Virtual Design & Construction

Small Unmanned Aerial Systems are becoming a common tool on Hensel Phelps projects. By integrating this technology into our daily processes we are able to provide our project teams accurate real time data onsite. This same data allows our Superintendents to verify excavations quantities, track progress, enhance safe material handling, site access, and maximize our logistics plans. Our Safety Managers are able to perform safety inspections with this same technology helping to make our sites even safer. Once constructed, we are able to capture as-built conditions and even detect heat loss from the building envelops with the infrared cameras mounted on the small Unmanned Aerial Systems.

Hensel Phelps through the use of Augmented and Virtual Reality has allowed project teams to visualize the design overlaid on existing features in its final intended location on site, which allows for a more immersive viewing environment. Using Mixed Reality in conjunction with Head Mounted Displays, the user can experience a hands-free visualization of the model, which in turn expands the capabilities of workers on site. Project team members, including our owners are able to visualize everything from Operating Rooms to Data Centers allowing us to get to Design completion much faster than we have in the past. Once on site, we have been able to reduce rework tremendously by validating install ensuring that all systems are installed in the correct locations the first time!

Hensel Phelps is in the midst of working with key partners to develop ways to leverage Artificial Intelligence in the Construction Space. The recognition that the amount data is growing on every project and our ability as the human to process and analysis this data is extremely limited and inefficient, we are looking to leverage Machine and Deep Learning to help us better understand this data and in real time. With the ability to have the machine recognize the uniqueness within millions of different data points automatically it will give our project team members the best information possible to make critical decisions.

Hensel Phelps’ laser scanning experience informs decisions regarding which level of scanning is required, scanning accuracy and density, and most importantly, when a model is required or when point cloud scanning data is sufficient to communicate the information to the project team. This type of industry-leading understanding of the as-built laser scanning process has a significant impact on managing costs and efficiently producing existing conditions documentation and assets.

A Digital Twin is a virtual asset, usually a 3D model reproduction, representing a physical object, process or system where the virtual and physical assets communicate with each other via a data stream. Hensel Phelps utilizes digital twins internally to improve supply chain management, staffing, scheduling and commissioning to deliver higher quality buildings as well as conditioned, data-rich BIM and facilities management deliverables to our clients. Hensel Phelps has assisted numerous clients in developing and expanding their digital twin standards that allow them to integrate digital twins into their facilities’ new or existing real estate portfolio management, computerized maintenance and management systems (CMMS), building automation systems (BAS) and space management systems.

Visualization is the process in which both 2D and 3D digital deliverables are generated from a project design or representing construction processes. Hensel Phelps produces rendered deliverables that cover the entire spectrum of quality, from sketches to photorealistic reproductions. While print deliverables are still a popular format for visualizations, the Hensel Phelps team excels at its ability to provide 3D digital deliverables in the forms of animations, virtual reality tours and mock-ups for desktop or VR wearable experiences and augmented reality simulations delivered to desktop applications, mobile devices and AR wearables.