TR036: Construction Site Applications of CAD

Despite the industry's slow progress toward integrating the entire design and construction process, computer-aided design tools (CAD) have evolved to a point where they can support field engineering and construction operations apart from a totally integrated environment. Most field engineering functions rely on graphical presentation to communicate the engineer's intent. CAD gives the constructor access to vast amounts of new design data and assists in effective technical communication with the field. Constructors who use CAD will be able to improve their field engineering activities; constructors who innovate with CAD will develop new construction aids that will significantly improve their overall construction operations and gain a competitive advantage over their non-automated competitors. These benefits are available to constructors now.

This report discusses results from an in-depth investigation of CAD applications in construction. The researchers interviewed key people at nine construction firms, two large engineer, procurement and construction (EPC) firms and seven construction-only firms, and surveyed approximately 750 US and Japanese construction companies to determine how they use computers and CAD. By studying how each of these company implemented and used CAD, the researchers found numerous innovative applications of CAD in construction. Further, they identified capabilities of CAD that support construction, characteristics of successful implementation of CAD and barriers to increased use of CAD in construction.

Although very limited, the background literature concerning CAD and its applications in construction leads to the following conclusions:

• Technology is not a problem in allowing construction firms access to electronic design information. The technology exists, its costs have become reasonable and it can be configured in a variety of ways to support construction.
• Design firms have blazed the path in implementing technology in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry and construction firms can learn from their experiences.
• CAD use in the design phase of a project is increasing and therefore electronic design information is increasingly available to the constructor. The transfer of data to the constructor, though, is not yet automatic.
• Several large EPC firms have developed and implemented integrated project design and management systems that allow their construction forces to access the electronic design data. The background literature does not indicate whether or not these firms use workstations on construction sites to explore possible uses beyond those envisioned by the system developers.
• The literature offers only slight speculation of the value of electronic design information to construction forces and provides no examples of constructors using of CAD on the construction site.