BIM and AI
According to MediaConstruct, the French chapter of BuildingSmartInternational, BIM refers not only to a Digital Model but also to business processes for generating, operating, and managing technical data of a built asset. In other words, it is a collaborative working method that relies on a digital model and is supported by the tools provided by new technologies.
The digital model is a 3D representation of the physical, geometric, and ontological aspects of a building's components. It is the primary medium for creating and exchanging construction data. BIM processes, on the other hand, represent all the processes that allow collaboration within a company or between different stakeholders of a project throughout the entire lifecycle of a building.
The notion of collaborative work implies smooth data exchange between building professionals, overcoming the restrictive barriers imposed by native formats. This is why the IFC format (Industry Foundation Classes) was created to allow interoperability between proprietary software.
Supported by the government strategy implemented to accelerate the digital transition of the construction sector (PTNB and BIM 2022 Plan), BIM is set to expand and become more widespread within construction companies. This digital revolution involves not only a transformation of support but also a revolution in working methods and a redefinition of professions.
BIM at the service of the BUILDING ENVELOPE
At PROCAL, we anticipate changes affecting professions related to building envelopes, the clear needs of professionals and companies for technological tools, as well as support and training. We invite you to discover our approach and our commitments through our various development areas.
BIM requires the use of appropriate software technologies: The software offered by ProCAL (ENVELOP 3D and CAL3D) provides building envelope and structural professionals with the ability to create modular 3D digital models through intuitive commands and quick modifications.
BIM modeling must integrate a set of dimensions to simulate the construction process as realistically as possible and incorporate non-geometric data. Thanks to their "product-oriented" approach, ProCAL's software will allow you to carry out your design studies using real products: BIM object database. These BIM objects are modeled with a very high level of detail (LOD500), perfectly meeting the level of development required for the execution phase (BIM EXE).
The benefits of BIM in the building envelope.
At ProCAL, we place the client at the heart of our development strategy.
The continuous communication we maintain with the users of our software allows us to understand their needs and provide solutions. The issues raised by our clients are always addressed through the tools we continually improve or develop. This approach is designed to facilitate and support the shift in practices within these companies, particularly in the context of the digital and ecological transition in the construction industry.
Our commitment to promoting BIM in the building envelope is realized through concrete actions (ensuring interoperability with other BIM software), aiming to put building envelope professionals at the center of the design process.
In this regard, ProCAL is committed to innovation and initiates research to integrate BIM as a unifying element with concepts like DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly), Generative Design, and Lean Construction. These concepts enable the design of the building envelope as the assembly of prefabricated products in the workshop, to be assembled on-site. We strive to leverage the potential of off-site construction for the building envelope to enhance productivity, reduce on-site implementation time, minimize errors and waste, and thus lower costs while maintaining the quality of the project.
Stop being a subcontractor who suffers and become a valued partner and a driving force of innovation!
For a long time, the role of companies and specialized engineering firms in building envelopes was limited to executing instructions given by other parties, enduring tight deadlines, and excessive cost overruns mainly due to poor collaboration, data management issues, and inefficient organization of workflows between design and implementation.
At ProCAL, we aim to put these players back at the center of their activities. How? By developing tools that enable them to establish effective communication with their key stakeholders.
First, with the project management team and architect, by offering several layout options (using Generative Design and Optional approaches) that present different levels of performance (aesthetics, waste reduction, optimization of offcuts, etc.). The idea is to add value to the project through design.
Then, with manufacturers and suppliers. Indeed, our tools allow professionals to use real existing products in the market, thanks to a continuously enriched BIM object database. The advantage is to have a realistic vision of the project, anticipate orders, stockouts, and improve decision-making during the design phase.
Finally, our tools allow professionals to think about the organization of the construction site and implementation from the design phase. The goal is to streamline the transition from design to implementation on site by anticipating manufacturing, assembly, and installation durations. From there, several design alternatives are proposed in advance, and material deliveries to the site are scheduled to optimize workers' time and reduce travel time.
What is Generative Design?
Generative design is an iterative design process that allows the creation of multiple design alternatives based on the designer's parameters and goals. In the industry, generative design has proven effective in the design of optimized parts, i.e., lighter, more consolidated, and therefore more durable. The idea behind generative design is to develop a design starting from various expectations and requirements. The computational power of generative design software allows for the production of several design options and the analysis of the results to define the most optimal design(s).
Our Approach: Generative Design in Building Envelopes
The increasing complexity of buildings due to digital and energy transitions, along with the multiple constraints faced by designers in general and building envelope professionals in particular, requires appropriate technological tools to accomplish their tasks. At ProCAL, we believe that the best ally for building envelope professionals to address this complexity is the optimization of their studies and designs. Introducing generative and optional design into the design process would cover different aspects of the design (even conflicting ones) and propose multiple layout and cladding drawing alternatives that best meet the pre-defined goals.
