Can a parking lot deck or other major structure be entirely designed, analyzed, and detailed in one week?  Sounds impossible!  It soon will be reality with 3-D design technology and already available analysis and drafting programs.

This development will change the way we do business.

• There are two groups developing this technology. For background, click here.

• Both groups reviewed their progress at the PCI convention in October, 2004.
• Both have a completed model including "Ghosting" applications.  That means they have used their model in parallel with a design being done by conventional methods.
• Both groups have early versions being used by their sponsor companies.
• Both have updated their websites with the latest information.  Links can be found below.

• PCSC    The Prestressed Concrete Software Consortium website link has the following schedule.
• Currently    Finishing various software details
• 2004           Model released to Tekla as part of their concrete detailing package.  Interface with Leap Software analysis packages.
• 2005           Full commercial release, including erection drawings, shop tickets, engineering links

• StructureWorks    www.structureworks.netwebsite link Has following schedule.
• 2004       Pre-release version to charter group
• 2005       Commercial release to all North America clients. Training schedule has been implemented.

• Analytical Interface   Both systems have made provision to interface with CAD programs and engineering analytical software.  StructureWorks operates on the SolidWorks^R platform.  That platform interfaces with SolidWorks^R CAD and other SolidWorks^R models and AutoCad through DXF and DWG  StructureWorks is built directly on Microsoft SQL, an industry standard database.   The PCSC is being marketed by Tekla and interfaces with AUTOCAD.  LEAP software has linked their proprietary programs.  The growing availability of 3rd party software linked to each 3-D database will go a long way toward realizing the full benefits of the 3-D approach.

• Payoff is indeed significant.  That is the reason I am including this effort in my Management Bulletin.
• Reduction of engineering and design from today's 4-6 weeks to a few weeks.  This is vital to meeting job schedules.  It will change the way we do business.
• Engineering and drafting labor may be reduced by as much as 80%.
• Rework and errors will be sharply reduced.  In my view, this savings will ultimately exceed the cost savings in engineering and drafting once the linkage to production is made..
• Interface with management systems such as purchasing and production scheduling will sharply improve the effectiveness of these functions.
• Interface with automated production systems in the steel shop and bed setup will become a reality.  This is already a reality in Europe.

• What can Precast Consulting do?
• Most important, this capability should not be given away as a complimentary improvement in service.  It will command a premium price on jobs.  We have some ways to achieve that.
• We can identify successful application by others that have direct benefit to your operations.
• We can work with your staff to develop a cost-effective implementation plan.
• An implementation plan should include a marketing plan.
• An implementation plan should should contain a QC plan to prevent design & drafting errors.
• An implementation plan should include staffing implications.
• We are unbiased.  Precast Consulting has no proprietary interest in any 3-D technology or group.

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