WET News

NOVEMBER 2017 WET NEWS 9 PROJECT SPECS • Embrace the technical revolution • Enhance collaboration within the sector • Ensure core safety principles are not compromised TECHKNOW • 3D models, simulations and immersive visualisations enable project plans to be tested in the virtual world • Mixed reality is making inroads into the construction sector through the Microsoft Hololens device • VR can be used to familiarise new workers with the sounds found on treatment works THE VERDICT "The technological revolution is a great opportunity for the sector. Those who embrace the changes will witness benefits to cost, productivity and safety…" Damon Webster, MWH NEED TO KNOW 1 Inaccurate and outdated 2D drawings have, in some cases, led to miscommunications between project teams 2 Engineers are not utilising visualisation to its full potential 3 British employees work an average of 38 days a year more than those is Germany output jump-started by tech. With discussions around technology oen come con- cerns surrounding jobs and employment, it is important that we dispel some of the myths on this topic. A report by consultancy firm PwC found that 30% of jobs in Britain were potentially under threat from breakthroughs in artifi- cial intelligence (AI).* Most relevant of all was that the research found that the water, sewage and waste manage- ment industries have the high- est proportion of jobs facing potential high risks of automation. We must, however, be very careful about how we interpret findings like these. The bottom line is that technology will not steal jobs, it will encourage the profession to focus on jobs which technology cannot han- dle, allowing engineers to be engineers. Even in modern economies there are very few workforces that do not get frustrated with the more mundane, time con- suming and inefficient pro- cesses. What we need to imagine is an industry where digitalisation can solve these frustrating issues, enabling us to conduct the more reward- ing, creative tasks we are qual- ified to carry out on behalf of our customers. Adventurous Technology will not cause the demise of the engineer. In fact, it has the potential to make our sector more collaborative. It can empower engineers as it allows for spaces to be created where the client feels most comfortable and enhances ergonomic results. It has also begun to trans- form the lens in which the pro- fession is viewed through. Far from undermining the engi- neering profession, VR can act as a tool to enhance engineers' work, improve communication and delivery and thereby give greater prestige. Engineers are becoming more and more adventurous with builds, constantly push- ing the boundaries of physics to stay at the cutting edge of design. As projects become more complex over time it is essential that core safety prin- ciples are not compromised. Supporting this is the protec- tion that technological advancement can provide. Workers can be trained off-site using VR – such as the popular head-mounted Oculus Ri sys- tem – without disrupting nor- mal work routines or exposing them to the real hazards. 3D simulation helps engi- neers prepare for individual projects, enhancing safety, but also enabling the sector to train its junior staff yet to step foot on a live site. For example, VR can be used to familiarise new workers with the sounds found on the likes of a treat- ment works or a power station, stripping down the time needed for on-site training and acclimatisation. Mixed reality is also starting to make its way into the construction sector through the Microso Hololens device. This builds on the already impressive levels of immersion of VR and mixes it with the real world with 3D holograms projected into real space – for most, being able to see a proposed design along- side the real world is truly impressive. Training is one of largest costs for an engineering firm to consider, especially if you have to transport groups of people from various parts of the UK (or abroad) to a training loca- tion. With VR, firms can not only exclude the capital risks through health and safety breaches, but improvements can be made in time exposed to danger on site and by train- ing large groups of people in a safe, virtual location. MWH recently worked on a complex refit of an existing building that would have typi- cally required around 18 weeks of installation time using tra- ditional methods. Using pre-fabrication with 4D BIM techniques to combine the detailed installation schedule with the 3D model, simula- tions were run to 'digitally rehearse' the sequence, impor- tantly, including the tempo- rary works design, MWH was able to try different assembly strategies and fine tune the final sequence, all while reduc- ing the number of site fitters and engineers required along with impressive reduction of time spent on site. The agreed installation sequence was also viewed in VR and all site staff trained with the method of installation resulting in the new works being delivered in nine days, a massive 90% improvement. A common phrase used to describe how the activity went was "construction calmness", "everyone just knew exactly what we had to do and when". The advent of 'room-scale' VR also invokes the benefits of muscle-memory – the physical act of practicing that athletes are very familiar with – further reinforces the conscious brain's memory for sequence and measurement. The technological revolu- tion is a great opportunity for the sector. Those who embrace the changes will witness bene- fits to cost, productivity and safety, and those who don't will be le behind as clients and prospective employees alike will start to expect AR and VR as standard. n Damon Webster is technical director, systems & technology, at MWH now part of Stantec. Will robots steal our jobs? The potential impact of automation on the UK and other major economies – PwC Wedeco Spektron UV Wedeco LBX UV Reactors Sanitaire Aeration Grids Hydroejectors & Radial Aerators Flygt Jet Aerators & Mixers Flygt Mixers AVAILABLE FROM XYLEM WATER TREATMENT 24/7 HIRE RAPID BESPOKE DESIGN SOLUTIONS DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER FOR ULTIMATE PEACE OF MIND • Cost effective temporary treatment installations • Plant refurbishments | Repairs | Seasonal Overloads Drought Alleviation • Portable containerised systems available for larger projects • Planned, bespoke and reactive maintenance solutions • PLUS monitoring, control and analytical equipment also available 0845 707 8012 fgb.rental@xyleminc.com | www.xylem.com/uk flygt_sanitaire_wedeco treatmentl advert aug 2017_Layout 1 04/08/2017 15:18 Page 1 VR can help familiarise new staff with the sounds found in treatment works

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