Introduction
Effective construction site planning is essential for a project's success. Tobe Builder, a powerful construction planning tool, offers a range of features to help you set up site facilities efficiently. In this guide, we'll explore how to use Tobe Builder to plan and implement site facilities, including site cut and fill, clearing, paths, temporary roads, fences, and more. We'll also discuss the use of resources, work zones, and paths to optimize laydown areas and access routes.
Step 1: Getting Started with Virtual Builder
Before diving into site facility planning, ensure you have Tobe Builder installed and your project loaded. Familiarize yourself with the user interface, including the toolbar and menus.
Step 2: Grasshopper Automations for Site Layout
Virtual Builder's Grasshopper automations provide a visual way to represent site elements. Use Grasshopper to:
1. Site Cut and Fill: Create a 3D representation of your excavation and fill areas, allowing you to assess the balance of earthworks.
To do this, try the Pit, Embankment, trench or temp road tools.
2. Clearing: Define the areas to be cleared or preserved, helping you plan for vegetation removal or retention
Clearing can be accomplished in a few ways,;
External CAD application: A new site ground model can be created in an external BIM application such as Civil3D, Sketchup or Revit and imported into Tobe Builder. Once within Tobe Builder the BIM can be set to 'cut' the ground via the BIM hierarchy menu.
Grasshopper Automation: The Pit or Fill automations can be used to create a level site by clipping the ground layer via the cut tool as above.
Use the Pit automation to draw a boundary around your site.
Once the boundary is complete, enter details such as depth, batter angles and if you want to create layers for excavation visualizations.
Once that is complete the automation is set to automatically cut the terrain out and insert you new flat site IFC model.
3. Paths: Design paths and walkways within your construction site for safe access.
4. Temporary Roads: Lay out temporary roads for construction vehicle access, minimizing disruption to existing infrastructure by using the "embankment" automation, the two access ramps down into the pit are both just 2 point embankments.
5. Fences: Draw virtual fences to demarcate secure zones or restricted areas using the "Fence" automation, Depicted below is a standard ATF style mesh fence.
6. Breezeways: Use the "Sheds & Breezeways" automation to layout a quick square grid of sheds and breezeways to accommodate your planned workforce size.
Step 3: Resource Planning
Resources in Virtual Builder represent equipment, materials, and personnel. Utilize resources to:
1. Plan Facilities: Allocate resources to site facilities like trailers, storage containers, and office spaces.
2. Cost Estimation: Attach cost rates to resources for accurate budgeting and cost estimation.
3. Availability: Schedule the availability of resources throughout the project timeline.
Step 4: Work Zones and Paths
Work zones and paths help you organize and optimize your construction site:
1. Work Zones: Define specific areas for different construction activities, such as excavation, foundation work, or steel erection.
2. Paths: Establish pathways for the movement of materials, equipment, and workers between work zones.
3. Access Routes: Plan efficient access routes to and from the construction site, ensuring smooth transportation logistics.
Step 5: Laydown Areas
Laydown areas are crucial for storing materials and equipment. Use Virtual Builder to:
1. Design Laydown Areas: Determine the best locations for laydown areas, considering proximity to work zones and access routes.
2. Resource Allocation: Allocate resources (e.g., cranes, forklifts) to laydown areas for easy retrieval and storage.
3. Safety Considerations: Ensure laydown areas are safely situated to prevent accidents or delays.
Conclusion
Tobe Builder simplifies the process of setting up site facilities by providing intuitive tools for planning, visualizing, and optimizing your construction site. Whether you're managing site cut and fill, paths, temporary roads, or resource allocation, Tobe Builder empowers you to create a well-organized and efficient construction environment. By harnessing the power of this software, you can enhance project outcomes, reduce costs, and improve safety.