Public Funding for Laing O'Rourke PLC.

Laing O’Rourke has previously developed a suite of tools to demonstrate the feasibility of digitally automated bridge design. Manufacturing, assembly and installation processes have been proven and tested using precast protype modular components. The project will develop this further to produce a system that digitally enables the rapid design, optioneering, configuration, manufacturing and delivery of highway bridges using assemblies of standardised, pre-certified, off-site manufactured parts . The tool and DfMA Bridge component set will contribute towards delivery of the three Highways England imperatives Safety, Customer and Delivery by: reducing time and cost associated with design development and optimisation to hours rather than weeks, enabling a greater content of off-site manufacturing, improved efficiency, reduced waste, improved quality assurance and reduced defects. The construction time on site will be shortened and predictability improved with fewer people on site, for shorter periods of time and improved safety. An output of the system will be a 3d, data rich, digital twin. This will provide a foundation for improvements to asset data management and decision making The project will comprise seven work streams including evaluation of the legal and insurance framework required to enable wider adoption of the tools by the bridge engineering and contracting community.

"The construction industry's strategy is to improve productivity and meet the Government's Construction 2025 targets.The **Augmented Reality for Operative Productivity and Continuous Quality Analysis (AROPCQA)** project aims to improve productivity and quality by creating the common platform using digital technologies and process workflows to develop a user-focused practical system. Construction operatives need to be provided with accurate information to support efficient installation, and also be able to demonstrate that the installation has been done correctly. Currently, these processes are mainly manual, time consuming, and error prone -- which leads to increase of cost. Errors and associated rework can have a significant impact on project profitability and can also affect quality in the longer term. Currently, the information loop to identify, report, and address issues at design stage is not systematically closed. Vision and digital technologies such as augmented, virtual and mixed reality, laser scanning, computer vision, ubiquitous wireless communications and 3D digital design technologies are all being explored for application in this area. From these technologies, this project will create a common toolset that is able to address the requirements of multiple sectors through a requirements and demonstration process based on a range of use cases such as: nuclear reinforcement cage production, residential and commercial fit-out, and the manufacture of precast modules. The project will also deliver demonstrators for the use cases, together with documented process and guidance for the workflows and data structures, for capture and retrieval. The project team is: * **Laing O'Rourke (lead) --** a leading construction engineering enterprise experienced in the specific use cases * **Trimble** -- a construction software and hardware technology company * **Offset Services** -- an SME focused on as-built and quality control information processing * **DesignTech** -- an SME focussed on design automation * **Workmobile** -- an SME focussing on mobile work-face applications * **AMRC** -- a Catapult centre that will bring extensive knowledge of augmented reality and digitally enabling production processes Microsoft will provide technology support to the team and EDF NNB will represent the client owner operator aspects."

This proposal is submitted to Innovate UK for consideration of grant funding to expand the use of augmented and virtual reality in construction, by developing an Augmented Worker System enabling the intelligent design, construction, maintenance and whole-life value of construction buildings. The construction sector is a key sector to the UK economy and is a sector with considerable growth opportunity. The Government have started this investment which continues with the Digital Built Britain programme. Through the implementation of DBB, the industry will be able to deliver faster builds to a higher quality with fewer defects and more sustainable buildings. The challenge for industry is meeting the DBB Building Information Modelling (BIM) level mandated by the UK Government. The Augmented Worker System will target a reduction in cost and waste, whilst increasing productivity. A successful outcome will provide the construction industry with this Augmented Worker System to improve the construction process at every stage. The project will focus on implementing the Augmented Worker System for a modular, off-site construction company to demonstrate the impact of such a system.

