Virtual Design Construction

Virtual design construction (VDC) uses emerging technologies to virtually build a project prior to the construction activities happen on site. This “construction” of a digital twin virtual model allows for workforce planning, construction optimization and potential risks to be identified and worked through well ahead of construction.

Using this methodology and technology construction projects can realize significant savings in both cost and schedule. The ability to anticipate potential issues before they develop “in the field” provides for many opportunities to mitigate and eliminate them.

Along with optimizing construction with the digital twin, VDC also assists in accurate material purchasing and can even assist in training and commissioning well ahead of the final operation of the project.

Trotter & Morton VDC

Trotter & Morton has developed an in-house VDC process based on our many years of construction across all our sectors. We use industry-standard platforms like Revit, SysQue and Navisworks to ensure highly accurate 3D modelling and interoperability with our clients.

We are able to take engineering design intent models and uprate them to full fabrication models while identifying and eliminating any issues that can come about.

Using these highly accurate fabrication-ready 3D models we are able to communicate with our clients using the final production 3D models to show exactly how their project will progress.

Detailed planning, simulation and training can all be built on top of these models including full virtual reality walkthroughs before anything happens on site.

Reality Capture

As part of our drive to innovate Trotter & Morton has invested in the tools to enable full reality capture using 3D Laser scanning. Using units like the Trimble X7 we are able to quickly and accurately capture the exact real-world status of our client’s facilities. This information is then fed into our 3D modelling processes allowing us to immediately identify possible site issues or challenges before anything happens on site. This allows very early mitigations to be developed with all the stakeholders in the project.

We are deploying this technology on the majority of our projects. We have found that even green-field projects benefit from regular accurate 3D scans allowing progress to be accurately tracked and any as-built deviations to be immediately identified in the 3D model ensuring a complete digital twin upon project completion.