Introduction:

There is no doubt that the civil engineering industry has long been played a key role
in positioning the urban city as a recognizable, dynamic and admired place whereby
it has been an instrumental driver of economic growth and enabler of social
development for many generations. Nowadays, the industry has also witnessed a
series of unsatisfactory incidents including the abundant and ambiguous design data
and associated discrepancy between the information in the course of the mega civil
infrastructure project. In the view of this concern, there are a myriad of the emerged
technology, such as the digitized design information, in order to address these
challenges. Conversely, some construction sites still demand traditional drawings
and schedules, as they believe them to be clearer, and more readily understood by
supply chains. In fact, the use of digital models is genuinely favourable to ensure a
bright and prosperous future in civil engineering industry.

Digital engineering package

Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA):

 To simplify the manufacturing of construction modules and enhance efficiency of
assembly. The construction components are manufactured with the most-
effective materials and processes at off-site facilities,
 To minimize operations on-site and assembling them at reduced cost, which
helps to enhance the quality of construction, minimize construction time and
enhance site safety.
 In order to apply DfMA successfully, the manufacturing process of the
components must be well understood and collaborative approaches must be
adopted.

Building Information Modelling BIM

3D Dimension: All About Geometry

 A digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of facility
creating a shared knowledge resource for information about it forming a reliable
basis for decisions during its life cycle, from earliest conception to demolition
  The use of BIM 3D model can visualize the assembly process of dfMA
construction modules, which enhances the design efficiency and accuracy of
DfMA construction solutions
 BIM technology can present the works design and site environment in a three-
dimensional (3-D) format, enabling the project team to grasp the details
accurately to identify and handle all sorts of potential problems more easily so
as to facilitate amendments. Simulated exercises can also be conducted to
improve the construction programme
 To carry out the 3D analysis for the conflict between the design data. Unlike the
use of traditional drawings and schedules, the BIM enable to consolidate the
design data to be collected from different parties, and detect the potential
conflicts in early stage, in particular to the separated design drawings. The
conflict would be occurred when the works are commenced concurrently.

4th Dimensions: Duration, Timeline & Scheduling

 Improved site planning and scheduling optimization

 Seamless coordination among architects, contractors, and on-site teams

 Better preparedness in terms of next steps during every construction stage

 Enhanced information sharing related to timeline expectations helping to

avoid costly delays

 Enhanced safety and efficiency due to documentation of an entire plan with

specific timelines

5th Dimension: Cost Estimation, Analysis, and Budgetary Tracking

 Real-time cost visualization with notification on changes in costs

 Automatic count for components/system/equipment associated with a

project

 Simplified cost analysis and budgetary analysis with predicted and actual
spends over time

 Minimization of budgetary offshoot due to regular cost reporting and

budgeting
Augmented reality
 Augmented reality offers a live direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world
environment where elements are augmented (or supplemented) by virtual
computer-generated sensory input (sound, video, graphics or GPS data).
 Users can visualise site limitations, detect clashes, and overlay time (from 4D-
BIM platforms) and cost information (from 5D-BIM platforms) to experience a
real time dry run of a project before real construction begins.
 A mix of reality and virtual reality. For example, using AR and video chat to
teleconference live with someone in another country to both explore and discuss
a hard-to-access place (e.g. a sub-sea tunnel), with information overlaid on
your view.

Digital Record of Work (dRoW) and Digital Works Supervision System (DWSS)

 In fact, the vast amounts of data will be generated during the construction stage
including as-built drawings, site surveying record drawings, the schedule of
Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) as well as the on-site testing results. The vast
and disparate data would be converted to digital data in nature. The Industry
should also consider how to better make use of this concept to enhance
performance.

 Data transparency for a project owner is often satisfactory with the aid of
digisation method, the complex supply chains in modern day management
would be improved with different kinds of digisation method that are detailed as
follows:
 It represent an aspirational approach for major project delivery organisations, so
as to allow the vast and diverse site data to be digitized to more commonly as
well as to use the digitization for consolidating the site recording, material
schedule, the as-built drawing , enabling proactive and more accurate risk
identification, mitigation and management;
 To convey the schedule/form of inspection record in respect of the digitsation so
as to enhance the standard and efficiency of work supervision as well as the
 quality and safety of works. The adoption of DWSS will certainly increase
productivity, enhance regulation and quality assurance for the industry.
 The correct application of these technologies provides a means of improving
project information management by offering a clear demonstration of the ‘live
status’ of a project, enabling timely and accurate decisions to be made, which
can ultimately lead to reduced cost and schedule if used correctly.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles  (UAVs)

