Developing database on construction projects will reduce complexities – Ex-GhIE boss

Engineering professionals in the country have been urged to strive to develop a common platform or database aimed at harmonising information concerning buildings, infrastructure and other construction projects.

According to a former President of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE), Ing. Carlien Bou-Chedid, given the way the world is going and the impact of technology, it is imperative for engineers, architects and other professionals in the building space to embrace Building Information Modelling (BIM) by having a standardised platform for the country.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an intelligent 3D model-based process that gives architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct and manage buildings and infrastructure.

“We are at a stage where we need to come to a common understanding and select a common standard for Ghana to make sure that all the software that is being used by the different bodies in charge of different types of infrastructure all feed onto one platform; so that, for example, your electrical cable, water pipelines, building foundation, you have them all being on one database.

“Then as a country, metropolitan, district authority, you know where everything is; and this kind of information is there throughout the life of the infrastructure. So, as you do maintenance it is updated; as you put in a new structure it is updated; so at any point in time you know what transpires,” she told B&FT at the launch of ProtaStructure 2019 in Accra.

For her, harmonising the various software used by these engineering professionals on a single platform will help in several ways, as technology improves.

Mrs. Bou-Chedid, who is also President of the Federation of African Engineering Organisations (FAEO), explained that there won’t be different people with different information, and it will reduce the chances of corruption. “I put up a building and information the architect has is the same the contractor has, is the same the engineer has. It is unlikely that you will be able to change everybody’s information. It is located in one place, and therefore the quantities and everything are likely to be one – and you reduce the chances of corruption.”

ProtaStructure is an innovation Building Information Modelling (BIM) solution for structural engineers to model, analyse and design buildings quickly and accurately.

Abel Cudjoe, CEO of CaB Royale – local partner of Prota, indicated that the software helps structural engineers to get documentation done quickly, and urged engineers to acquire automated systems to enhance their work.

Among the range of features from one central model are: easily comparing different schemes; and automating steel and concrete design, significantly reducing project delivery time.

It also produce high quality drawings and all design documentation from ProtaStructure automatically, using included ProtaDetails and ProtaSteel, as well as seamlessly coordinating projects with intelligent BIM integration.

ProtaStructure saves time and increases business profitability.