| dc.description.abstract | A key component to the construction process is drawing coordination. Due to the
fast paced nature of today’s construction, many design firms utilize other consultants to
aid in completion of the documents within the required design time frame. Coordination
between consultants is often neglected as the design is completed. Additionally,
traditional coordination methods utilize hard copies and light tables for coordination of
construction drawings. Therefore, it is desirable to create an improvement plan that
utilizes electronic coordination for the construction process.
Modifying the coordination process to a soft format that utilizes AutoCAD design
software would improve quality and accuracy. The improvement plan also included
changes to the bid process and job buyout. Shop drawing development was required to
be completed utilizing zone and layer control. Drawing guidelines were developed to
simplify compiling of multiple files into a single drawing.
A key aspect of this project was document management. Files were produced
using specified layer control, labeling requirements, and drawing standards. A third
party was hired to manage an FTP site for storage and movement of files. This system
ensured the current files were available for use and the older files were archived.
The construction coordination process requires three stages, drawing
coordination, field coordination, and as-built development. The majority of coordination
is completed during the drawing coordination stage. Field coordination is utilized to
correct for errors and problems created by overlapping tolerances and installation errors.
The work in place is then documented to insure the drawings are updated to provide
accurate as-built drawings for the client.
The program provided improvements to the existing system and achieved a basic
level of soft format coordination. This system improved speed, lower costs, and allowed
individual sketches of specific items to be produced for review. The use of layer control
allowed for plots to be produced showing only the layers critical to the specified
application. This uncluttered the view and made a more useful drawing.
The information learned from implementing this process has identified areas that
should be improved prior to repeating the process. Additional time should be devoted to
training participants in the use of the available resources, labeling conventions, naming
conventions, and drawing standards. Other areas that created problems were
inconsistency in the drawing packages and third-party plug-ins used by subcontractors.
Further investigation identified many of the plug-ins were required to support their shop
manufacturing processes and could not be eliminated.
Further work would be to use the information gained during this project for
improvement of the implementation of a Building Information Management (BIM) system.
The architectural design packages are currently set for developing drawings in 3D. The
BIM system adds a database of critical component information which is packaged with
the drawing. The mechanical and electrical trades have not adapted the new formats for
design at this time. The mechanical and electrical software designers are still in work on
development of the BIM design packages. Once this step is complete, the program will
contain all critical parts to being a fully operation system. | |