 Site inspections – close examination of high-risk areas, and speedy overviews
of large sites, freeing up time for other tasks.
 Health and sfety Induction – site plans can be quickly and efficiently updated to
show where different works are taking place (such as lifts and excavations),
ensuring that operatives stay safe.
 Crane, tower and scaffolding inspections – a much easier method of inspecting
high structures, providing real-time footage to spot anomalies. This
reduces site downtime and mitigates risks of personnel having to work at height.
 Site planning – overviews can be obtained quickly to inform planning sessions.
 360° panoramas – a more immersive experience to enhance appreciation of
potential hazards and site orientation.
 Site teams identified other potential uses to be trialled and measured:
 Logistics planning - many sites are large and change rapidly over a short
period. Drones can be used to provide dynamic visualisation, flagging up
potential impacts and issues that might otherwise be overlooked, for example,
large plant movement and arrangements.
 Live feeds - these can be beamed directly to a control room for inspection
requirements such as crane clearance, logistics and personnel movement,
allowing for real-time decision making, saving time from errors, reducing
previously-unidentified risks, and improving quality by aiding the decision-
making process.

Attracting Young Engineer to adopt Digitisation:

 Reinvigorating the appeal and benefits of using the means of digitsation and the
Industry to attract and nurture growing numbers of young and energetic talent to
the workforce and increasing the agility at the individual, organisational and
industrial levels.
 Providing an appealing career proposition to future generations of skilled talent
employee towards the digitsation field, such as the BIM modellor, whilst offering
a supportive and respective environment that fosters continuous learning,
development and knowledge of using the digitsation method, such as the the
BIM model training and sharing within the workforce.
 Create an environment where young professionals are nurtured and developed
to use the digitsation method and the civil engineering professional take the
responsibility to promote the concept of continuous knowledge transfer for the
long term benefit of the digitsation

“Civil engineering  shapes the world and  digital

engineering  is shaping civil engineering. How can we use

that  technology  to make a difference

for  industry,  governments  and for  society?”

Rapidly growing population and urbanisation has led to an increased political pressure
from the government and tougher marketing/trading conditions on the current
construction industry. In addition, financial bodies and project sponsors have higher
expectations as the investment is primarily influenced by the cost and project certainty
that seeks to generate a significant value for money. Consequently, risk management
has become a critical concern to attract any form of investment. Therefore, digital
engineering plays a significant role within the construction industry that has aided in
identifying, assessing and mitigating risks while improving project certainties.

The primary purpose of digital engineering within the construction industry has been
in improving services provided to the relevant investors and stakeholders as it
facilitates capturing, distributing and managing data more efficiently. This can
support decision making practices to increase efficiency, minimise risk and create
further opportunities to improve our current practices. As a result, digital engineering
can also influence the quality of project deliverables that can leave a positive legacy
for the user communities. In addition, enabling the ability to collectively utilise
project data in a shared and collaborative environment can ensure all parties to have
an input on the evolution of solutions that can be identified, developed and validated
from design and construction to operation and maintenance phase of a project.

Digital engineering package such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and

3D/additive printing technologies can revolutionise construction industry’s approach
to design and engineering while supporting opportunities to accommodate the
implementation of advanced materials and production methods. Subsequently, this
can provide the industry with prospects of expanded design possibilities, reduced
waste generation and reduced health and safety risks. Furthermore, visualised and
simulated project models can safeguard for potential conflicts during the life cycle of
an asset as this can allow for the rehearsal of construction and operation in a virtual
environment. Consequently, this will result in an added public safety and minimised
construction risk prior to mobilisation phase of the project. This advantage can
potentially reduce the start-up time for projects. For major projects where government
is the primary client, this will not only translate to a reduced initial cost but also
provide an opportunity to demonstrate the efficiency and sustainability of
implementing digital engineering within construction industry.

In general, digital engineering has become a focal step in shaping civil engineering.
This advancement has resulted in the development of practical and sustainable
solutions intended to minimise environmental impact while ensuring a positive
growth for the society. The benefits of these outcomes will assure confidence and
further encourage the government and financial institutions to support the industry as
digital engineering will have a significant influence in governing the future of
construction. Whilst, numbers of organisations have started to integrate the
development, further responsive measures need to be taken by government and
legislative bodies to encourage and support this technology driven growth.