Carbon emissions from the built environment are a paramount factor regarding climate change and resource efficiency. The construction industry has so far mainly been focusing on emissions from the operation of buildings, disregarding any further carbon incurred over the life cycle of projects (Whole Life Carbon WLC) like carbon embodied in the building elements and emissions due to maintenance. Recent work in this field has verified the importance of WLC and has set the theoretic and methodological bases for WLC assessments. However the application of these principles in actual carbon calculations lacks consistency with the results differing substantially between practitioners & WLC is therefore not widely adopted. The project seeks to address this by forming a team of LCA experts & property stakeholders to work out a clear and usable practical framework for WLC assessment & carbon certification of buildings. This will standardise WLC implementation across the construction industry and eliminate discrepancies. Meaningful WLC comparisons will then be enabled, competitiveness in the sustainability industry will be stimulated and carbon reductions will be encouraged.

A project to develop an integrated digital delivery process for bridges and bridge parts. It will address the whole lifecycle of bridges from identification and rationalisation of needs to manufacture, assembly, operation, maintenance and decommissioning. The output will be an interoperable set of digital tools, data schema and virtual prototyping processes that lead to the automated manufacture of a set of standardised, validated parts and sub-assemblies at a controlled price, configured virtually and in reality that are capable of meeting the requirements of the most common bridge types. The project aims to create a demand for offsite manufactured bridge parts and assemblies and allow digitally driven advanced manufacturing processes to be applied to bridge delivery. The team include Laing O'Rourke(LOR), Tony Gee and Partners, and University of Cambridge.

The aim of the Digitally Enabled Electrification project is to develop an integrated digital electrification delivery solution for Overhead Line Equipment (OLE). It will do this by analysing and streamlining current practice and requirements for the data exchange interfaces and process involved. This promotes the Government’s £310bn infrastructure plan, Construction Strategy for the use of Level 2 Building Information Modelling (“BIM”) by 2016, intelligent asset management as identified in the Rail Technology Strategy (“RTS”) and the 'asset themes' within the Network Rail Technical Strategy ("NRTS"). In order to drive the ability to reduce infrastructure and operations costs, the project will research and leverage emerging digital technology available to establish and map the survey, design, manufacture and on site assembly, and delivery processes and enable integration of each from the currently fragmented sub processes. Digital models can then be used to inform decisions, reduce design and construction risk and, once commissioned, will enable effective asset management of not only the OLE elements but also the related civils, power supply and programme management. The team will include Laing O'Rourke (a major UK civil engineering enterprise and manufacturer), Atkins (a worldwide consulting firm), Imperial College (leading on surveying technology and data integration) and DHP11 (software developers for infrastructure and utility organisations).

The project is to optimise the design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA) of large preassembled components for reinforced concrete construction in nuclear and heavy civils projects. The project will develop and test DfMA components to increase productivity and improve safety and quality over more traditional in-situ methods of construction. It will address the stringent levels of structural and functional reliability of the overall structure, improve and simplify seismic detailing requirements, and quality control.It will consider the manufacture, transport, cranage and placement aspects of components from 20-1000t, and bring optimisation and simulation techniques to identify best solutions for specific applications . The team includes Laing O'Rourke, a major UK civil engineering enterprise and manufacturer and a current nuclear new build constructor, ARUP a worlwide consulting firm, Imperial College, leading on optimisation analytics and BRE for prototype testing

This project develops and trials a new way working on the construction of an £8m Royal Marines’ training centre in Lympstone, Dorset, for the MOD to be completed in 2015. Normally, design consultants and construction specialists in the design and construction team will each insure against their individual liabilities on a construction project. This is wasteful, not only in terms of insurance costs but because it sets boundaries between different disciplines and hinders how well the team can work together. The new approach, called ‘Integrated Project Insurance’ effectively provides insurance for the whole team working as a ‘virtual company’. Not only is this a more cost-effective approach, it frees the team from being concerned about their own liability and encourages them to concentrate on improving the project overall. Current estimates suggest that this new approach could save between 15% and 20% of construction costs, and deliver major improvements to new buildngs also.

