/sheet, piece mark, task, etc.)

Pipe and Steel Work Packaging at Weekly Crew Level

Generic Work Packs for Other Disciplines (E&I, Civil, Mechanical) that take

advantage of the database more than the virtual plant model

Pipe and Steel Change Order Impact Analysis

Tracking of the Design Changes Back to the Model

8-Week Look Ahead Planner/Constraint Analysis and Crew Planning

Crane and Scaffold Simulation/Crew Density Analysis

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The implementation of ConstructSim on your project will improve productivity by providing the

following benefits:

Improved constructability analysis, interactive planning and coordination between

engineering office and site field office using Virtual Plant Model

Visually plan more optimal pipe installation and hydro test work crew packages

Streamline material, equipment and sequencing

Reduce rework/out-of sequence work

Automated task estimates/automate data entry

Speed time to start-up by systems tracking

Better predictability of where you are on the project

Reduce time looking for information via visually monitoring the status of engineering,

materials and construction execution progress

Improves Project Management

In ConstructSim, project teams can visualize and interact with a virtual construction model

(VCM), visually organizing engineering components into construction work areas (CWAs),

construction work packages (CWPs), and installation work packages (IWPs). This allows a

more optimal and granular work breakdown structure to drive engineering, procurement, and

fabrication based on the sequencing needs of field installation. Visually defining CWAs and

CWPs provides an unprecedented level of management control over construction planning.

Construction managers can more easily and accurately plan work priorities and installation

sequences.

Quantity Tracking

ConstructSim represents the future of model-based quantity tracking and earned value

reporting. Templates can be used to assign milestones with labor estimates onto construction

quantities and then generate a database of Level 5 work steps for planning and measuring

progress. Publishing of progress scorecards, material lists, reports, and other documentation into

IWPs for the crews can be automated.

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Construction Status Tracking

Users can mark and track individual model component or groups to see a color-coded 3D

image representing construction status. This allows progress to be tracked in near real-time,

providing a clear overview of complex projects.

Construction Schedule Animation

Automatic linking of components and user-defined groups with the schedule provides flexible

4D schedule visualization. With a clear understanding of the construction path, supervisors can

maximize safety while meeting schedule requirements. Users can also report estimated and

earned hours and quantities for measuring progress of the Level 3 schedule via a model-

based 5D cost analysis. Data can be uploaded from subcontractors to monitor and coordinate

interdependent activities, moving to an X-D construction simulation environment.

Materials Management

Improved scheduling is based upon materials currently on-site and estimated arrival dates

received from procurement in the materials system. Users prioritize material feasibility analysis

from the detailed sequence of IWPs and eliminate cumbersome data entry through automated

material reservation requests. Integration with RFID and bar coding systems adds to the ability to

optimize on-site material management.

Proactive Management

ConstructSim improves the acquisition of information from the field before finalizing plans. It

provides a visual representation of available work and materials, and then manages the

resource constraints against each work package. ConstructSim dynamic ability to track,

update, and edit work packages based on constraints helps ensure packages are released to the

field only when management knows the IWPs can be completed, reducing rework and

minimizing out-of-sequence work.

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Software

Features

CostOS Glodon Innovaya Vicosoft Bentley

Construction

Management

report

- - - √ √

4D BIM for

Scheduling

- - - √ √

Materials

Management

- - - - √

Quantity

Takeoff

√ - √ √ √

Connection to

other software

√ √ √ - -

Equipment

Depreciation

Estimating

√ - - - -

Cost Statistics

√ - √ - √

2D & 3D BIM

Modeling

√ √ √ - √

4D & 5D

Estimating

- - √ √ √

5D Modeling - - √ - -

Online Database

Resource

√ - - - -

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The best BIM software does not necessarily mean having the most features but also having the

appropriate features for your job, in this case quantity surveying. Therefore, I would recommend

Nomitech’s CostOS. This is so, because the founders are engineers which mean they have many

years of real life industry experience. They deliver practical, innovative, state of the art cost

estimating software which is rapidly becoming the future standard for estimating. CostOS can

help increase their competitiveness by responding to modern estimating challenges more

quickly, with less effort, more accuracy, less risk, and with an increased level of confidence.

