3D+ takes off at Liverpool Airport

Traditionally engineering consultants, such as Scott Wilson, receive information in the form of 2D drawings (even though the Client/Architect may have modelled the structure in 3D). They then create a series of 2D drawings, material take-off and various design/analysis models from this information, ending with the creation of a new set of 2D drawings to give to sub-contractors, such as steelwork fabricators.

3D+ facilitates the creation of one single structural model within the AutoCAD environment, allowing the consultant to automatically create drawings, material lists and analysis/design data. In addition, but perhaps of greater importance, 3D+ will track changes to the model by indicating which drawings need to be recreated following any change. Clearly, this should provide significant improvements in productivity and educe errors in the design process. However, it also requires the engineers to re-think their current working methods. Below, Scott Wilson detail their experience.

When Liverpool Airport assigned the Liverpool Airport Terminal One Project to Scott Wilson in Manchester, the time factor was paramount. Scott Wilson looked for innovative ways of delivering the programme. The £28m contract involved an extension and infill construction to the existing terminal with associated car parking, infrastructure, highways and environmental impact works.

There was a need to respond rapidly to construction issues, as building was being carried out around the existing terminal of a working airport. Scott Wilson had seen 3D+ presented by its long-time supplier CSC and the product appeared to offer a solution to the fast track construction programme. It gave Scott Wilson the flexibility and time savings that conventional 2D drawings in AutoCAD would not accommodate. The advantages of the software meant that Scott Wilson could improve performance on the project and help to progress communication between the design team.

The project architects, Leach Rhodes Walker are an experienced firm and provided the Client and Scott Wilson with a bold scheme to complement the surrounding airport buildings. Their design includes 3D design utilising Autodesk’s 3D Studio MAX.

With the limited time scale to produce working drawings and details for the contractor, the existing terminal building was modelled first. As more information became available from other design team members, the extension and infill areas, to the existing building, were then modelled. Scott Wilson’s Project Manager, Jim McNally, felt that going “live” with 3D+ would produce the best results. Scott Wilson’s technical team on the project was specially assembled because of their excellent technical skills and extensive AutoCAD experience, and together with assistance from CSC’s Support team, this provided the perfect backdrop for delivering a complex, prestigious project like Liverpool Airport Terminal to the Client.

Scott Wilson’s draughting team used the software ‘live’ on the project and were able derive the expected benefits from 3D+.

Scott Wilson’s CAD manager, David Mycock decided that Scott Wilson would create a number of models to allow multi working on the Terminal Building, thereby increasing productivity in producing the complete project details.

Paper drawings were produced from Liverpool Airport’s archive which were used by Scott Wilson to model the existing terminal building in 3D+.

It was decided that the integrated analysis and design aspects of 3D+ would not be utilised on this Project, since the fast track nature of the programme meant that the design was carried out in parallel with the CAD draughting. For this reason, together with the similarity of the user interface in both 3D+ and AutoCAD, technicians were chosen to do the modelling.

The 3D modelling also provided greater understanding of how the completed structure would look and how it would work. The automatic drawing production facility minimised the time taken to issue construction drawings to site.

On this project some useful areas of 3D+ were the system’s ability to identify and automatically update those 2D drawings that required to be re-issued, once a change to the central, structural model had taken place. In addition, the constantly up-to-date material lists were a great help in managing the contract.

The initial unfamiliarity was quickly overcome by Scott Wilson’s experienced team, who were able to provide feedback to the software vendor that will be beneficial in the future.

Significantly, around half the automatically created drawings did not require editing. A well-developed communication channel between the design team meant that CAD drawings received only minor amendment for Tender issue. For construction issue, additional details and notes were produced in both 3D+ and the normal 2D AutoCAD environment.

Progress on the Project was enhanced by the facility to export the modelled structure from 3D+ to other software packages such as StruCAD and XSteel, used by steelwork fabricators. This enabled further time savings to be made. This feature was particularly important, given that some unusual steel sections were being used, for instance, elliptical hollow steel columns along the front elevation of the Terminal building.

It is recognised by Scott Wilson, that with experienced staff, 3D+ can provide significant advantages in terms of time savings, greater visual awareness of a structure, and the ability to respond quicker to changes communicated to the design team.

Scott Wilson was established in 1954. They are an independent international firm of consultants, providing a full range of integrated planning, management, engineering and environmental services. The range of services offered includes comprehensive project management; preliminary investigations and advice; economic, environmental and technical feasibility studies; development planning; detailed design; planning supervisors; contract documentation and supervision of construction; maintenance planning and training. The Group employs over 2,500 staff in 40 locations worldwide, with around 1,100 in the UK.