Technology at Bligh Tanner
Bligh Tanner embraces and nurtures engineering technology through the use of original and emerging software. Our staff have the experience, dedication and the resources to undertake a vast array of projects, applying our knowledge to create the best results.
For the last three years we have been using SketchUp to deliver civil engineering projects including roads, airports, large car parks, solar farms, drainage and complex services relocations, building structures, staging work and other infrastructure projects. This delivery method has been very well received by clients, stakeholders, Transport and Main Roads and Local Authorities including Brisbane, Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley.
The models are dimensionally accurate, visual and easy to understand by even a lay person. They can be readily interrogated in live meeting environment (ie. taking dimensions, grades, level differences, cutting sections, etc). This proved to be very helpful in local authority meetings, stakeholder, community engagement and design team meetings and brainstorming sessions. Due to highly visual character and real-time rendering, the models aid greatly in communicating design concepts, coordinating, developing and documenting complex geometries. Design elements pertaining to roads like stormwater drainage, water and sewer, traffic signs, etc. are parametric elements and can output from the model in schedule format for drawing documentation and material take offs. The drawings are directly linked with the model and update automatically whenever there is a change in the model. The output of animations is very quick and easy. The designs can be viewed in a virtual or augmented reality environment. The models can also be used during construction for setting out and output to Trimble setting out equipment is streamlined.
SketchUp can also work in a BIM environment and interface with other 3D modelling software like REVIT, 12D, Civil 3D, CAD and engineering software like SWMM for hydraulic analysis or PVSyst for solar farm design and more.
You can read more about the software we use at Bligh Tanner here
