In the construction industry, monitoring structural steel erection is critical to project success. A misplaced beam could jeopardize an entire endeavor. Despite this, many firms face challenges in accurately tracking steel progress, often relying on outdated methods like Excel spreadsheets or inconsistent data standards among stakeholders. Boston-based Suffolk Construction has addressed these issues by developing an innovative solution called Live Dimensions. Created by Denis Leff, Director of Digital Engineering at Suffolk, this tool leverages Building Information Modeling (BIM) to track steel from design through fabrication and final construction. It employs artificial intelligence to standardize information into a unified database, enabling real-time updates to BIM models and providing an accurate snapshot of a project's structural steel status.
The origins of Live Dimensions trace back to Leff's tenure at Samsung in South Korea, where he served as a BIM development manager from 2010 to 2016. His experience there sparked a passion for making BIM accessible to everyone, including non-experts. This vision led to the creation of Live Dimensions, which is currently being utilized on Suffolk's South Shore University Hospital Pavilion Core & Shell project in Bay Shore, New York. This $468 million project, set for completion in 2026, benefits significantly from the program's ability to streamline tracking completion and deliveries, eliminating the need for manual data entry or expensive software solutions.
Leff explained that users simply drag and drop a BIM model into Live Dimensions, marking it as complete. Upon delivery, they scan the bill of lading and upload it to the system. This functionality ensures continuous project flow, as halting steel work due to unprepared materials can stall the entire project. The tool also aids in identifying common erection process pitfalls, such as bolt hole misalignments and damaged beam replacements. By analyzing these occurrences, Leff aims to understand whether specific patterns emerge based on location, contractors, or fabricators.
Developed over six months specifically for the South Shore project, Live Dimensions initially started as an app but evolved into a web-based platform with the assistance of Matthew Chen, a digital engineering intern. Suffolk's commitment to innovation facilitated this transformation, supported by its in-house venture capital arm, Suffolk Ventures, which invests in construction technology throughout the building cycle. Leff credits the company's tech-forward culture for allowing him to develop the program at a comfortable pace, emphasizing thoughtful iteration and improvement.
Suffolk Construction's Live Dimensions represents a significant advancement in structural steel tracking. By integrating AI with BIM models, it offers real-time insights that enhance project management. The tool not only addresses existing inefficiencies but also fosters a deeper understanding of recurring issues within the erection process. As projects grow increasingly complex, solutions like Live Dimensions will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in ensuring timely and successful completions across the construction industry.