It can help win more work by allowing you to value engineer and differentiate your solution

whilst meeting your clients’ requirements. They work closely with each of their customers to

build mutual trust and ensure that the clients get the most from their capabilities and maximum

value from their investment with them. Their client base is rapidly increasing by word of mouth

as a result of their reputation. They have also gained the respect of large software organizations

like Oracle, who recommend CostOS as their preferred partner solution for Construction, EPC

and Oil & Gas clients, on a global scale. They continually invest in new ideas, technologies and

approaches to estimating, in order to address the challenges of the industries they serve. The

implementation of CostOS on your project will improve productivity by providing the following

benefits:

enables the quick and accurate pricing of ‘less than fully-detailed’ BIM models

allows design optimization and quick identification of most appropriate materials and

construction methods

‘what you see is what you estimate’, CostOS ensures that no item is missed

Allows you to measure in 2D shapes, 3D shapes or structural members

Quantity takeoff can be massively accelerated and the accuracy you can achieve is

unprecedented.

create your Bill of Quantities directly on your 3D model

provide you with the visualization of the model

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Preparation / Briefing Stage

Preparation and Briefing Stage is the process for completing the design and construction of a

building is often divided into stages. This can be helpful in establishing milestones for the

submission of progress reports, the preparation of information for approval, client gateways,

and for making payments. However there is a great deal of ambiguity between the naming of

stages by different organizations and the definition of what individual stages actually and so it is

important that appointment documents make it clear specifically what activities fall within which

stage, and what level of detail is required. During this stage, the marketing and selling of BIM is

done supported by cost analysis to justify the upfront investment or profit. Some firm may

provide services of BIM without selling the software to the client.

Benefits Constraints

Better outcomes through

collaboration

All project partners such as different design

disciplines, the customer, contractor, specialists

and supplier are using a single and shared 3D

model. This means that every one of the

partners is focused on achieving best value,

from project inception to eventual

decommissioning.

Inflexibility in construction costs

Implementation of BIM QS computer software

on construction projects may present an idea on

the total expected construction cost, but it

might not be accurate. BIM allows the users,

client and operators to estimate the most

accurate building cost-to-complete, but it will

not consider the actual price variation from the

emerging market, such as metals, petroleum-

derivative products, high gas prices, and

other natural disasters affecting manufacturer’s

plant.

Improved visualization

Projects can be visualized as of this stage,

giving users, clients and operators a rough idea

of design intended.

Cost of software

The cost to obtain any BIM QS computer

software is very expensive. It is very common

that newly built companies do not have enough

capital or money to buy this software to help

ease their work.

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Design Stage

Schematic Design

The first step by the design team is referred to as the schematic design phase, in which the

objective is the development of simple diagrammatic documents delineating room sizes and

relationships, single line diagrams of all systems (i.e. water mains, electrical risers, etc.),

preliminary elevation studies of the building exterior. The schematic design will be reviewed

during frequent meetings with the building committee and FP&C. At the conclusion of this

design phase, the architect will submit drawings, a project narrative and an estimate of

construction cost for review and approval by the building committee and appropriate college

representatives.

Design Development

The approved schematic design is then further developed into definitive plans and elevations

by the design team. Colors, patterns, materials, lighting fixtures and special equipment and

building elements are selected and reviewed with the building committee. Detailed floor plans,

sections, elevations and an outline specification defining materials, finishes and systems, as well

as an updated construction cost estimate, are submitted for review and approval by the building

committee and appropriate college representatives.

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Benefits of using BIM in Design Stage:

Until the mid-nineteenth century, the general method of design did not change a lot. Engineers

used simple tools (such as pen, paper and ruler) to describe their buildings. However, with

advances in mathematics and building materials, the process of design changed and improved

rapidly.

