Construction waste is not only harmful to the environment, it also cuts into budgets and reduces a project's overall performance.
One of the most common causes of waste in the construction industry is the habit of ordering more than you think you need. The amount of concrete ordered is a case in point. Quite often, the planning and calculation of concrete quantities is done manually. In a hurry, nobody wants to risk ordering too little concrete for pouring, and the waste created by "ordering more just in case" is accepted.
Formwork is another example. Ordering extra formwork elements just in case and ending up with construction waste when these elements are not used. But there are many other forms of waste that go beyond material waste. Inefficiency leads to significant waste. Overlapping tasks, duplication of work and rework all result in wasted productivity and have a negative effect on project progress, which risks going over budget and behind schedule.
A growing number of construction companies are finding that most construction waste can be reduced or eliminated by adopting a constructible process using digital tools and information in building information models (BIM).
But what does this mean? In a constructible process, all phases and trades are modeled and connected. The models include construction-ready content that is easily accessible thanks to open formats. Constructible models enable smarter, more streamlined processes in the office and in the field.
A key element in this process is the data-rich, constructible 3D model, which goes beyond simple geometry and contains intelligent, accurate information that can be used throughout the project lifecycle. For example, a constructible concrete model will be complete with accurate pours including information such as surfaces, volumes, concrete mix and cost codes, as well as details of reinforcement, inserts and formwork.
