The engineering office PGG Planungsgruppe Bauen U. Gerstner GmbH uses 3D software for solid and precast concrete construction with conviction. Thanks to model-based planning, the planning office can implement projects faster and more efficiently and has improved collaboration within the team and with clients.
The planning and engineering office PGG Planungsgruppe Bauen U. Gerstner took the step from 2D to 3D back in 2014. The company, which is part of the Gerstner Group, works on a wide range of projects in the areas of development, planning, construction and turnkey construction for residential, commercial and industrial buildings. PGG specializes primarily in precast concrete construction as well as formwork and reinforcement planning.
For PGG Planungsgruppe Bauen U. Gerstner, it was always important to remain innovative and not lose touch. The office saw a great opportunity in 3D modeling and the automated creation of production drawings. Today, there is no other way for the team to work. With the 3D BIM software Tekla Structures, the engineering office has found a reliable and innovative tool.
Faster and more reliable work in 3D
With complex buildings, 2D planning quickly reaches its limits. The results depend heavily on the spatial imagination of the designer. It's easy for an anchor rail to be on the wrong side or a concealed edge to be overlooked. By working in 3D, the team at PGG Planungsgruppe Bauen U. Gerstner can avoid mistakes before they even occur. "Since we've been planning in 3D, we've never heard of anything not fitting, neither in the formwork nor the reinforcement," emphasizes designer André Holz, responsible for Tekla Structures at PGG. "We have far fewer queries from the precast plant that hold us up and our overall workflow is better." The 3D model is the central source of truth in the project. What fits here also fits in reality. "Errors that we may not even have noticed before and that reduce the fee can now be avoided from the outset," explains André Holz.
Precast concrete elements and solid construction with Tekla Structures
It was clear to PGG Planungsgruppe Bauen U. Gerstner right from the start that Tekla Structures is particularly powerful in the area of 3D modeling. With the help of the so-called user-defined components in particular, the designers can quickly create standardized connections, prefabricated structures, reinforcement details or built-in parts to be placed according to the company's individual requirements. Thanks to 3D modeling, the office works much faster. The office also appreciates the open BIM approach and the software's numerous interfaces. The exchange with the structural analysis solutions Dlubal RSTAB and Idea Connection used in the office works very well.
Since we have been planning in 3D, we have never heard of anything not fitting, neither in the formwork nor in the reinforcement.
André Holz, responsible designer for Tekla Structures at PGG Planungsgruppe Bauen U. Gerstner
With the help of Tekla Model Sharing, the team can work on the same model at the same time - both within their own team and with partners. Collaboration with a friendly office in Estonia has gone smoothly since the office has been using the cloud solution. This is far more difficult with other software solutions. "When it comes to 3D, Trimble is a reliable and innovative partner for us," confirms André Holz. "We want to opt for software that we won't have to rethink again in ten years' time, but that allows us to take the innovation steps together."
PGG also uses Trimble Connect for coordination between the three locations. At the start of a project, the planning office provides all information and documents for the team in the Common Data Environment (CDE). This means that all the required data is available at all times. The office has also already tested communication with one of its clients. "The client was able to see at a very early stage in the model how far we have come and where the journey is heading," explains André Holz. Together, the parties involved were able to discuss intersections and potential problems and take the architecture into account. The client was delighted.
Compared to steel construction, concrete construction is lagging behind in the transition from 2D to 3D. In André Holz's view, many companies working in 2D are in their comfort zone. But complexity is increasing. While steel construction benefits from standardized connections, structures in solid construction are now often becoming more rounded, angular or angular - partly because 3D software makes it possible. For the team at PGG Planungsgruppe Bauen U. Gerstner, there is therefore no alternative to switching to 3D. "I definitely don't want to work in 2D anymore. In my opinion, that's no longer in keeping with the times," explains André Holz.
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