Advantages of Using 3-D CAD Plant Models on the Construction Site

Abstract: For many engineering and construction firms, the majority of a project's total cost is often incurred in the construction phase. In order to address the productivity and profitability of construction projects, one has to consider a variety of factors. This paper presents new techniques that RUST International has employed to address construction cost reduction. It focuses on using the intelligence built into the three-dimensional (3-D) computer-aided design (CAD) plant model during design and applying it to construction project management at the job site. The Jacobus Technology JSpace system is used for modeling and interacting with the large and complex 3-D plant model. Applications developed by RUST on the JSpace platform, which provide for construction planning, material control, and support of plant startup, will be introduced. The analysis shows that use of the 3-D CAD model on the job site can provide substantial reductions in work hours and office costs, provide marked reductions in craft labor costs, and help reduce bulk material surplus as well as shorten project schedules. The system is shown to be an effective communication tool in bringing engineers, contractors, and owners together by using advanced 3-D animation of the plant.