Team and Technology

Session 15:
The Wellington Town Hall Strengthening Project

Speakers
Tony Fitzwater & Justin Rowe
Holmes Consulting Group
Session layout

• Introductions etc.
• How we got here.
• Technology and workflow behind the project.
• Team Communication.
• Changing Face of the industry.
• Where else do we use this technology.
• Summary
• Questions
Session Description
• In this session we will be looking at a real world project that is still currently active.
• We will look at the use of Revit as the main modelling tool.
• The integration of secondary tools and support programmes such as, Point Cloud
survey, Scan to Bim, Cost-ex and Navisworks.
• We will cover the changing face of engineering and structural drafting with the use of
the latest technology along with the learning from Christchurch since September 2010.
• The integration of all of these processes and systems and how we are now working to
strengthen some of New Zealand’s major historic and significant buildings such as the
Wellington Town Hall.
• We will look at the changing face of the design team with structural engineering teams
taking the lead role with support from architects, surveyors, MEP, QS and contractors
working together on the main model project.
• We will cover learning around the use of Point Cloud technology
• Development of the construction process, sequencing, project planning and 4D time
lines.
• Who’s in the Room.
• A small variation from the original description.
How we got here

• RTC 2010 - 2013

• A brief history of our experience in building strengthening.
• The lessons learnt in Christchurch.
• A brief history of our use of each of the technologies in Christchurch.
• How these all came together to during this project.
We sometimes
conveniently
forget we live in
a highly
seismically
active country
The Arts Centre 29 buildings one site
The Arts Centre 29 buildings one site
Typical Photo Pre September 2011
Typical damaged

Note the damage to the gable end

above the window
Raw point cloud data
localised point cloud data
Localised Point Cloud Data to Revit Model

Partially completed Revit Partially completed Revit

model of the Arts Centre model of the Arts Centre
with Point Cloud data without Point Cloud data
overlaid overlaid
Final Revit Model
Concept Construction Methodology
 Construction Methodology Review

• Images used to confirm construction methodology with Heritage Architect

 Construction Documentation

• Completed files linked together to form a FMM

Construction Documentation
Wellington Town Hall Basic Facts

• Building built in 1906 on reclaimed foreshore land.

• Ground floor area (footprint): 3280m2.
• Building weight above isolation plane (approx ground floor and above): 11500 tonnes.
• Suffered earthquake damage during the 40's, the clock tower and some architectural
detail was removed.

• The client (Wellington City Council), early on saw the benefits in having the building
laser scanned for two reasons:
1. In order to get an accurate snapshot of the building from which to build a FMM
model and document the strengthening works.
2. To capture the key internal and external heritage aspect of the building in its current
state.
Wellington Town Hall Basic Facts

• The survey work comprised both standard 2D surveying and 3D laser scanning.
Therefore a detailed survey brief was required in order to tender the work.

• The Revit model was built primarily from the point cloud data, in addition to 2D survey
information, photographs and from site visits to check areas not quite clear, or to verify
structural elements not collected from the surveying.

• In terms of strengthening the building. Until now the work carried out on the Town Hall
has largely been 'securing works' or refurbishment only - the most recent being in the
1990's when parts of the Town Hall were altered / refurbished and a new plant room
constructed. The strengthening work we are planning is a major intervention; by way
of base isolation and additional strengthening / bracing of other building elements.

• The design intent is to cut the buildings' foundations just below ground floor level and
incorporate 132 lead rubber bearings and 47 slider bearings. In addition, new structure
to support these bearings will be built into the existing brick walls. The lead rubber
bearings are approx 800mm in diameter with steel base plates top and bottom bolted
in place. The rubber sections have a lead core and horizontal steel shims moulded
into the rubber, as per image shown later. The slider bearings are a large base plate
with a small puck capable of sliding in all directions across the base plate.
Technology and workflow behind the
project

• Laser Scanning A quick overview, as it has already been covered at RTC 2013 in detail
• Scan To Bim. A third part software and its involvement
• Revit!
• Navisworks
• Base isolation
• 3D Printing
External Point Cloud Basic Facts

• Total points captured: 525,205,082 (millions of points)

• 109 survey setup points.
• Point Cloud total file size: 47.3 Gb.
• Point Cloud divided into 3 external files and 6 internal segments to work with.
• Time required to build the as-built model: 2.5 months including all verification visits to
site.
• One Skilled Drafter to distil the information.
Partial External Point Cloud With RGB Colour
Assigned during the scanning process
Revit model with external point cloud
data overlaid.

Enlarged view showing how

close to reality the model can
get (ignoring the feature The exterior form of the modeled
plaster work) building sitting accurately within the
outline of the point cloud data
Section Thru Revit model with external
point cloud data overlaid.

Images show the building structure

fitting within the envelope of the
scanned data. It is very difficult to
otherwise attain this level of ‘as built
information’ by using traditional
survey methods
Completed Revit
model with proposed
piling and external
point cloud data
overlaid.
Completed as built Revit
model without external point
cloud data overlaid.
Cut away section through
completed model with
proposed piling and base
isolation structure
 IMAGINiT Scan to Bim.

