-- COLLABORATE -- IMPROVE -- DELIVER --
Precast Design Assist & Project Development
Our design assist and project development workflows emphasize collaboration and transparency for all project stakeholders. Integrating our technical specialists into the initial design and development process reduces project risk, accelerates delivery, and ensures structures are built efficiently and with confidence.
Build Virtually
Concept
Architectural and structural prime consultant drawings or 3D models are provided to our team to establish the desired geometry, form, structural design loads, and criteria. These design materials form the foundation for our early coordination and BIM model development.
Integration
Our team creates a BIM model utilizing initial project geometry and parameters. As the design or model evolves, we review constructability, aligning the data with manufacturing requirements. In cases where 3D models are received from prime consultants, they can be used for geometry coordination, but we fully model all precast concrete components and connections in-house to suit the precast manufacturing accuracy required for fabrication.
Refinement
During the design assist stage, our personnel work closely with the project team to address and resolve issues identified in our initial precast BIM model. These items are communicated promptly so the project team can make informed decisions regarding the precast system cost efficiency and constructability.
Approval
KDA specialists host project workshops with the project teams to review our 3D BIM model visually, identifying interferences, detailing requirements, or other coordination issues that may need resolving. Our team leads these sessions “live” in the model so all parties can clearly understand and address conditions and issues in real time. Following each workshop, detailed minutes are prepared which include model snapshots, documenting resolutions and any required actions.
Fabrication
As the structural and architectural system designs are finalized, our 3D BIM model is updated to reflect those changes. The entire project team maintains full visibility into the precast model’s status, facilitating the oversight of outstanding resolutions, and assessing how design modifications may affect cost, schedule, or fabrication efficiency.
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Our engineers can assist the structural prime consultant by performing lateral load analysis, ensuring that the precast design coordinates with the foundation load conditions expected for the project. Final foundation loads are typically confirmed when design development is complete and final precast engineering and detailing are underway.
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We collaborate closely with project stakeholders to achieve optimal results in a cooperative, transparent process.
