Virtual Design and Construction. 3 credits, 3 contact hours

Catalog description

Prerequisites: CE 610 , or approval of the instructor. This course explores Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) practices for developing and coordinating architectural, structural, and MEP systems in modern construction and infrastructure projects. The course covers creating discipline-specific Revit models, integrating them into federated Navisworks environments, and evaluating constructability, model accuracy, and cross-disciplinary performance. It incorporates reality capture (i.e., LiDAR) and photogrammetry techniques for generating site-accurate contextual models that link field data with digital environments for design verification and asset monitoring. Hands-on exercises include clash detection, rule-based auditing, and 4D scheduling to visualize construction sequencing and project logistics. Through an exclusive Industry Lecture Series, construction technology experts will provide applied insights into current VDC implementation strategies, data-driven decision-making, and emerging automation trends. By the end of the course, students will be prepared to apply VDC techniques to coordinate digital workflows, resolve interdisciplinary design conflicts, and optimize project planning, phasing, and execution.