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Construction Computing 2006

From STORAGE Magazine Vol 6, Issue 8 - October 2006

David Chadwick previews this year's event, to be held at The Barbican, London 22nd-23rd November 2006

We are holding the third Construction Computing event at the Barbican, in London, on the 22nd and 23rd of November - the only exhibition and conference for the industry that covers all aspects of IT in construction. The event has evolved from the AEC Computing Exhibitions held at Chelsea Football Stadium, and Lords Cricket Ground - successful events that demonstrated that CAD cannot be isolated from the revolution that is affecting the rest of the industry.

The growing prevalence of BIM is drawing all elements together. The information held in the building model is the accumulation of data from many sources, which can be profitably used to manage the complete building process, and its occupation subsequent to completion.

Whilst CAD is used to conceptualise, design, fit out and produce working drawings for a building project, it is merely the focal point for a wide range of activities that can start with demographic studies to determine its need, to arrangements for its safe and effective demolition. And, at the Construction Computing event, we try to get them all under one roof, so that we all have a chance to see what everyone else is up to - and how we can incorporate, and take advantage of, their expertise, in our own fields.

In any competitive environment (and it is a sad thing to admit that competition, rather than self-fulfilment, is of more pressing concern for us these days) the use of whatever assistance is available to press home an advantage is imperative. And that means the computer, with its ability to speed up and rationalise the drawing process and amend drawings on the hoof, and to do so much more than line drawings and plans; rendering, 3D models, simulations and walkthroughs.

But now we have gone beyond that, especially in the construction industry. The ability that architects now have to create buildings with all of their information about the entire building inherent in its design - the BIM, or Building information Model - is just one small part of the whole revolution. CAD, the architect, the 3D building model; these are just small elements in the whole computing edifice that can be applied to a building project.

From the very first glimmerings of a building or civil engineering project we are collecting data that can be used throughout the life of a project - the demographic and terrain surveys, the ecological studies, the geological and water problems we have to deal with, and of course the project’s impact on existing structures in the same locality.

Before we can turn a single sod, we also have to persuade the planning authorities, clients and public of our worthwhile intentions, by using the latest techniques in visualisation and presentation. The viability of the structures have to be estimated, using structural analysis and CFD software to determine their physical limitations, and environmental analysis to work out whether they are going to be energy efficient - and comfortable to work in!

And, once the project is underway, it has to be costed, managed and evaluated for risk and budgetary shortfalls - using dedicated software to send out and evaluate returning tenders, provide accurate estimates of quantities of materials required, order and keep track of them, distribute working documents to sub-contractors, and set up meetings to discuss them, evaluate risks from any number of external forces, and how to deal with them - and, of course, organise and pay for materials, the workforce and suppliers.

It doesn't even stop there, as management requirements extend into the future - until, and even after, the building is pulled down, forcing companies to think of the costs of running buildings, the income that could be derived from them - and the cost of their demolition.

CAD, therefore, is but a small, though vital, part of IT in Construction. This, again, is why we have set up Construction Computing, and why we publish Construction Computing magazine - to bring together all of those elements that are vital parts of the whole process, and that rely on efficient collaboration and sharing of data between each of them to make them all work together - an airing that is too infrequently available in the same venue, or publication.

What does the event include? Besides the exhibition we have break-out seminars by industry experts that cover all aspects of construction computing - giving attendees the opportunity to listen to the latest trends that affect us all - and also to meet with the experts and with like-minded colleagues (and competitors) to discuss the latest, and most pressing construction issues. The event is also sponsored by noted industry organisations, such as RIBA and CICA, who will be on hand to talk about their services.

And, most important of all - the event is FREE! Those unable to attend for the full two days are welcome to drop in when they have time available - it is right in the heart of London! But isn't a mere two days, where you can be brought up to speed on the latest IT developments in the construction industry, worth anybody's time? www.constructioncomputing.co.uk