Progress nets – A milestone in future of Rebar Detailing

Author: Dejan Jovanović| Rebar Detailer | NS Drafter

 

Intro

Reinforced concrete is one of the most important construction materials in the modern world. It represents a combination of strength, durability, and creative possibilities, thus becoming a fundamental pillar of stability and innovation in construction. The mixture of concrete and steel reinforcement provides exceptional strength and resistance to various external influences, allowing the creation of building structures that are both safe and aesthetically pleasing. It is also a source of creativity and innovation in construction. Thanks to the possibilities of shaping and modeling, architects and engineers are able to create structures that meet a wide range of requirements, from functional to aesthetic. Flexibility in design enables the construction of architectural wonders that are both practical and visually attractive, setting new standards in the urban landscape and architecture.

The story of reinforced concrete and progress nets is undoubtedly accompanied by the story of the creation of reinforcement plans as a vital part of the structure in order to achieve the designated characteristics of reinforced concrete. We have covered a good part of what we can expect in the future in our previous blog. The introduction of the need for more efficient methods of making reinforcement plans stems from the need for faster, more precise, and more economical construction processes. Traditional approaches, such as manual drawing or using 2D software, are often limited and prone to errors, which can lead to delays, increased costs, and reduced quality of constructions. With the increasing complexity of projects and the pressure to reduce costs, more efficient approaches, such as the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology and advanced modeling software, become key to optimizing processes, increasing productivity, and improving construction quality.

A quick glimpse on traditional methods for rebar detailing

In the construction milieu, creating reinforcement plans is a crucial phase that affects the stability and durability of every structure. Traditional approaches to this important phase often involved manual drawing and designing. This method, which had been the standard for decades, now shows its limitations in today’s accelerated pace of construction projects. Manual drawing, though once the foundation of every construction plan, now faces issues related to accuracy, speed, and the potential for errors. Even the greatest masters of drawing can encounter challenges in creating detailed and precise reinforcement plans. Moreover, this process is time-consuming, often leading to delays in projects and increased costs.

On the other hand, traditional 2D software also has its shortcomings. While somewhat more efficient than manual drawing, they often lack the flexibility and precision needed for complex construction projects. The lack of interoperability makes collaboration between different experts difficult, while the absence of advanced modeling tools limits the creative possibilities of designers and engineers.

Traditional approaches to creating reinforcement plans have shortcomings that are becoming increasingly apparent in modern construction. The need for more efficient methods is inevitable, and technological advancements offer opportunities to improve the process of making reinforcement plans and enhance the quality of construction projects.

Progress nets as a milestone in future of Rebar Detailing

Progress Nets represent a revolutionary technology for creating reinforcement plans that transform the way reinforcement networks are created for construction structures. This innovative technology allows for the creation of customized reinforcement networks that are perfectly aligned with the specific requirements and geometry of each structure and its individual parts. You can compare it with a rise of tunnel formwork in construction. It relies on the same innovative principles, saving time and money with efficiency.

One of the key features of Progress Nets technology is its approach to personalization. Instead of standard templates or generic solutions, Progress Nets enables designers to create custom reinforcement networks that are optimally tailored to each project and its specific parts. For those less familiar with this area of construction, this technology can be likened to assembling Lego blocks, where connecting and fitting specific parts result in a structure that as a whole meets all the characteristics necessary for reinforcement in reinforced concrete constructions.

Practically speaking, by using specific software solutions, we create reinforcement networks for a particular part of a slab or wall, in accordance with static calculations, and in addition to the main reinforcement, we include all the additional reinforcement needed in that area. By also ensuring the overlap of reinforcement, we effectively create a segment from all the reinforcement needed in one area, which will be produced in a manufacturing plant, brought to the construction site, and installed in the specified part of the structure. Several such packed segments will make up the plan for the necessary reinforcement that will meet all the standards required for the load-bearing capacity and sustainability of the structure. Also, this process significantly reduces the human factor involved in the process.

Okay, so let’s talk about advantages and disadvantages of progress nets.

