Graitec – an Autodesk Platinum Partner and global developers of CAD/CAE software – recently invited offsite sector experts to a roundtable discussion surrounding the links between design software tools and the environmental impact of the structures we create.
Construction professionals at every level are increasingly involved with digital technology and how it helps them achieve the transformation in quality our built environment desperately needs. Offsite construction is also adopting digital tools and technology as an aid to further boost the huge benefits it offers clients and specifiers.
Operating at a global level, Graitec knows the vital importance that leveraging the power of technology plays in developing more sustainable and efficient builds. Representing Graitec, Rawad Assaf, Solution Technical Director, welcomed attendees and outlined the importance of conversations about software development between collaborators in the design software arena.
While contributing to a more sustainable future is a goal shared by everyone at the table, it quickly became clear that there was a much larger discussion to be had, looking not only at design software tools but also strategy, collaboration and overall approach. All parties agreed that it is not just about having the right tools to do the job – but finding the perfect marriage between digital design and practical applications.
Understanding the landscape
Patrick Hayes, Technical Director for IStructE, reflected on the changes in the offsite sector over the past few years. “Back in 2012, we were working on a project that required a carbon calculation, but there was no tool for it, so we had to make our own. This has really been the story of the industry – we developed our own tool, and other companies are making and using their own. The question has become how do we find a common standard? 18 months ago, the focus was on operational carbon as an industry. We have realised that as we make buildings more efficient, the challenge going forward will be embodied carbon. How are we sharing that data?”
The need to utilise data to refine and value-engineer more sophisticated sustainable modelling is something that Rory Bergin from HTA Design was keen to pick up on, following his experience of working on many projects with Vision and Tide. “Working with them we have done three studies now, which are all based on final data,” said Rory. “As a manufacturer they have fantastic final data, whereas within a traditional construction approach, it is much harder to get because actually no one is measuring the range, or the data is with a sub-contractor. There are gaps.”
When it comes to understanding the current landscape around digital software and the challenges posed to the industry – particularly around data sharing – Rawad Assaf suggests that the solution is in advancing building information modelling (BIM) to ensure continuity. “There is an issue in construction now with data continuity – how we ensure data will not be lost when moving from architect to engineers to the construction site. The answer is BIM, and we are trying our best to have a positive impact, looking at ways to ensure data continuity across all elements, going from scratch to the construction site and back for maintenance as well.”
Interoperability and integration
Looking at the digital software market, it would be easy for the industry to accept the status quo, something Daniel Leech, CEO of Design 4 Structures, thinks is holding back interoperability. “The market expectation is that everything up to RIBA stage three is via Revit. We take that data and apply it to a manufacturing level of detail before having to incorporate the IFC into Tekla. We then get interoperability issues between Revit and Tekla. The interoperability of both analysis and modelling software is a real challenge. We would love to be able to develop that interoperability more.”
While interoperability does pose a challenge, Nicola Carniato, Technical Director for engineering consultants AKT II, was keen to point out that the vast scope of tools available also brings opportunities to produce more durable and circular structures. “There is an issue with software integration, but there is also an opportunity – the scope of tools means we can get the normal structural analysis, but also look at things from an efficiency perspective. With so much software, I talk with my colleagues and say – look, we have so many tools to check in – we do a side-by-side analysis, not only on our design but on the efficiency of the building.”
Collaboration between software developers is needed to avoid the inevitable proliferation of incompatible platforms. With so many companies creating bespoke solutions for universal challenges, a lack of interoperability is undoubtedly holding the industry back. “When we look at the proliferation of tools, the thing that concerns me is where is the data for those tools coming from?” says Rory Bergin. “You can have as many tools as you like, but if they say different things about the same material, its a problem. From a design point of view, we need to be confident that whatever tools we use are giving us the information and results that will stand up to scrutiny. Things like carbon need to be based on a common platform.”
Ben Harper, Technical Manager, British Offsite, believes the obstacles for smaller software companies go beyond the monopolisation of the market by the big players. “You have all these big software companies that have the reach and money – it is difficult for a smaller company to try and create that interoperability. You have got everyone wanting to build a unique building. Interoperability becomes a struggle – because we are all trying to work with full-scale models, so your Revit, your IFCs, your central models, which is another bit of software again, is trying to do everything and talk to everything, which means you have all these companies out there trying to create software that does a myriad of things.”
With so many companies creating bespoke solutions for universal challenges, a lack of interoperability is undoubtedly holding the industry back.
A ’perfect storm’
Daniel Leech describes what he calls ‘a perfect storm’ across the construction model from procurement to delivery. “The reality is we have one massive player who set the standard – if we are not going to change the market structure, then the answer is to have a common platform. But if we do that, are manufacturers also coming together on a common platform? We need to look at procurement and contracts because this interoperability challenge leads into a perfect storm where the whole industry has become so risk averse. To innovate and develop the software and create those tools that allow for interoperability, you have to take a monumental risk. Until we change the way that we procure and the way that we contract, and we make that more of a shared responsibility, there will be reluctance.”