• IMAGINiT Scan to Bim a must have for managing Laser Scan data.
• Easy to pick up and use. First day results.
• Revit by it self is not up to the task.
• Support and back up.

Revit

• Backbone of the project. Would have been a very different project with out it.
• Learn to use it well be smart with it.
• Understand its short comings.
• USE it accurately and correctly.
 Navisworks

• Clash detection between disciplines

• Construction sequencing
• 4D timelines
• Contractor is also using Navisworks and taking its output trough cost X to help with
general project management.
 Base Isolation

Base isolator as we like to see them You don’t want to see one working like this

Base isolator in testing.

2x Photo types tested to maximum design loads.
Up to 20% of isolators are tested to a lesser degree before instillation.
Base Isolation
Expensive and a life saver
Base Isolation
3D Printing

• $1500 100 x 100 x 110

• $2000 120 x 120 x 130
• Export directlyInexpensive
from Revit as and
a STLan
Fileeffective communication tool
3D Printing

Inexpensive and an effective communication tool

Communication
• A review of people, technology, software and the checks and balances.

• As lead Consultants we are calling the shots, setting the tone and establishing the
ground rules. This ranged from running meetings, through to full project management
role.

• As Engineers the perception is that we like big and simple solutions which are not
always the most attractive. Therefore we always had our solutions reviewed by the
Architect and Heritage Architect prior to them being issued to the team.

• This would set the structural strengthening route that we felt was needed. The Architect,
Contractor and the MEP teams then worked with this information / Model. They then
provided feedback on potential changes / fine tuning as they developed their
respective parts of the projects. This helped facilitate the coordination process.
Communication

• Point Cloud data moved around the teams on a hard drive.

• “No egos” everyone on the project team is very open, flexible in their approach,
willing to shear data, drawings etc. This resulted in a great atmosphere that is easy to
operate in and meant there haven't been any issues.

• Model protocols etc were discussed by the team at this early stage and agreed to.
Then we all just got on with it and made the project happen.

• We looked at Revit Server at the starting point of the project. At the time nobody from
the team had experience with it so we put it aside. Having said that we have used it in
house to manage the day to day use of the Revit file.
Changing Face of the industry
An overview of the team structure and their roles.
The Architect:

• Added architectural content to the base project model to build their own project
model.
• This included all the usual data, Doors, Windows, Balustrades Etc.
• Heritage finishes were also added, such as external cornices Corinthian capitals etc.
• Dilapidation reports on the buildings linings and finishes were completed.
• Specified replacement and or repair to finishes after structural strengthening had
occurred.
• Therefore the Architect had to fully document the internal and external finishes of the
building. This was completed fully in Revit in the traditional way, using plans elevations
etc but also included a lot of digital material embedded into the drawings.

• MEP team came on board at the same time as architect

• Both Architects and MEP team built their own as built models from ours before adding
their own specialist components.
Changing Face of the industry
An overview of the team structure and their roles.
The Architect:
Changing Face of the industry
An overview of the team structure and their roles.
The Heritage Architect:

• The Heritage Architect

• Has had previous experience with the building and knew it well.
• Kept the design team on its toes to ensure we were all sympathetic to the building
history
• From day 1 of the developed design stage the H.A. sat in on all meetings and
reviewed options put forward by all teams to insure that the Heritage fabric of the
building had minimal damage. This review is still going on today through the final
design stage.
Changing Face of the industry
An overview of the team structure and their roles.
The Structural Engineer:

• HCG worked closely with the client to establish a scope of works.

• HCG advised the client on the selection of the main consultants that make up the
design team but did not have a say on the final choice made.
• HCG worked closely with the client in the selection of the main contractor and MEP
team.
• HCG established the initial brief and or Scope of work for each discipline.
• These have evolved over the initial developed design period as dilapidation surveys
and reports were undertaken.
Changing Face of the industry
An overview of the team structure and their roles.
The Lead Contractor:

• Lead Contractor took on all the usual roles.

• Brought into the team very early. During the developed design stage.
• Lead contractor worked very closely with the design team to help develop practical
and cost effective solutions.
• Effectively becoming a part of the design team.
• Very savvy with software, technology and know how to get the most out of it.
• Will stay involved in design team until the project is completed.
Where else do we use this technology

• Boiler house external. Revit model with Point Cloud data overlaid
Where else do we use this technology
• Boiler house internal
Where else do we use this technology
• Public Pool Complex Point cloud data only
Where else do we use this technology
• Quality of the files
Where else do we use this technology
• Interactive Files
Summary

• This technology is becoming more and more commonplace.

• There are very real advantages in using it from an existing / as built perspective in
order to achieve the highest level of accuracy and therefore less queries from the
contractor once on site.
• Laser data / point cloud - get into it don’t be afraid.
• From a heritage point of view, the ability to capture a building in great detail as it
currently stands.
• From the perspective of working on an existing building when little or no information is
available then the ability to capture a building in great detail as it currently stands is
invaluable.
• From the perspective of working on an existing building with drawings is still a great
tool to provide additional information.
• IMAGINiT Scan to Bim a must have for managing Scan data.
• Team work / team structure and good open communication will solve any issue.
• Revit as good as it is, its still needs third party support.
Questions?