黑洞社区

New partnership

Global Virtual Design and Construction (Global VDC) and Graphisoft have announced a partnership to develop advanced BIM technologies for the construction industry in Hong Kong and Asia. The partnership aims to provide tailored solutions in the areas of full lifecycle management and green building design.
Global VDC

Technical support

Aluminium rainwater and eaves systems manufacturer Marley Alutec has provided full technical support to Space Architecture during the construction of a flagship BIM project in Northumberland. The small development consisted of four timber-framed, low energy sustainable dwellings. The company said it was chosen because of its impressive BIM portfolio. Alutec鈥檚 Evoke fascia and soffit system as well as its Evolve Half Round guttering and downpipes were chosen for all of the properties. The project took just four months to complete.
Marley Alutec

BIM documentary

BIM video channel The B1M and cubicle manufacturer Cubicle Centre have released a BIM documentary.  鈥淢anufacturing with BIM: The Cubicle Centre Story鈥� is a six-minute clip that explores how BIM has helped streamline the design-to-manufacture process at the West Yorkshire-based firm. It reveals a projected five-working week efficiency saving as a result of making product data available to design teams in 3D component form, enabling works orders, fabrication drawings and cutting lists to be produced faster and with improved accuracy.
The B1M

Collaboration platform

3D BIM technology from Bentley has been used for the construction of a sintering plant in Shandong, China.  Tianjin MCC20 Construction implemented Bentley鈥檚 ProjectWise collaboration platform to achieve the project goals within a short time frame. The BIM toolset included AECOsim 黑洞社区 Designer, GEOPAK, MicroStation, Bentley Navigator, Bentley OpenPlant, ProjectWise, and Bentley Raceway and Cable Management. The company claimed their technology was chosen as it shortened construction by 35 days, reduced project costs by CNY4.5m, and decreased the number of changes by 95% through clash detection and resolution.
Bentley

Civil and structural calculations software

BIM software specialists Tekla has introduced Tedds 2015, a version of its software for automating repetitive civil and structural calculations for engineers.  With this version of Tedds, users can model and analyse a complete 2D frame and then design each beam, all within a single integrated calculation, eliminating the need to design each beam individually in a separate calculation. The company said Tedds 2015 includes new features and enhancements that can increase productivity and significantly reduce the time engineers spend producing calculations and associated documentation. 
Tekla

BIM interface

EcoDomus has been selected for the Sydney Opera House BIM project. The Sydney Opera House announced the appointment of global professional and technical services firm Aecom - in collaboration with BIM Academy and EcoDomus - to deliver a ground-breaking interface between traditional building management control systems, building information databases and BIM. The BIM interface will be a key tool in the Opera House鈥檚 Decade of Renewal, a program of works and initiatives to ensure the world-renowned performing arts centre is fit for 21st century artists and visitors.
EcoDomus

Structural analysis and design software

BIM software company Nametschek Scia has introduced the latest version of Scia Engineer. Scia Engineer 15 is a multi-material structural analysis and design software that is suitable for all types of projects.  It has been designed to EN1992  standards for concrete beams and columns. There is also a composite floor analysis model which combines user-controlled load distribution, easy definition and accurate FEM calculations based on exact orthotropic properties of corrugated steel decks and concrete toppings.
Nametschek Scia