Virtual Construction

The use of VIRTUAL CONSTRUCTION in the PCL family of companies means adding business value for our customers by adding quality AND saving time and money. Through the use of building information modeling (BIM) software, our PCL modeling professionals effectively “build the project twice”, once virtually and second actually. Conflicts and issues are avoided through this insight, and innovative ways to save time and money without sacrificing quality are discovered.

Build it Twice: First virtually and second actually

PCL’s modeling professionals use BIM software to build a digital representation of a project in the virtual world. By using this model to simulate the design, construction, and operation of a project, we are able to optimize the cost, time, and quality before a shovel is put into the ground, avoiding conflicts and cost issues, and delivering the project on time and on budget. This effectively allows us to “build the project twice”, once virtually and second actually.

How PCL Uses Virtual Construction to Add Value

Preconstruction Services

The visualization and communication opportunities that result from using virtual construction are the most significant during this phase. By combining BIM with PCL’s estimating, scheduling and planning tools and expertise, and previous project experience and knowledge, we can ensure that we optimize the project’s design, construction, and operation with respect to cost, time, and quality — adding value at every step of a project’s lifespan.

This is a collaborative effort, including key subcontractors and design team members, to produce optimal results by maximizing the team's involvement in addressing issues early on and minimizing or eliminating cost and schedule impacts.

Virtual construction also helps manage risk for each stakeholder. This is accomplished by collaboratively defining each of the project-specific risks, developing a strategy for managing each of these risks, and communicating these strategies with each stakeholder.

Construction Services

Combining BIM with PCL’s project management and scheduling systems helps ensure that the numerous activities required to build a project are managed and executed in the most efficient manner possible. The principal use of virtual construction during the process is in the coordination of building systems. By creating accurate models of each of these systems, we are able to run clash detection routines that find every clash between objects and find solutions to these clashes before they impact the cost and schedule of a project.

Client Testimonials

 “By incorporating schedule, manpower, and billings to the 3D model built during preconstruction, PCL provided us with a powerful tool helping our entire team understand the complexity of the project. This was also a very valuable component to our lenders package helping them grasp the scope and cash flow requirements for our project.”
—John Wallace, Senior Vice President of Construction, Western Region, Joseph Freed West

"PCL’s implementation of the BIM modeling tool proved to be instrumental in assuring the successful expansion of Memorial Hospital Central. The expansion on our existing site was complex by nature and the schedule was constrained by key milestones. I’m not sure if the schedule would have been met without the careful planning of the project team and the utilization of the modeling tool. I believe by using the BIM tool, potential delays were eliminated and cost associated with re-work was saved.”
—Greg Gauna, Director of Planning, Design, & Construction, Memorial Health System

Want to find out more about how PCL is using virtual construction to help clients save time and money without sacrificing quality and safety? Contact Warren Tutton in Canada at 780-733-5110.