This project develops and trials a new way working on the construction of an £8m Royal Marines’ training centre in Lympstone, Dorset, for the MOD to be completed in 2015. Normally, design consultants and construction specialists in the design and construction team will each insure against their individual liabilities on a construction project. This is wasteful, not only in terms of insurance costs but because it sets boundaries between different disciplines and hinders how well the team can work together. The new approach, called ‘Integrated Project Insurance’ effectively provides insurance for the whole team working as a ‘virtual company’. Not only is this a more cost-effective approach, it frees the team from being concerned about their own liability and encourages them to concentrate on improving the project overall. Current estimates suggest that this new approach could save between 15% and 20% of construction costs, and deliver major improvements to new buildngs also.

This project develops and trials a new way working on the construction of an £8m Royal Marines’ training centre in Lympstone, Dorset, for the MOD to be completed in 2015. Normally, design consultants and construction specialists in the design and construction team will each insure against their individual liabilities on a construction project. This is wasteful, not only in terms of insurance costs but because it sets boundaries between different disciplines and hinders how well the team can work together. The new approach, called ‘Integrated Project Insurance’ effectively provides insurance for the whole team working as a ‘virtual company’. Not only is this a more cost-effective approach, it frees the team from being concerned about their own liability and encourages them to concentrate on improving the project overall. Current estimates suggest that this new approach could save between 15% and 20% of construction costs, and deliver major improvements to new buildngs also.

This project develops and trials a new way working on the construction of an £8m Royal Marines’ training centre in Lympstone, Dorset, for the MOD to be completed in 2015. Normally, design consultants and construction specialists in the design and construction team will each insure against their individual liabilities on a construction project. This is wasteful, not only in terms of insurance costs but because it sets boundaries between different disciplines and hinders how well the team can work together. The new approach, called ‘Integrated Project Insurance’ effectively provides insurance for the whole team working as a ‘virtual company’. Not only is this a more cost-effective approach, it frees the team from being concerned about their own liability and encourages them to concentrate on improving the project overall. Current estimates suggest that this new approach could save between 15% and 20% of construction costs, and deliver major improvements to new buildngs also.

This project develops and trials a new way working on the construction of an £8m Royal Marines’ training centre in Lympstone, Dorset, for the MOD to be completed in 2015. Normally, design consultants and construction specialists in the design and construction team will each insure against their individual liabilities on a construction project. This is wasteful, not only in terms of insurance costs but because it sets boundaries between different disciplines and hinders how well the team can work together. The new approach, called ‘Integrated Project Insurance’ effectively provides insurance for the whole team working as a ‘virtual company’. Not only is this a more cost-effective approach, it frees the team from being concerned about their own liability and encourages them to concentrate on improving the project overall. Current estimates suggest that this new approach could save between 15% and 20% of construction costs, and deliver major improvements to new buildngs also.

This project develops and trials a new way working on the construction of an £8m Royal Marines’ training centre in Lympstone, Dorset, for the MOD to be completed in 2015. Normally, design consultants and construction specialists in the design and construction team will each insure against their individual liabilities on a construction project. This is wasteful, not only in terms of insurance costs but because it sets boundaries between different disciplines and hinders how well the team can work together. The new approach, called ‘Integrated Project Insurance’ effectively provides insurance for the whole team working as a ‘virtual company’. Not only is this a more cost-effective approach, it frees the team from being concerned about their own liability and encourages them to concentrate on improving the project overall. Current estimates suggest that this new approach could save between 15% and 20% of construction costs, and deliver major improvements to new buildngs also.

This project develops and trials a new way working on the construction of an £8m Royal Marines’ training centre in Lympstone, Dorset, for the MOD to be completed in 2015. Normally, design consultants and construction specialists in the design and construction team will each insure against their individual liabilities on a construction project. This is wasteful, not only in terms of insurance costs but because it sets boundaries between different disciplines and hinders how well the team can work together. The new approach, called ‘Integrated Project Insurance’ effectively provides insurance for the whole team working as a ‘virtual company’. Not only is this a more cost-effective approach, it frees the team from being concerned about their own liability and encourages them to concentrate on improving the project overall. Current estimates suggest that this new approach could save between 15% and 20% of construction costs, and deliver major improvements to new buildngs also.

