The efficiency and accuracy of design is critical for construction success. The realization of design is dependent on complete and coordinated design documents that are finalized through the submittal process. This process involves the transfer of design intent from the architect and engineer to the specialty trade contractor for the production of shop drawings. The use of information technology to increase the ability to meet this intent is not being fully utilized today. A case study was selected on the campus of Texas A&M University to investigate the impacts of CAD on the submittal process. The project was selected because it utilized both hand and CAD methods to produce shop drawings. The data collected included all contract documents, submittals, submittal logs, and interviews with the project participants. A comparative analysis was made between the shop drawings that were completed by hand and those that were done by CAD. An analysis quantified the number of notes and corrections made by the reviewers during the submittal process. A separate analysis was made of the number of errors in the interpretation and transferring of background information from the contract documents in the shop drawing production. Finally, interviews were conducted with the project participants to determine the cost associated with utilizing CAD to produce shop drawings. Although based on a single case study, the data showed that CAD had important impacts on the submittal process. The data suggests that when CAD is used to produce shop drawings, there are significantly less notes or corrections by the reviewers. It also suggests that the electronic transfer of design data from the architect and engineer to the subcontractor can ensure better design accuracy and lower overall project cost.

The efficiency and accuracy of design is critical for construction success. The realization of design is dependent on complete and coordinated design documents that are finalized through the submittal process. This process involves the transfer of design intent from the architect and engineer to the specialty trade contractor for the production of shop drawings. The use of information technology to increase the ability to meet this intent is not being fully utilized today. A case study was selected on the campus of Texas A&M University to investigate the impacts of CAD on the submittal process. The project was selected because it utilized both hand and CAD methods to produce shop drawings. The data collected included all contract documents, submittals, submittal logs, and interviews with the project participants. A comparative analysis was made between the shop drawings that were completed by hand and those that were done by CAD. An analysis quantified the number of notes and corrections made by the reviewers during the submittal process. A separate analysis was made of the number of errors in the interpretation and transferring of background information from the contract documents in the shop drawing production. Finally, interviews were conducted with the project participants to determine the cost associated with utilizing CAD to produce shop drawings. Although based on a single case study, the data showed that CAD had important impacts on the submittal process. The data suggests that when CAD is used to produce shop drawings, there are significantly less notes or corrections by the reviewers. It also suggests that the electronic transfer of design data from the architect and engineer to the subcontractor can ensure better design accuracy and lower overall project cost.

With the creation and continuous enhancement of Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, innovations in the area of computer modeling for the construction industry have brought numerous benefits in terms of precision, operability, extensibility, and time-cost savings, among others. Nevertheless, the construction industry is one which continually demands innovation and efficiency in design, leading to the introduction of newer modeling approaches to satisfy client needs. The central thinking behind this research, then, has to do with the automation and generation of construction drawings for the home building industry based on 3D and parametric modeling techniques, and the utilization of the best practice for the platform-frame method. Homebuilders in Canada often build without construction drawings due to the high cost and extensive time expenditure associated with their production; instead, the industry relies on trades personnel to build from architectural model designs. This poor practice contributes to the accumulation of material waste and other construction quality issues. The underlying basis for this research is the notion of adding structure to information, both by incorporating intelligence into a set of operational commands and by adding innovation to the construction process. These topics have been incorporated into a 3D CAD solid model to demonstrate the importance of communicating information from consultants to trades and contractors. 3D and parametric modeling provide the foundation for this complex analysis, which focuses on the generation of panelized and site-built dwellings. The minimization of construction wood materials through the use of mathematical models and a search for best combinations of nominal lumber, sheathing and drywall has been added to this research as an aim to become more efficient. Mathematical optimization models are used to verify the concept for efficient cutting layouts for one- and two-dimensional elements. This research sets out to demonstrate, by underscoring the present shortcomings, the manner in which 3D and parametric modeling will provide a solution for practitioners and researchers who wish to reduce drafting time and material waste production; to incorporate intelligence to CAD models; and to provide a better use of primary resources by generating guidelines for construction practice. / Construction Engineering and Management

No description available.