The Technology Centre IV (TC-4) is an office building under construction within the L&T campus at Manapakkam in Chennai. The proposed development includes a multi-storeyed structure (TC-4) along with other utilities such as a water treatment plant, gas bank, sewage treatment plant, organic waste composter, ring main unit / meter room, electrical building, and service building.
The proposed built-up area of TC-4 is 65,000 square metres, accommodating workspace for 5,100 people.
The building configuration includes three basement levels, a ground floor, and thirteen office floors. It is designed as an energy-efficient structure compliant with the stringent standards set by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for Platinum certification. Noteworthy features include a double-height entrance lobby on the ground floor and convenient drop-off/pick-up canopies. Additionally, the building offers common amenities such as a food court and auditoriums.
As the Digital Engineering – BIM Team, we have consistently prioritized the implementation of BIM across all projects at L&T. TC-4 has emerged as a prime example of successful BIM integration, standing out as one of the most effectively implemented projects.
In my journey through the rapidly evolving construction industry, I have realized that staying ahead of the curve requires a blend of innovation, collaboration, and cutting-edge technology. This reality became vividly apparent during a project kick-off meeting with Ms. Kanagambihai T – Project Head, Ms. Vasuki S – Sr. Manager, and site team, where we had an interactive discussion on BIM implementation.
The cornerstone of this transformation was the adoption of the Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC), which serves as a Common Data Environment (CDE) by providing a unified platform for all project-related information, fostering collaboration, and streamlining communication among stakeholders.
To ensure maximum effectiveness, we organized hands-on training sessions led by Mr. Raja P - Senior Manager (BIM Technology and Implementation) for the TC-4 site team at the BIM Academy. During these sessions, Mr. Raja P provided an overview of ACC, guided the team through account and project setup, demonstrated document management, model coordination, field management, project management, insight and reporting, and conducted practical exercises.
The session was highly interactive, empowering the project team with the essential skills and knowledge to effectively leverage this powerful platform. In our project workflow, starting from Revit, we meticulously segmented the model into distinct parts aligned with schedule line items, assigning unique IDs to every element.
“During the implementation of 4D, the issue of getting regular updates to the developed model from schedule was resolved through DPR capture in Bexel, which helped us in getting the progress updated into model and view it online in Bexel CDE.”
Upon importing the Revit model into Bexel Manager, we seamlessly integrated schedules and linked them with corresponding model elements. This integration facilitated the creation of selection sets and custom breakdowns categorized by pour, zone, level, elements, and categories. Additionally, we leveraged this data to generate quantity take-offs and develop 4D simulations for comprehensive project visualization.
“BIM has proven to be an efficient tool for quantification, provided the model is continually updated to reflect the latest design changes. Additionally, Augmented Reality assists the execution team in visualizing upcoming developments and checking for site-level adherence.”
Utilizing Color-coded Custom Breakdown structures further enhanced our workflow by visually categorizing and highlighting elements based on specific criteria such as building levels, area ranges, and other attributes.
Finally, we ran delay analysis in Bexel Manager, which provides clear insights into project timelines and progress, yielding substantial benefits. By generating custom breakdowns for monthly lookahead, completed, and delayed tasks, it enables comprehensive project monitoring and management.
This approach enhances clarity in complex BIM models, expedites the identification of patterns, anomalies, and compliance issues, and ensures robust quality control and data accuracy throughout the project lifecycle.
Harnessing the power of technology further, we completed a proof of concept for integrating Building Information Modelling (BIM) with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) using ESRI ArcGIS for the TC-4 building.
This synergy bridged the gap between spatial data and construction information, unlocking new possibilities in site analysis and decision-making.
Further, we introduced Augmented Reality (AR) to the site team, offering a transformative way to visualize and interact with construction elements. We conducted a comprehensive demonstration of Trimble Connect AR's capabilities for the site teams, offering hands-on experience with its advanced features.
Teams including Ms. Vasuki S, Ms. Varshaa Laxmi, and Ms. Niyathi Jinosh from Planning; Ms. Shanmugha Vadivu T from MEP Planning; Mr. Jayakumar and Mr. Siddarth from MEP Execution; Senthil Raj, Construction Manager; and Aravindan P., Finishes Incharge, visited the site. Mr. Umar Belal, Mr. Ganti Shanmukh, and I showcased Trimble Connect AR, providing interactive sessions. On another occasion, Ms. Kanagambihai, Mr. Senou K., Mr. B.S. Mukund, Ms. Shanmugha Vadivu, and Mr. Madhu Anand S., along with their respective teams, also had the opportunity to experience AR at TC-4.