With the invention of the computer, 2D CAD as a new drawing tool was adopted completely in

the AEC industry. SKETCHPAD was first developed by Ivan Sutherland. That was the root of

CAD. At the beginning, the technology of CAD was not as popular as in modern times. However,

with the popularization of personal computers, the renowned software company Autodesk

developed AutoCAD. Suddenly, all the architects in the world started to learn and use this type

of software to design their project. The technology development form 2D CAD to 4D

simulation greatly improved the design process. Internet technology and emerging media (such

as videoconferencing) also strongly influence the development of design tools and literature in

those fields was reviewed as part of this research. 2D CAD developed into 3D modeling. This

innovation changed the process of building design and the relationship between the structural

engineer and the architectural designer. It did not only change the way building designs are

visualized, but also signaled a paradigm shift in design thinking from pure visualization to

simulation.

BIM not only improves the technology itself, also changes the process of design and build.

From the questionnaire results, all BIM users choose this option as the main benefit of using BIM.

BIM enables better decisions-making; faster BIM reduces the abstraction and integrates the

multiple disciplines, including design and documentation. And BIM integrates plans, sections,

details, graphics, and data in ways not possible in 2D. The period which is spent on the design

can be cut by about half at half the cost. Moreover, half time at half cost will not just save the

money; it is also reducing the time to the market. Therefore, using BIM can save the cost of

design and can benefit from earlier access to the construction market.

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Pre-construction Stage

The construction planning involves the scheduling and sequencing of the model to coordinate

virtual construction in time and space. The schedule of the anticipated construction progress can

be integrated to a virtual construction. There are two common scheduling methods that can be

used to create 4D Building Information Model. These are critical path method (CPM) and line

of balance. In the Critical Path Method, each activity is listed, linked to another activity, and

assigned durations. Interdependency of an activity is added as either predecessors or successors to

another activity. Moreover, the duration of the activities are entered. Based on the dependency

and duration of the activities, the longest path is defined as the most critical path. The activities

defined in the longest path are defined as the critical activities. These activities do not have any

float. In other words, if these activities are not completed within anticipated duration, the total

duration of the project will be further pushed out. Overall CPM is a commonly used technique

that helps projects stay within schedule. Line of Balance technique uses location as the basis for

scheduling. This method is an alternate to the CPM. It is advantageous for repetitive tasks to

increase labour productivity. In this method, activity durations are based on the available crew

size and the sequence of the location. Productivity of the labour force can be altered as needed to

accurately depict the construction schedule. The approach focuses on the locations being

completed by a trade before the other trade moves in. This reduces the number of 19mobilizations

and resources. Overall, line of balance is a good scheduling method to plan and monitor repetitive

tasks during construction progress. The planning through using BIM enhances site utilization,

space coordination, and product information.

CAD Measurement

Modeling with CAD systems offers a number of advantages over traditional drafting methods that

use rulers, squares, and compasses. For example, designs can be altered without erasing and

redrawing during preconstruction. CAD systems also offer "zoom" features analogous to a camera

lens, whereby a designer can magnify certain elements of a model to facilitate inspection. Computer

models are typically three dimensional and can be rotated on any axis, much as one could rotate an

actual three dimensional model in one's hand, enabling the designer to gain a fuller sense of the

object. CAD systems also lend themselves to modeling cutaway drawings, in which the internal

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shape of a part is revealed, and to illustrating the spatial relationships among a system of parts. To

understand CAD it is also useful to understand what CAD cannot do. CAD systems have no means

of comprehending real-world concepts, such as the nature of the object being designed or the

function that objects will serve. CAD systems function by their capacity to codify geometrical

concepts. Thus the design process using CAD involves transferring a designer's idea into a formal

geometrical model. Other limitations to CAD are being addressed by research and development in

the field of expert systems. One example of an expert system involves incorporating information

about the nature of materials their weight, tensile strength, flexibility, and so on into CAD software.

By including this and other information, the CAD system could then "know" what an expert

engineer knows when that engineer creates a design. The system could then mimic the engineer's

thought pattern and actually "create" more of the design.

Manual Measurement

Traditional QS practice involved a manual process with drawings received on paper and Quantity

Surveyors using scale rules to take measurements off the drawings and input them onto a computer

system for the purposes of creating a Bill of Quantities. Measurement Tools like Dimension Paper,

Scale Rulers, Standard Method of Measurement and calculator. While accuracy is the primary

objective, clarity of presentation and communication remain major priorities. A logical approach in

the taking off will greatly assist subsequent understanding. Technical accuracy in booking

dimensions should be rigidly observed at all times. Measurements should be made in a logical

sequence; for example measuring in a clockwise sequence or following room or door numbers.

