The Digitization of Offsite Construction

How is digitization disrupting construction? What will be the impact of generative design on the built environment?

Moderator: Art Schmon, Managing Director IWBC and Partner, Forest Economic Advisors

Breakout Topic:
Offsite Technology: Putting it to Work in Your Homes
Stephen Keller, MiTek

An AI Software Tool which Designs I-joist Floors Automatically
Luke Whale, PhD, Technical Director Earlybird Technologies Ltd.
-This presentation describes the development of what is believed to be the first Artificial Intelligence software tool to produce structural designs and framing layouts in the wood construction industry. Cutting edge AI technology has been used by a team of PhD-level researchers from Brainpool Ltd to create a fully functioning automated AI software tool which designs and produces framing layouts for I-joist floors without the need for design technicians. Based on priorities set by the user, the tool can produce framing layouts which either minimize material costs, maximize factory production speed or are the simplest to install on the job site. It presents manufacturers with the opportunity to reduce design bottlenecks, lead-times and overheads, as well as empowering building designers to see directly, at concept stage, what the implications of their design decisions might be on both structural feasibility and likely component costs. The presentation will include a demonstration of the tool, which is already in use in UK, and will provide details of the compelling business case which led to its development. The tool can link directly to REVIT for its dimensional input and can export its completed floor layout back to REVIT as a full 3D BIM model. In a parallel development, for more conventional 2D building plans, a further AI algorithm is under development which will read dimensional information directly from 2D DWG/DXF drawings or PDF files, as input into the framing tool. Finally, opportunities are discussed to extend the use of the tool in the US EWP industry, as well as possibilities for the development of similar tools for use by other industry sectors such as CLT, light frame wall construction or floor/roof truss fabrication.

Breakout Topic:
Generative Design & Offsite Construction; Opportunities with Design & Planning Automation
Thomas Strong, Principal, Wired Construction

-Technology is enabling new ways to develop and test solutions. As our industry becomes more standardized around a “kit of parts” we should fully expect that the design process to configure these elements to find the best solution for a specific site will become more and more automated. Design is becoming more data driven and the creative problem solving process is now a combination of the use of technologies that produce solutions using computation and simulation while considering factors influenced by pro forma targets, construction simulations, supply chain, site considerations and design aesthetics.
-This presentation will provide a brief introduction to parametric modelling, generative Design, digital tools and the potential impact of these new processes and technologies to the offsite building industry.
-A number of new technologies and products will be highlighted that can be used at various stages of the planning and execution stages of modular projects.