“Implementing BIM at the TC4 site has been an impressive achievement. The improvements in safety and project visualization are particularly commendable. From my experience, I believe all the projects should adopt BIM, as the results are well worth the effort.”
Mr. Kishore Kumar Dasam - SR. MANAGER -BIM, explained the software and effectively demonstrated its features, keeping the team engaged and curious. We also provided training to Ms. Niyathi Jinosh and Mr. Anil Kumar Kari on AR features, demonstrating how to capture daily progress at the site and update actual data in Bexel Manager.
We initiated the process by uploading the model to Trimble Connect Web and strategically positioning markers onsite. Using Trimble Connect AR on iPads equipped with Lidar technology, team members scanned these markers, instantly projecting the model onto the actual project location.
Visualization tools like transparency, cross-sections, and object highlighting were employed to enhance the understanding of complex spatial relationships and identify potential clashes. Team members also leveraged AR to capture issues and annotations directly on-site, facilitating real-time collaboration and communication.
Additionally, the AR application's compatibility with various BIM formats and customization options for visualization preferences, model displays, and user permissions were highlighted, catering to specific project requirements and enhancing the user experience. Feedback from the site team was positive, emphasizing the practical utility of AR in visualizing individual discipline models and improving collaborative workflows across the construction site. Their firsthand experience confirmed the effectiveness of Trimble Connect AR in enhancing project coordination, efficiency, and site team engagement throughout the construction process.
As the project progressed, we utilized Bexel Manager to facilitate the seamless transfer of 4D models to the Bexel CDE, resulting in the generation of comprehensive reports.
Bexel CDE served as a central hub in the cloud, enabling us to manage project versions, define user roles, and control access permissions across multiple projects simultaneously. This platform formed an essential foundation for all modules within the Bexel Cloud ecosystem. We defined user roles and access permissions with respect to project versions, which were beneficial.
Through Bexel CDE, we accessed Selection Sets, Custom Breakdowns, Quantity Take-offs (QTO), and 4D Simulations originally generated in Bexel Manager. Additionally, we could seamlessly view reports from Bexel Manager, including Look Ahead schedules, planned versus actual progress comparisons, and tracking of completed and delayed tasks.
The Site BIM Coordinator captured daily Progress using BCF Manager in Bexel CDE, ensuring efficient and accurate daily progress updates directly within the platform.
Subsequently, conducted POC for Mixed Reality (MR) technology at the site using HoloLens.
Similar to the AR process, we placed markers at specific locations on the site. Using HoloLens 2, Mr. Raja P and Mr. Aravindraj CM, scanned these markers, instantly placing the model at the designated location. The purpose of testing MR at the site was to identify its benefits, features, capabilities, specifications, precision, and to experience the technology. This cutting-edge technology can allow stakeholders to interact with virtual models overlaid onto the physical environment, offering a new dimension of insight and engagement.
Working on the TC-4 construction project has been nothing short of a remarkable journey, filled with challenges, triumphs, and endless opportunities for growth. From the outset, I knew that this project would push the boundaries of conventional construction practices, requiring us to embrace innovation at every turn.
As I delved into working on the TC-4 project, I was immediately struck by the complexity of the task at hand. However, rather than being deterred by the challenges, I saw them as opportunities to innovate and excel. One of the first major milestones was the development of a 4D model, a task that required meticulous planning and coordination to align with project timelines and objectives. Despite the hurdles, seeing the project come to life in a dynamic, time-based visualization was incredibly rewarding.
Yet, the journey was far from over. In our quest to leverage the latest technologies, we encountered the obstacle of handling large file sizes for AR implementation. However, through perseverance and ingenuity, we found solutions to federate various discipline models, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance for our AR endeavours. Placing markers at the site for AR not only enhanced the visual experience but also improved on-site decision-making and collaboration.
Similarly, as we ventured into the realm of Mixed Reality (MR), we faced the challenge of federating models and placing markers in the physical environment. Once again, we rose to the occasion, leveraging our expertise and creativity to overcome these obstacles and unlock the full potential of MR technology.