Tackling the subject of incremental evolutions in technology, discussion around the table turned to structural engineering, sustainability and modelling. British Offsite has discovered that finding a system that can meet all requirements is a real challenge as Ben Harper explained: “Right now, we use Vertex – it works well for creating panels. It does the Howick outputs, it does the Randek outputs – that is a great. But the integration with that bit of software is not very good. That forces us into a position where one of the things we are considering now is – will we still be using Vertex in five years? Probably not. We are trying to find a solution that integrates everything.”
Collaboration to achieve common platforms is something that Graitec is keen to develop. But how can it be achieved? “At Graitec, we are partners with Autodesk,” says Rawad Assaf. “One of the largest partners in the world, and at the same time, we are editors. That is why we have many solutions – Simulate Solutions, which is for structural engineers, but we also have Create, Fabricate Solutions and Connect. We recently created a Connect solution to start collaborating in the cloud because, as everyone says, it is a matter of being able to collaborate. We have add-ons on Revit, Inventor, and other software regarding Autodesk and we are trying to work in the transversal direction to connect all these in an environment outside the Autodesk ecosystem. It is an interesting challenge.”
Sustainability and circularity
The links between digital design software and creating sustainable structures also offers an opportunity to take a closer look at ‘design for deconstruction and disassembly’ at an early stage. Ben Harper added: “People talk about the Golden Thread and want a timeline of the products in a build. This is something we have been doing for six years. You can put a barcode on a panel, and I can tell you where the steel comes from, where the insulation comes from.” Rory Bergin agreed that the principle of enabling deconstruction and not forcing the demolition of a building was a crucial step forward in achieving more circular design. “If you can demonstrate that you can deconstruct the building into its parts and then do something with them, you can show a pathway to reuse, reconstruction or recycling.”
There is no doubt that circular design is starting to become a common element in design briefs. Developers are thinking more about the future use of buildings and how utilising design software can account for potential reuse. Robert Mills, Associate Director, Whitby Wood has seen an increase in the drive for circular economy design with their clients. However, is not without its own challenges. “One of the difficult things about circular design is finding the delicate balance between adapting and designing – between what you are putting into the building now, in terms of materials, and how those might be used in the future. Because you don’t want to over-design and end up adding more embodied carbon at this stage when it may never get adapted in the future. The main thing is understanding how the building was erected and documenting that because it may have to be demounted in the long-term future.”
While demand for a more circular approach is increasing, there is still a way to go in terms of finding the balance between flexibility and meeting the operational requirements of the building, particularly when looking at the wide scope of materials and approaches used.
“Firstly, when you take a step back and look at behavioural changes – what drives them? One is aspiration. There are aspirations for clients driving the circular economy and you can see that particularly on the steelwork side. We want to reuse steelwork. The reality is that most of the industry is driven by legislation. Circular business will get driven by legislation because, when you look at the mission zero report, that’s all based around circular economy and minimising waste. But there isn’t a one size fits all solution to the question of circular design. You’ve got to be realistic. The problem arises when the building is just not adaptable at all. What if I want to create a hole in it? Can I do it? There are levels of flexibility which tie themselves to a structural system, and that’s what you need to look at.”
With no ‘one size fits all’ solution to circular economy design, Rory Bergin spoke about the need for better leadership, legislation and guidance, the current lack of which may exacerbate the proliferation of different tools, as different markets seek to meet their own individual circular targets. “It is going to be a problem in the future. I think the leadership is missing, leadership at the top of the of the chain. Construction is so diverse and splintered into so many small organisations that you need to see leadership. I don’t really think the sector has it and it is not coming from government right now. We might see a change, but I prefer in some ways if the industry led itself. We must take control of ourselves and get the guidance in place. What recycled content should we be aiming at? What is achievable? What testing standards should we be using? I think within the industry we need somebody to look at the whole thing holistically.”
When it comes to improving the environmental credentials of any build, Nicola Carniato favours the holistic approach. “This is where I see another opportunity – we are talking about BIM co-ordinators. You now see people thinking more about investment in that particular sector to try to realign the models together. I would rather create opportunities in design software-wise, so it eliminates that risk. We have to look at operational energy, for example, to choose the right materials.”
Daniel Leech believes that there needs to be better integration between software use and practical application, and there are lessons to take from other industries about finding that perfect marriage between the two. “I think it has come full circle back to the first point about interoperability,” says Dan. “The software and technology are so good and advanced. Young people pick up the software quickly. The problem is they still need the input of experience. Even though the software says it can do X, we know in reality it will do Y. I think there could be a lot of cross-pollination from industries like the gaming industry, but we have got to make our industry more attractive to those people. Look at the automotive industry – they have taken the time and the effort to do it right. It feels to me like the whole construction industry needs to slow down and take stock.”
One of the key concerns across all aspects of the offsite sector is interoperability and this was a common theme running through much of the roundtable discussion. The deeper use of software and availability of digital tools that enable better and clear options for design teams is literally at our fingertips. It is through wider collaborative efforts between all those involved to find more effective ways to help the construction supply chain achieve their digital and built environment transformation goals.
Many thanks to Graitec for hosting the roundtable event and thanks to all participants for their time and contributions to the lively discussion.
For more information visit: www.graitec.com
