3D design and multidisciplinary coordination

For several years, Ramboll has had great success with 3D design and modelling. Today, all large building projects are designed in 3D with respect to structures as well as building services. The use of 3D in the design phase provides unique opportunities for all parties involved in the project to create the optimum construction and to increase the understanding of the construction for all parties, ie client, architects and engineers, and contractors.

Ramboll has experience in 3D design from large and small projects, and the knowledge and experience acquired from each project is registered and used in connection with future projects.

3D design provides for far better coordination between the various professions and disciplines so that the client will have an improved construction with well thought-out solutions and clash checks that make it easy to realise the project on site. Here 3D plays an important part as it provides for the possibility of regular clash checks between the architect's 3D model, the structural engineer's 3D model and the building services engineer's 3D model. This makes it a well-coordinated project.

Each discipline has its own specific 3D model, and they can all be combined in a joint model. The client and the contractor can navigate in the combined model themselves and assess the solutions suggested, hense increasing communication in the design phase as well as in the realisation phase. Finally, the client may benefit from the combined model later in connection with the operation and maintenance of the building.

3D tools at Ramboll
Ramboll has great focus on the optimum 3D tools being used within each discipline. For structural design, Tekla Structures is used, and for building services MagiCAD is used. However, it is extremely important that the 3D programmes used can export to all other programmes in order for the multidisciplinary collaborative work to have the optimum effect.

Solibri Model Checker is a clash check programme that Ramboll uses to join all the 3D models in a combined model. The programme makes it possible to coordinate all elements in large and small models, and it clearly indicates clashes and can also make simple reports to indicate possible clashes. Making clash checks is an integrated part of the 3D design process.

Sigma is a calculation programme that Ramboll uses to perform calculations of the construction in all its phases. The programme provides a simple overview of the quantities in the construction. Sigma is combined with the 3D models to export quantities from the models to the calculation tool.

Experiences from the building site
By designing in 3D it is possible for the construction workers themselves to use the 3D tools in practice. In connection with the new Ramboll Head Office in Orestad, 3D has been used in all engineering disciplines. As a result, it has been possible to coordinate the models in a combined model so that all elements have been clash checked. This way, the minor errors in the concrete elements in respect of the subsequent piping for building services have been corrected in the model so that no errors actually occurred on site. Everything fitted together perfectly. In addition, the 3D models were used at the building site by site managers and construction workers. For the structures, throughout the construction a viewer has been available which has been frequently used, and in several cases a workman has been shown in 3D what was to be constructed and then he has carried it out. For the buildings services, the models have been used on a continuous basis, meaning that the workmen have turned round the 3D model all the time to find out the exact position for the piping. It has also been possible to print sections of the actual situation which has made everything easier for the individual workman.

Prospects for the future
Ramboll aims to be at the cutting edge of 3D design. Ramboll spends great resources looking into 3D tools and working methods that can bring us further ahead. Time management and financial management based on the 3D models are the next big steps. Another area is increased user involvement, in which the client and the users familiarise themselves with the future construction by means of the 3D models. The overall goal is that client and users will have the building they require, of the right quality and at the right time and price.