BIM-based construction with lightweight concrete elements
In times of skilled labor shortages, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find skilled workers for construction trades. Even the availability of unskilled laborers who can be employed on construction sites is limited. Furthermore, cost pressure is currently greater than ever before. The use of prefabricated parts can facilitate assembly on the construction site. In contrast to the construction site, rationalization and automation are relatively easy to achieve in the prefabricated parts factory. This means that a more cost-effective and efficient construction method can be achieved with fewer personnel. In addition to the well-known hollow concrete wall elements and filigree ceilings, lightweight concrete elements are also manufactured in this way. The presentation will focus specifically on the BIM-based production of lightweight concrete elements.
The buildings are planned in 3D as early as the planning stage (phases 1-4). This structure is then used later for the factory planning (phase 5) and for further specialist planning. The collected specialist information is then finally brought together in the precast planning via the integral factory planning. Elements for production are then formed from the work planning, taking into account aspects such as crane location and logistics. These individual elements are then based not only on geometric data with external dimensions and recesses, but also on material-specific data on lightweight concrete and any integrated normal concrete lintels and beams. In addition, data for invoicing in the associated ERP system is also attached to the element.
This data is then transferred to production via an interface, where the elements are manufactured in a partially automated area and stored in the curing rack until they have hardened. The elements are mainly used as floor-to-ceiling load-bearing or non-load-bearing walls. They can also be used as monolithic exterior walls without additional ETICS. They can also be used as solid pitched roofs in application, but this is rather rare. The CO₂ footprint of the lightweight concrete elements is very low, while they also offer good sound and fire protection properties. This makes the elements suitable for residential and commercial construction.
