presentation by Eric Lindquist (Adjustable Forms) given - via Skype - to ThinkBIM event in Leeds, 4 December 2013

1. Leveraging BIM Throughout The
Construction Process
A Specialty Contractor ’s Perspective
Eric Lindquist
Project Manager
elindquist@adjustableforms.com
www.adjustableforms.com

2. Company
Headquarters in Lombard, IL United States. Focused on work in Chicagoland area
In business since 1930.
Horizontal formwork till 1998 - Transition to full cast in place (in situ) concrete frames
Top 20 Commercial Building Concrete Contractor in the US.
Annual Revenue $30-100M/year (£19M -60M)
75-450 employees → Very lean office rela;ve to field opera;ons
Small company performing large and complex work

3. Typical Projects

4. Overview
Utilization BIM as an In-Situ Concrete Contractor
Why Tekla is the preferred BIM software as a concrete contractor
Reasons for choosing Tekla
Benefits
How Adjustable Forms Implements BIM in its operations
Preconstruction Phase
Construction
Project Turnover
How can we justify the software in our environment
As a specialty contractor without leverage
Contractual Requirements (or lack thereof)
Project Case Studies
1K Fulton Offices
Franklin & Illinois Apartments
Northwestern University North Campus Garage

5. Utilizing BIM
A Specialty Contractor’s Perspective
Finding the absolute best product for the intended application.
Don’t get locked into an ecosystem → Use the tools that help your business most.
Designer’s BIM or Detailed Data Driven Construction BIM?
Focused BIM software for structural trades.
Compatibility through the IFC file format.
Software companies must play nice.
Architects/Engineering/General Contractors must be more open minded.
Remember what the “I” stands for in BIM.
Emphasis on the aesthetic in the Construction and Design Communities.
“Hollywood BIM” can stay with the general contractors and marketers.
Usability and Stability of Software
Reasonable Hardware Requirements
Fast and fluid modeling capabilities
Tekla allows the user to approach a task in many different ways.
Highly customizable through Open API / Extensions

6. Tekla Structures
How AF utilizes Tekla Structures as an In-Situ Concrete Contractor
Preconstruction Modeling
Quantity Takeoff/Extraction
Drawing coordination and issues identified early in process. Ask the questions before the
concrete is being delivered.
Communication Tool: Owners, General Contractors, Field
Construction Modeling
Refine Preconstruction Model (the hard work is already done)
Tekla BIMSight
Schedule Loading (4D Modeling)
Drawing Coordination & RFI’s > 3D PDF
Reinforcing Steel Detailing
Shoring Layout & Drawings
Safety Systems
Project Turnover
3D As-Builts of structural frame
Prepare for more robust requirements trickling down from ownership.

7. Adjustable Forms Use of BIM
Leveraging BIM as a Specialty Contractor (Who Can’t Control the BIM Process Upstream)
Q: How can a small specialty contractor
justify investing in BIM?
Not required by contract (yet…)
Not fully utilized by majority of
General Contractors
Competitors aren’t using it (and the
ones who don’t “get it” don’t have
any plans to start)
A: Integrate the technology into as much
of internal operations as possible.
Only utilize BIM if faster, more
efficient, and more accurate.
Avoid “modeling for the sake of
modeling”
Leverage data across multiple areas
of work.

8. Preconstruction Phase
BIM Implementation Before We Get the Job
Develop Preconstruction Models
Design files, models, or none of the above? Did the designer cheat?
4D Schedule Loading
Quan;ty Extrac;on → Export Files → Import to Es;ma;ng → Bid
Modeling = Minimize impact of unfit numbers from competition.
Buy-in from GC’s → Coordina;on and logis;cs benefits prior to construction.

9. Project Case Study
1K Fulton Office Facility (Google, SRAM) Chicago, IL
Existing cold storage facility in
Chicago’s Meatpacking District
Existing Facility Work
Supplemental Structural Infills
Topping Slabs
Elevator Bay
New Structure
Seven Story cast in place frame
200,000 sf

16. Project Case Study
1K Fulton Office Facility (Google, SRAM) Chicago, IL
Scope Revisions after meeting with General Contractor and Ownership.
Scope Reductions Tagged In Model
Visualization Settings set to display only bid revisions.
Absolute clarity
Scope “equalizer”

17. Project Case Study
Franklin & Illinois Apartments Chicago, IL
Foundations under
construction
Main Contractor Lend Lease
290,000 sf
26 Story Apartment Tower in
Chicago’s River North
Neighborhood
6 Levels of Parking

22. Construction Phase
Rebar Steel Modeling & Model Based Shop Drawings
Mandate on AF Projects
Detailers/Fabricators have responded with
widespread investment in Tekla
Success on multiple projects
Fabricators embracing BIM
Modeling → Drawing Crea;on →
Fabrication
Industry consolidation = tighter control =
better models
Efficiencies
Custom Component creation & tools
Identify congestion zones, installation
issues, & problems.

23. Project Case Study
Northwestern University North Campus Parking Garage – Evanston, IL
Main Contractor: Lend Lease
7 Story Parking Garage
Split into three phases to accommodate
GC logistics.
Complex Project & Design Issues
37 drawng revisions through
275 RFI’s
Additional 2 levels of parking
garage added.

30. Leveraging BIM
Embracing Technology Improve
Why are you using BIM or investigating BIM Software?
1. Have specific reasons – not just because everybody else is doing it.
2. This is not just marketing software.
3. What part of your business is struggling?
Where to start?
1. Get the right people making the decisions.
2. Start small. Better to be an expert in one area and expand.
Avoid workflow misconceptions.
1. It’s a (fill-in-the-blank BIM software job) so I’m stuck using what the design team uses.
2. I don’t have the resources or a “BIM specialist.” Break down traditional contractor positions.
3. Compatibility across platforms has never been better (IFC, import files, etc)

31. Questions?
1 East Progress Rd. Lombard, IL 60148
p: (630) 953-8700| | e: hiring@adjustableforms.com