Using SketchUp in Construction Workflows
SketchUp models are constructible, and in construction, their uses include the following workflows :
- Business Pursuits and Bidding
- Project Coordination
- Detailing & Constructability
- Design Services
Project Pursuits and Bidding
Business Development
Business development team develops visual content of the construction project to showcase the team’s talent in the construction process and to build trust with the client.
The purpose is to create visual content that tells a clear story of how they plan to build the project.
SketchUp has the perfect tools to create a visual story to :
- Highlight a team’s expertise
- Emphasize the team’s understanding of the customer’s vision.
- Convey the general contractor’s plan to complete the project.
In addition, SketchUp is ideal due to :
- Its flexibility in creating visualizations
- Its ease of learning, leading to wider collaboration and contribution opportunities (biz dev, marketing, VDC).
- Its ability to integrate design models and relevant data into the visualization, creating a compelling proposal with meaningful content e.g. RVT, DWG,OBJ, aerial imagery and graphics, materials, etc.
Big construction projects use SketchUp for Business Development, to pursue a project and bidding.
Estimation
Using SketchUp, estimators can better understand and communicate the impact on the design due to budget changes and the financial impact due to design changes.
Estimators use SketchUp in the estimation process to calculate basic area/volume, measure quantity takeoffs and visually validate proposed changes. This is especially true during the early bidding process when elements of the design may not be completely set.
SketchUp can be a direct tool in the estimation process when applied to smaller construction projects. For example, SMB contractors can use SketchUp’s Generate Report tool on their smaller projects. When using SketchUp with Third-party 3D estimation extensions such as Quantifier Pro or Estimator 2, they can even provide real-time cost calculations as the project model evolves.
Project Coordination
Site Logistics Plans
Contractors prepare Site Logistics Plans which include delivery routes, storage/staging areas, jobsite trailer locations, wash out areas, and other similar activities. They are produced to ensure teams on site will work safely and efficiently, maximizing productivity.
3D-logistics plans are standard practice in large projects because they can improve efficiencies and identify problem areas, safety concerns, logistical hurdles, crane paths and other issues.
SketchUp is often used in the creation of these logistics plans due to its modelling flexibility. It allows users to create any visualizations they need in the plans and develop them at a level of details as required.
Coordination Models
Coordination models are essential for planning, phasing, and coordinating the location of not only the permanent structures, but also the temporary construction items such as formwork, shoring, and bracing. They can help with navigating and understanding the complex portions or phases in a project.
Contractors use these models in coordination meetings with their relevant stakeholders to provide context and clarity which allows for better understanding of conditions and more effective collaboration.
SketchUp is suited to this purpose because of its modeling flexibility as well as its ability to import various model file types from different software created by different areas of disciplines in the project.
Site Logistics Plans convey crucial construction project information for teams to work efficiently.
Construction Sequencing
Sequencing graphics can communicate a series of events in a construction process, for example, pick plan sequence and concrete pour cycle.
4D Schedule Visualization
Users can create progressive visualizations by combining sequencing and time in SketchUp using scenes or with extensions like Phases 4D. With the addition of time, SketchUp can be used to create 4D schedule visuals.
This type of visualization is important when coordinating with teams responsible for different portions of the project. It helps to set expectations for the clients and provide them with updates on changes in the project.
For adding content and visualization, users can import SketchUp models into formal 4D scheduling software such as
- Fuzor
- NavisWorks
- Lumion
SketchUp models can be imported into a 4D scheduling software to enhance the visualization and generate content.
Basic 4D sequences can be made with SketchUp.
More robust sequences can be made with extensions like Phases 4D.
Detailing and Constructability
Field Mockups
Physical on-site mockup of a portion of the building envelope are used for training and collaboration purposes.
Field mockups are portions of the building envelope put together on-site next to the location of the actual building. It is composed of all the different materials and parts from all the different trades involved in the creation of the exterior envelope.
This physical mockup is developed before the actual external wall assembly is performed so that the various trades can learn how the system is put together.
Virtual Mockups
Virtual mockups are developed and visualized before or instead of the field mockup. The benefits of doing these are:
- Multiple versions of a virtual mockup can be created to explore construction options more effectively
- Virtual mockups can replace costly field mockups
Materials and the assembly processes are not always well-defined. So, multiple versions of the virtual mockup can be created to evaluate the most efficient and effective wall system and to find the best processes to build it.
Field mockups incur high costs. If a virtual mockup can replace the physical, it is cost savings for the project
Detailing Graphics
Graphics can better explain highly detailed or complex elements in a project.
Instead of virtual mockups, SketchUp can be used for generating 2D detailed graphics to help communicate important or complex details of a project. For example, a 2D-detailed graphic denoting various elements of an enclosure can provide the same visualizations as a virtual mockup.
2D Validation & RFI Graphics
Request for information (RFI) are submitted when there is a need for clarification of plans, drawings, and specifications. Clear communication is crucial to prevent delays.
One of the most basic use cases for SketchUp is in the creation of RFI graphics to provide clarity in the RFI request.
SketchUp is quick and simple enough for visualizing issues found either in 2D documentation or in the field, in 3D graphics.
When used in an RFI ( Request for Information) workflow, SketchUp can
- help to resolve conflicts found in 2D documents by using 3D graphics that can be quickly created to help communicate the problems
- help explain the problems found in the field by modelling the issues and present possible solutions.
Simple yet meaningful 3D graphics can explain the problem better than with words alone.
Design Services
Collaboration Models
Contractors can be heavily involved in the early stages of the design process, where they :
- Collect feedback and details from clients in time to influence the design.
- Provide a clear sense of how the finished project will function and meet client needs
Many construction firms are actively involved in the design process. For projects like hospitals and sports facilities , the design and finer details of portions of the project are left to the general contractor.
Architectural BIM models are exported through SketchUp for use in other visualization environments like VR and AR. The immersive environment provides a next level understanding of the design which improves the collaboration and feedback process.
Both Mortenson Construction and McCarthy Building Companies use SketchUp as a conduit to bring SketchUp models and other project model files into VR.
The design teams work with hospital staff and use the SketchUp 3D model to determine the most effective locations to install the various outlets in a surgical room.
Hospital staff cannot interpret 2D documentation so using the SketchUp 3D collaboration models will ensure their clients have clarity on how the finished product will work and meet their needs.
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