This project develops and trials a new way working on the construction of an £8m Royal Marines’ training centre in Lympstone, Dorset, for the MOD to be completed in 2015. Normally, design consultants and construction specialists in the design and construction team will each insure against their individual liabilities on a construction project. This is wasteful, not only in terms of insurance costs but because it sets boundaries between different disciplines and hinders how well the team can work together. The new approach, called ‘Integrated Project Insurance’ effectively provides insurance for the whole team working as a ‘virtual company’. Not only is this a more cost-effective approach, it frees the team from being concerned about their own liability and encourages them to concentrate on improving the project overall. Current estimates suggest that this new approach could save between 15% and 20% of construction costs, and deliver major improvements to new buildngs also.

This project develops and trials a new way working on the construction of an £8m Royal Marines’ training centre in Lympstone, Dorset, for the MOD to be completed in 2015. Normally, design consultants and construction specialists in the design and construction team will each insure against their individual liabilities on a construction project. This is wasteful, not only in terms of insurance costs but because it sets boundaries between different disciplines and hinders how well the team can work together. The new approach, called ‘Integrated Project Insurance’ effectively provides insurance for the whole team working as a ‘virtual company’. Not only is this a more cost-effective approach, it frees the team from being concerned about their own liability and encourages them to concentrate on improving the project overall. Current estimates suggest that this new approach could save between 15% and 20% of construction costs, and deliver major improvements to new buildngs also.

This project develops and trials a new way working on the construction of an £8m Royal Marines’ training centre in Lympstone, Dorset, for the MOD to be completed in 2015. Normally, design consultants and construction specialists in the design and construction team will each insure against their individual liabilities on a construction project. This is wasteful, not only in terms of insurance costs but because it sets boundaries between different disciplines and hinders how well the team can work together. The new approach, called ‘Integrated Project Insurance’ effectively provides insurance for the whole team working as a ‘virtual company’. Not only is this a more cost-effective approach, it frees the team from being concerned about their own liability and encourages them to concentrate on improving the project overall. Current estimates suggest that this new approach could save between 15% and 20% of construction costs, and deliver major improvements to new buildngs also.

This project develops and trials a new way working on the construction of an £8m Royal Marines’ training centre in Lympstone, Dorset, for the MOD to be completed in 2015. Normally, design consultants and construction specialists in the design and construction team will each insure against their individual liabilities on a construction project. This is wasteful, not only in terms of insurance costs but because it sets boundaries between different disciplines and hinders how well the team can work together. The new approach, called ‘Integrated Project Insurance’ effectively provides insurance for the whole team working as a ‘virtual company’. Not only is this a more cost-effective approach, it frees the team from being concerned about their own liability and encourages them to concentrate on improving the project overall. Current estimates suggest that this new approach could save between 15% and 20% of construction costs, and deliver major improvements to new buildngs also.

This project develops and trials a new way working on the construction of an £8m Royal Marines’ training centre in Lympstone, Dorset, for the MOD to be completed in 2015. Normally, design consultants and construction specialists in the design and construction team will each insure against their individual liabilities on a construction project. This is wasteful, not only in terms of insurance costs but because it sets boundaries between different disciplines and hinders how well the team can work together. The new approach, called ‘Integrated Project Insurance’ effectively provides insurance for the whole team working as a ‘virtual company’. Not only is this a more cost-effective approach, it frees the team from being concerned about their own liability and encourages them to concentrate on improving the project overall. Current estimates suggest that this new approach could save between 15% and 20% of construction costs, and deliver major improvements to new buildngs also.

This project develops and trials a new way working on the construction of an £8m Royal Marines’ training centre in Lympstone, Dorset, for the MOD to be completed in 2015. Normally, design consultants and construction specialists in the design and construction team will each insure against their individual liabilities on a construction project. This is wasteful, not only in terms of insurance costs but because it sets boundaries between different disciplines and hinders how well the team can work together. The new approach, called ‘Integrated Project Insurance’ effectively provides insurance for the whole team working as a ‘virtual company’. Not only is this a more cost-effective approach, it frees the team from being concerned about their own liability and encourages them to concentrate on improving the project overall. Current estimates suggest that this new approach could save between 15% and 20% of construction costs, and deliver major improvements to new buildngs also.