Generative/Optional Design in Building Envelopes: How Does It Work?
1. Define the starting parameters
The first step is to define all the parameters that govern the design (constraints, constants, variables, etc.). Example:
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Tolerable waste rate
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Minimum usable offcut width
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Number of cuts per panel
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2. Start the Layout Operation
Once the starting parameters are defined, the layout process can begin. Thanks to appropriate algorithms, the software will be able to generate several alternatives. Each alternative will be assigned a score corresponding to how well it meets the goals defined by the user. The idea behind this type of application is to allow users to focus their efforts on the added value their work can bring (reducing design errors, saving building materials, significant productivity gains, better collaboration with all stakeholders) by combining multiple objectives, even contradictory ones, thanks to the software's computational power.
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3. Select the Best Option for Layout
In this final step, the user can initiate automatic layout. Once the entire project is complete, the production of graphical pieces, quantities, etc., can begin.
DfMA
DfMA® in the Manufacturing Industry
Quickly becoming a standard in the manufacturing industry, the Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA®) methodology is based on three key principles:
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Reduction and simplification of assembly operations by reducing the number of parts that make up a product.
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Early and accurate cost estimation of various design proposals to facilitate informed decision-making.
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The advantages of applying this method have been proven, allowing hundreds of industrial companies over the last 30 years to manufacture products at lower costs and with better quality.
DfMA® enters the Construction Industry
With the growing interest in off-site construction and the industrialization of the construction sector, research on the application of industry methods in construction has been increasing, particularly with DfMA.
In general, applying DfMA in construction means taking into account the manufacturing and assembly constraints of the elements that make up the building right from the design phase.
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DfMA® in the Building Envelope?
At ProCAL, we recognize the clear importance of applying DfMA in construction, particularly in the building envelope, which lies at the core of our activity. Due to its nature, the building envelope holds significant potential for the industrialization of its components.
We are currently conducting active research to integrate this method into our software tools. With a product-oriented approach, the applications we are developing take into account manufacturing and assembly constraints, and even transportation considerations, from the start of the design process.
LEAN Construction
What is LEAN Management?
LEAN management originated in the automotive manufacturing industry in Japan, specifically at Toyota. It relies on industrial tools and methodologies such as 5S, VSM, KANBAN, Kaizen, and others. The concept behind LEAN management is the elimination of all forms of waste (for example, unnecessary movement) and the improvement of production quality.
This work methodology quickly found its place outside the automotive industry. Its application in construction led to the creation of LEAN construction.
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LEAN Construction: What Challenges Does it Pose for the Construction Industry?
LEAN construction quickly became a method of organizing work based on continuous improvement. It does not involve major changes but instead focuses on small actions that have an impact on reducing sources of waste and inefficient, time-consuming work processes. It is a mindset that each part of the value chain should adopt, focusing on how to work more efficiently in collaboration with other stakeholders.
Thus, LEAN is undeniably compatible with BIM and helps extend the concept of collaboration for better process management, from the workshop to the construction site.
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ProCAL: LEAN Integrated into the Implementation of the Building Envelope
Like other companies in the construction sector, companies working on the building envelope suffer from decreased productivity, extended implementation times (it is estimated that 80% of a worker's day is spent moving around, reducing effective work time to just 20%), errors accumulating on-site, overestimation/underestimation of products and materials used, overlapping scheduled operations, and wasted time between tasks.
All these factors contribute to the reduction of the company's margins and, in turn, its long-term sustainability.
Machine Learning
What is Machine Learning?
Machine Learning is a branch of Artificial Intelligence defined by a system that, fueled by data, learns and continuously improves. It operates through algorithms that learn and enhance their performance automatically—not through programming but through experience.
The different learning processes used in Machine Learning begin with training data (examples, instructions, experiences) that feed into the Machine Learning model designed to address a specific problem, make predictions, or make better decisions.
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Applications of Machine Learning
Machine Learning is one of the flagship innovations of the 21st century. Its applications range from search engines like Google to voice assistants, social media newsfeeds, and more specialized applications such as customer relationship management, business intelligence, and human resources management systems.
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Machine Learning at the Service of Users of Our Software
At ProCAL, we strive to offer personalized, intuitive, and intelligent software solutions. We view user experience as a key resource for improving our products and adapting to the habits, preferences, and behaviors of users.
By integrating Machine Learning into the core features of our software, we can, over time, learn to predict the type of layout, products, assemblies, and connections, offering quick and adequate solutions to the user.
This system is based on accumulating data collected during use, which is organized into a knowledge base.
This approach minimizes the time required for configuring your layout at the start of each design phase and, thus, significantly reduces study time.
The main advantage of using Machine Learning in our software lies in the enhancement of user performance through project repetition: The more you use the software, the better and more intelligent it becomes!