 

Advantages of Progress Nets Technology:

• Precision: One of the key advantages of Progress Nets technology is its high level of precision. Personalized reinforcement networks are created considering the specific requirements and geometry of each construction, resulting in highly accurate and reliable plans.
• Efficiency: Automated processes and advanced modeling tools enable quick creation of reinforcement plans. This efficiency reduces the time needed for plan creation, speeding up construction processes and optimizing resources.
• Personalization: Progress Nets technology allows designers to create custom reinforcement networks that are optimally tailored to each project. This personalization provides greater flexibility and the ability to meet specific client requirements and architectural designs.
• Cost-effectiveness: Customized reinforcement networks are designed to maximize material efficiency and minimize waste. This not only reduces material costs but also contributes to the sustainability of construction projects. In some cases, the goal of zero kg of waste reinforcement is easily met.
• Technological Advancement: The introduction of Progress Nets technology represents a step forward in the modernization of the construction industry. The use of advanced modeling tools and automated processes sets new standards in the quality and efficiency of creating reinforcement networks.

Disadvantages of Progress Nets Technology:

• Implementation Costs: Implementing Progress Nets technology may require significant initial investments in staff training, software acquisition, and infrastructural changes. These costs can be a barrier for smaller construction companies or projects with limited budgets.
• Need for Experts: Although Progress Nets technology is automated and intuitive to use, it still requires expertise in using advanced modeling tools and analysis. It is necessary to ensure that the team has enough trained experts who can efficiently use this technology.
• Software Limitations: Although the software tools supporting Progress Nets technology are advanced, they may still have limitations in terms of functionality or interoperability with other software used in the construction industry.
• Versatility: While Progress Nets technology provides solutions for most construction projects, there may still be situations where special customization or manual work is required to meet the specific requirements of the construction and site conditions.

The usefulness of Progress shown in a Case Study

Through a detailed review of the application of Progress Nets technology in a specific project, we will explore how advanced technologies transform traditional approaches to the construction industry and set new standards in efficiency and reliability of construction. We focus on analyzing the benefits, challenges, and results stemming from the implementation of this technology to gain insight into its impact on the construction process and the quality of the final product.

By analyzing a specific project—a mixed-use complex in Amsterdam that used Progress Nets technology in the process of drafting reinforcement plans—we can see how these technologies met the specific demands and challenges posed by the project. The reinforced concrete structure has a predominantly square base with a significant height dimension, with the building height intended to be 188 meters. It is located in the strictly urban zone of Rotterdam, bordering on two sides on the canal network.

The first challenge faced by the company NS Drafter was the extremely limited storage space for reinforcement. As the building was to be located in a strictly urban area with limited space, it was crucial that the reinforcement be delivered and installed expediently. Using Progress Nets technology, the company was able to optimize the installation process of the reinforcement, ensuring that the reinforcement that arrived at the construction site was installed in a very short time.

The second challenge was the short deadline for project completion. Given the complexity of the project and space limitations, the deadlines were extremely tight. The implementation of Progress Nets technology enabled faster and more efficient planning and production of reinforcement plans, allowing NS Drafter to meet the required construction deadlines.

The lack of skilled reinforcement workers at the construction site presented an additional challenge. Given the reduced workforce and lack of experience among reinforcement workers, the company had to find a solution that would maximally eliminate the human factor in the implementation of reinforcement plans. Using Progress Nets technology, the process of creating reinforcement plans became less dependent on human factors, allowing for reliable and precise production of reinforcement regardless of the lack of skilled personnel.

Zero tolerance for “excesses” and maximum optimization of reinforcement required precise planning and design. Through the use of advanced software tools and process automation, NS Drafter was able to achieve a high level of reinforcement optimization, minimizing excesses and ensuring that the reinforcement met the necessary static requirements with the greatest accuracy.

Through this project, the application of Progress Nets technology demonstrated its strength in efficiently optimizing the process of making reinforcement, enabling faster construction, meeting tight deadlines, and achieving a high level of quality of the final product. This case study serves as an example of how advanced technologies can redefine industrial standards and improve performance in the construction industry.

Conclusion

In this article, we explored the success and application of Progress Nets technology in the construction industry. Through the analysis of concrete examples and case studies, we saw how this technology brings numerous advantages to the process of creating reinforcement networks, as well as how it copes with challenges and limitations.

In the future, further advancements in Progress Nets technology are expected through the development of more advanced algorithms, enhancement of software tools, and support for interoperability with other technological platforms in the construction industry. Through these innovations, Progress Nets technology can play a key role in transforming the construction industry towards more efficient, sustainable, and innovative building approaches.