Understanding the “Future Testing” Cycle

Every building and infrastructure design is unique. Whether a project is an artistic work or a more utilitarian design, it has unique requirements for piping, ductwork, structure and other elements that must be designed and coordinated in context.

These elements are typically left to later detail design stages of the project. Modernizing craftsmanship with Future Testing allows the 3D digital model from the architect to be extended and enhanced with detailed construction information. It’s then used to virtually construct the building and learn from that experience before doing work in the physical world.

These innovators use precise digital models to simulate the construction and the sequence of steps needed to build it, and iterate on this “digital mockup” multiple times to learn and improve.

In this way, Future Testing makes the first-time building a unique, “one of a kind” structure as efficient as if the company had made it for the 100th time!

Tweet: #FutureTesting makes each 1-of-a-kind structure as efficient as if it’s made for the 100th time @3DSAEC @aeccafe https://ctt.ec/2UOfq+

Future Testing also allows AEC companies to incorporate downstream feedback on constructability by collaborating on the virtual model with makers to build in downstream efficiency. Then, as they gain real-world experience executing the project, they continue to update the models with better ways of working, and run simulations to prove them out.

This way of working shortens the feedback loop so they can apply new methods to the current project, learning as they go and “leaning out” the process at every phase.

Simulating the build process lets a company visualize the results, and the steps needed to get there. This way of working allows for anticipation of what to do differently, determine who to involve earlier, identify avoidable mistakes, and recognize the innovation a company can incorporate.

Future Testing helps an engineer cut waste out of the process and identify opportunities for innovation, while creating the “Digital As-Built” on the way.

Future Testing improves the way architects, engineers, fabricators, building product manufacturers and contractors work by using cutting-edge technology to enhance their ability to anticipate and adapt.

Tweet: #FutureTesting helps #architects, engineers, fabricators & contractors to better anticipate & adapt @3DSAEC @aeccafe https://ctt.ec/Uq5c2+

Dassault Systèmes understands the AEC industry’s challenges and the 3DEXPERIENCE® platform allows forward-thinking companies to adopt the Future Testing solution.

One example of the time savings is the construction of the mechanical room: The time to construct a mechanical room for an 18 story tower such as this, with a traditional stick-built approach, is 800 to 1,000 labor hours. With Future Testing, the job took 160 hours of virtual detailing (3D modeling and kit of parts prefabricated outputs, such as spool drawings with cut lengths and bill of materials) and 160 hours of physical assembly. That’s a total of only 320 hours, cutting out 2/3rds of the required hours. The onsite work took 3 weeks and 1 worker, compare to the baseline of 3 workers for 3 months. The results were a significant contributor to the project coming in ahead of schedule and under budget.

The Benefits of Future Testing

Future Testing allows companies to modernize the craft of building by:

• Quickly developing complete, precise models of the building
• Anticipating issues and innovation opportunities by simulating the construction and the build process
• Creating accurate drawings to enable components to be prefabricated, or fabricated directly from the digital models, to exacting tolerance and installed right the first time
• Learning by doing from both the physical and virtual environments, and adapting to improve efficiency as the project progresses
• Reacting to inevitable changes with agility
• Developing confidence and trust with stakeholders

Related Resources

This post was excerpted from the Dassault Systèmes whitepaper, “Replacing Problem-Solving with Future Testing”

Download the full paper:

Tags: BIM

Categories: AEC, Business Processes, Collaboration, Industrialized Construction, Technologies

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