Wayne Brothers launch 3D modelling software in Tekla structures. South East USA´s leading commercial concrete contractors Wayne Brothers have announced a 3D modeling software called ´Wayne Brothers Information Modeling´ (WBIM). It was developed to respond quicker to client demands, witness concrete and rebar details not visible on 2D drawings, and identify potential issues such as omission and errors in design. Focus: business improvement The company used the software for building models of existing projects, before using it to win business. ´We first applied Tekla to operations because we knew that it would be the area of our business that would produce the most value,´ said Daniel Wayne, Project Manager, Director of Technology, Wayne Brothers. ´Later, we started modeling projects to help win business, which is very effective especially with complex industrial structures with tight schedules. Showing a prospective client their project in 3D is a powerful statement,´ he mentioned. Adding value to the workflow There are steps taken to identify potential issues during the pre-construction and pre-planning stages in an effort to reduce waste and avoid delays and cost overruns. Instead of only looking for conflicts in concrete and rebar, the models are compared. Since it supports a wide range of file types, one can easily import and export models and information created in other BIM and computer-aided design (CAD) applications. Before construction, the model is checked by the designer and all of the trades times, thus ensuring cost efficiency. Ryan Barker, CM-BIM, Wayne Brothers´ BIM Manager, said ´If you take the time to make it right in the model, you can automate other processes.´ Less time spent The earlier lengthy process included finding a vendor to detail the rebar, seeking the engineer´s approval and cutting the rebar and finally delivering it to the site. However, under the new process, the model is prepared during pre-construction with concrete objects as part of their estimate to the client. Post this, the concrete model is sent to the rebar vendor to add the rebar detail. Any changes can be made within a few hours and the time taken from the award to the first rebar submittal is reduced by 50 per cent. Easy on-field transfer Once the team has modeled the concrete on a project in Tekla Structures, including the small details such as pour breaks, column isolations, turn downs, anchor bolts, layout points and rebar, the model is exported to Tekla BIM sight and organised by the building and object types to make it easy to navigate. The package is saved to the company´s server, where the project team can access it but not alter it, thus protecting the master model. Users with little modeling experience can view the model to visualise the project and use it for coordination and collaboration. Rebar coordination reduces misfabrication Rebar fabricators model each piece of rebar according to its exact size, bends and then creates a bar list. This information is exported to the fabrication software to cut and size the rebar to the exact measurements. Tekla also allows it to organise the rebar to manage the flow of material to the site. Moreover, it helps in reducing the rebar waste. For instance, during the first project modeled in Tekla, in a 90,000 sq m industrial complex, 99 per cent of the rebar was fabricated correctly. The accurate model could pass these savings on to the owner as compared to the otherwise 10-20 per cent wrong fabrication in 2D drawings. High quality results Hence, the 3D modleling software helps effective collaboration, coordination and execution of projects by providing a single source of project information to use throughout the project lifecycle. (Communication by the management of the company)