This project develops and trials a new way working on the construction of an £8m Royal Marines’ training centre in Lympstone, Dorset, for the MOD to be completed in 2015. Normally, design consultants and construction specialists in the design and construction team will each insure against their individual liabilities on a construction project. This is wasteful, not only in terms of insurance costs but because it sets boundaries between different disciplines and hinders how well the team can work together. The new approach, called ‘Integrated Project Insurance’ effectively provides insurance for the whole team working as a ‘virtual company’. Not only is this a more cost-effective approach, it frees the team from being concerned about their own liability and encourages them to concentrate on improving the project overall. Current estimates suggest that this new approach could save between 15% and 20% of construction costs, and deliver major improvements to new buildngs also.

This project develops and trials a new way working on the construction of an £8m Royal Marines’ training centre in Lympstone, Dorset, for the MOD to be completed in 2015. Normally, design consultants and construction specialists in the design and construction team will each insure against their individual liabilities on a construction project. This is wasteful, not only in terms of insurance costs but because it sets boundaries between different disciplines and hinders how well the team can work together. The new approach, called ‘Integrated Project Insurance’ effectively provides insurance for the whole team working as a ‘virtual company’. Not only is this a more cost-effective approach, it frees the team from being concerned about their own liability and encourages them to concentrate on improving the project overall. Current estimates suggest that this new approach could save between 15% and 20% of construction costs, and deliver major improvements to new buildngs also.

This project develops and trials a new way working on the construction of an £8m Royal Marines’ training centre in Lympstone, Dorset, for the MOD to be completed in 2015. Normally, design consultants and construction specialists in the design and construction team will each insure against their individual liabilities on a construction project. This is wasteful, not only in terms of insurance costs but because it sets boundaries between different disciplines and hinders how well the team can work together. The new approach, called ‘Integrated Project Insurance’ effectively provides insurance for the whole team working as a ‘virtual company’. Not only is this a more cost-effective approach, it frees the team from being concerned about their own liability and encourages them to concentrate on improving the project overall. Current estimates suggest that this new approach could save between 15% and 20% of construction costs, and deliver major improvements to new buildngs also.

Novacem is a novel cement based on magnesium compounds that does not require raw material decarbonation. It could eliminate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from cement production, and can potentially go beyond carbon neutral to absorb carbon dioxide and achieve carbon negative production. It has the potential to become a widespread replacement for Portland cement (PC). PC manufacture releases approximately 0.8 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of cement from energy use and limestone decarbonation. Over 10m tonnes of PC are used to produce concrete each year in the UK. Globally almost 3bn tonnes are used each year (5bn tonnes by 2030), creating 5 percent of man-made CO2). If Novacem is to be used in mainstream construction applications, it is essential that performance of Novacem concrete is first well demonstrated. This project will improve Novacem’s cement composition, use BRE’s material testing capabilities to assess cement performance in standard tests, and use Laing O’Rourke’s facilities to further demonstrate performance. It will build on a successful prior TSB collaborative R&D project which highlighted the potential in the Novacem technology.

The construction industry faces a major challenge in meeting current and future sustainability targets. Claylite Aggregates, in collaboration with construction leaders Laing O’Rourke and academic partner Imperial College London, have successfully completed a TSB funded 3-year investigation into the development of novel and sustainable lightweight aggregates that address this challenge. The resource efficient product is made from various wastes, which comprise up to 98 percent by weight of the aggregate. It is manufactured at a temperature 400 degrees celsius lower than similar products, reducing energy requirements. As a result the product has market leading characteristics in terms of density, strength and water absorption. Importantly for a product based on waste streams, the investigation has confirmed that “the mixture of recycled materials is totally transformed… into a new material”. Testing has demonstrated that the usual properties associated with structural lightweight aggregate and concrete, including insulating characteristics, are capable of being delivered. Strategic partnerships are now being developed as the partners move towards commercialisation.

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