Dimensions and calculations should be fully annotated. In preconstruction stage, the operating

contractor has to develop the conceptual cost estimate before completing the conceptual

design. The basis for this planning estimate is, the descriptive purpose of the project, general

design criteria, significant features and components, the methodology, and any other known

research and development as required. All assumption made within this estimate must be

documented fore review and concurrence.

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Construction Stage

What Is Construction stage?

Basically, construction stage commences after the design of the project has been finalised with a

contractor being appointed to undertake the construction of the facility. This normally covers all

the works on a site including any specialist tasks which may be carried out by subcontractors or

equipment suppliers.

Benefits of using BIM in construction stage

Synchronization of design and construction planning can be done using tools like simulation of

construction processes to reveal sources of potential problems. With that, clash detection allows

for detection of design errors as well as omissions before actual construction. Not only that, cross

system updates enables faster reaction to design problems or site issues. The BIM model as well

as objects and families can be used as basis for fabricated components. It also improves

synchronization of procurement with design as well as construction through the generation of 3D

models. It also does reduction of wastages and better operation of lean construction techniques.

The Building Information Model allows us to ask the database questions like "How many cubic

yards of concrete are in the foundation?" or "How many square feet of this type of plywood?" or

"How many electrical receptacles of this type are in the project?". The ability to make changes

easily, even late in the project. This means that late changes to a design may be done with much

less effort than in the past, and that more options can be explored during the early design process.

Constraints of using BIM in construction stage

BIM requires more effort at the front end of a project to establish the initial framework. But the

settlement is that you are able to extract a much higher quality and greater quantity of information

from that model. It allows changes to happen easily, so clients may continue to make changes too

late in the process, and that can influence construction and design costs. BIM results in much

larger file sizes than traditional CAD systems, and requires higher performing computer hardware

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to operate it effectively. Not only that, The use of BIM requires substantial training and as with

any software program there are costs associated with the software such as purchasing, licensing

and training. A contractor may need to upgrade its computer system to effectively use the BIM

software.

Benefits of using CAD Measurement in construction stage

The measurement is more accurate as CAD drawings are produce in actual size and thus error in

quantities due to incorrect scale is eliminated. The measurement course for irregular shape is

faster and easier. If the irregular area is measured manually, it would need many steps in

calculating the total area. By using CBMS, the area of irregular shape of a building can easily be

measured by just clicking the border of the shape. The layering concept in CAD software will

assist the taker off in viewing and identifying similar items throughout the drawings. For example,

types of floor finish. Different floor finishes can be separated using various colours or hatch

patterns and the exact area of the different type of floor finishes is then calculated by clicking on

the objects.

Constraints of using CAD measurement in construction stage

CAD drawings are not formed using a standard method in layering and also there is no standard

in naming the layers. This creates problems in finding and searching for the applicable items

during measurement. As the drawings are 2D, measurement is easily done for unit of measure

that required 2D only. Quantities that require 3D such as the measure of volume would require

additional steps in obtaining the quantity. Not only that, the use of CBMS is limited to measuring

quantities only.

Benefits of using Manual measurement in construction stage

All the measurement will be in hand written so it will reduced the risk of loss of information

where the use of software will have a higher risk in loss of information because if the files are not

save properly or the computer suddenly spoil, all the information will be gone. The complexity of

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using manual measurement is much lower compared to using software where training in need if

you want to use the software. You can also save a lot of money by using manual measurement

because it technically doesn’t charge you anything where you need to pay an amount of money

for the usage of the software.

Constraints of using Manual measurement in construction stage

Compared to software, manual measurement can identify error faster than using software because

manual measurement doesn’t have the system to check error like the software. It also has a slower

progress compare to the software so it will have the tendency to delay the completion of the

construction. Generally saying, it is time consuming. It also doesn’t have the 3D, 4D or 5D

purposes like the software.