ACC offers construction site teams several key use cases to enhance project efficiency and collaboration. It centralizes document management, ensuring all team members have access to up-to-date drawings, specifications, and reports, thus minimizing errors and delays.
Collaborative workflows enable real-time sharing of information and streamlined communication, essential for coordinating tasks and resolving issues promptly. Version control features maintain document integrity by tracking revisions and ensuring alignment across all stakeholders. The CDE also supports quality assurance through efficient inspection management and compliance tracking, while mobile accessibility empowers on-site teams to access critical data and make informed decisions quickly.
Bexel Manager, with its comprehensive BIM capabilities, has been instrumental in various construction projects by enabling advanced 3D visualization, model data management, and clash detection.
Bexel Manager has facilitated precise automated Quantity Take-Offs (QTO) and cost management, ensuring accurate budgeting and resource allocation. Its 4D BIM features have revolutionized construction scheduling and progress monitoring, allowing teams to visualize the construction sequence, identify critical path activities, and adjust plans in real-time to mitigate risks. Additionally, the 5D BIM capabilities in Bexel Manager have enabled dynamic cost estimation and management, fostering collaboration among stakeholders and providing real-time cost insights that enhance decision-making and project efficiency.
Utilization of AR allows project teams to visualize and coordinate the complex interactions between different systems before construction begins. This augmented reality application enables project managers, engineers, and contractors to bring BIM data directly to the job site. By integrating with Trimble Connect, Trimble Connect AR facilitates real-life, on-site visualization of 3D models via tablets using the Trimble Connect cloud-based platform. This technology enhances intuitive and collaborative processes by enabling users to visualize 3D BIM models in the real world, making complex tasks easier to understand. Key features include model placement using QR markers, visualization tools like transparency and cross-sections, issue capture through augmented reality site photos, and seamless team collaboration via Trimble Connect.
Additionally, Trimble Connect AR supports all common BIM formats and offers offline support, enhancing accessibility and enabling rapid, informed decision-making at the TC-4 site. In the pre-construction phase, AR enables model visualization and clash detection, allowing for the identification and resolution of potential issues before construction starts. During on-site installation and assembly, AR provides installation guidance and precise measurement and alignment.
Quality control and inspection are enhanced through as-built verification and improved inspection efficiency. We can track the project status by comparing the planned elements with the actual constructed elements at the site. Client engagement and stakeholder communication are improved through enhanced visualization and interactive walkthroughs. Overall, AR technology significantly improves every aspect of the construction process, from planning and execution to inspection and maintenance, ensuring a higher quality outcome and greater efficiency.
In Bexel CDE, project teams have the capability to access Selection Sets, Custom Breakdowns, Quantity Take-offs (QTO), and 4D Simulations originally generated in Bexel Manager. This centralized platform enables effective quantification and QTO for procurement, ensuring precise material ordering and timely delivery.
Moreover, reports from Bexel Manager—including Look Ahead schedules, planned versus actual progress comparisons, and tracking of completed and delayed tasks—can be seamlessly viewed within Bexel CDE. It also facilitates project version management, allowing teams to manage different versions and ensure all members work with the most up-to-date information.
The platform supports user role definition and access permissions, enhancing data security and streamlining workflows by restricting access based on individual responsibilities. Additionally, Bexel CDE facilitates the capture of daily progress using BCF Manager, ensuring efficient and accurate daily progress updates directly within the platform. Furthermore, project teams utilize 4D simulations for construction sequencing to visualize construction workflows and avoid site congestion.
Construction teams can employ MR technology to superimpose holographic models over the physical environment, enabling real-time design visualization and precise on-site decision-making. This results in reduced errors, enhanced project efficiency, and better project outcomes.
In conclusion, the TC-4 project stands as a testament to the transformative power of BIM and advanced technologies in the construction industry. Through innovative approaches and relentless determination, we have not only overcome challenges but also redefined the boundaries of what is possible in construction project management.
From the seamless integration of BIM principles to the implementation of cutting-edge technologies like AR and MR, every step of the journey has been guided by a commitment to excellence and collaboration. As we look towards the future, we are confident that the lessons learned from TC-4 will continue to inspire and drive innovation in construction projects worldwide.