Buckhorn Medical Office Building
Shane Boyer
Construction Management
AE Senior Thesis 2010
1
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Pre-cast Concrete
Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using BIM
 Conclusions
2
Outline
 Project Overview
Client Information
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Pre-

Buckhorn Medical
Office Building
Site
cast Concrete Facade
Project Location
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using

BIM
 Questions
 Architect: Borton-Lawson Architects
 Construction Manager: Alexander Building Construction
 Electrical Breadth
 Conclusions
Owner: Geisinger Health System
Aerial view of the project site
240 Mall Boulevard, Bloomsburg, PA
 2 Miles from the Buckhorn I-80 Exit
3
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Building Function: Medical Office Building
 Thesis Theme
 Site Size: 530,300 SF
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
 Building Size: 83,245 SF
 Construction Cost: $11.7 million
 Construction Period: December 2007 – October 2009
 Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build with CM-at-Risk
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
Rendered view of the project site
4
Outline
Architecture
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Structural system modeled in Revit
 Aluminum panel curtain wall
 Employee cafeteria
 LEED Silver rating
Structure
Aluminum Panel vs. Pre-
 Structural steel building with spread footings
cast Concrete Facade
Mechanical
 Electrical Breadth
 Water-cooled heat pump system
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
Lighting/Electrical
BIM
 Typical 480Y/277V power system for commercial office
 Typical 277V fluorescent 2’x4’ fixtures
 125kVA on-site emergency diesel generator
 Conclusions
 Questions
Various metal panels in curtain wall system
Mechanical room modeled in Revit MEP
Render of cafeteria using Revit and 3D Studio
5
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Owner’s demands for BIM
Contractor’s uses for BIM
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
“How do we effectively use
BIM?”
6
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
ANALYSIS 1
Re-developing the Curtain Wall System
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
7
Outline
 Project Overview
Current System
 Project Background
 Current façade is an aluminum metal panel system
 4 different panel designs used in curtain wall
construction
 Construction consists of metal studs with insulating
board, plywood sheathing, and metal panels
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
Curtain wall mock-up panel
Current metal panel curtain wall system
8
Outline
The Problem
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Material availability by Marcon Roofing
 Thesis Theme
 Delays due to supplier backlog of work
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Pre-
 Damaged panels upon arrival on-site
cast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
Construction of the curtain wall system
 Constructability challenges
 Snap-on cover strips from a 3rd party manufacturer
 Cost implications
 Expensive material costs
9
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
The Result
 Multiple delays in the project schedule
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Pre-
 Final completion date pushed back
cast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
 Poor image of the construction manager
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
Missing panels on front façade of building
10
Outline
The Solution: Pre-cast concrete
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Extremely durable for climate
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
 Can be cast to resemble architectural features
Aluminum Panel vs. Pre-
 Color matching using dye ad-mixtures
cast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
 Increased fire protection
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
Exterior texturing to simulate aluminum
panels
 Low reflectance of concrete to fit into surroundings
Exterior texturing to simulate aluminum panels
11
Outline
The Solution: Pre-cast concrete
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Supplier: High Concrete
 Thesis Theme
 No delays in schedule (removed from the critical path)
 65-day savings
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Cost savings
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
High’s facilities – Denver, PA
 Revit Quantity Schedules used for SF take-offs
 Aluminum costs vs. RS Means pre-cast concrete costs
 Constructability
 Snap-on cover plates vs. caulking
12
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
ANALYSIS 2
Developing a Sustainable Photovoltaic Panel System
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
13
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
Background
 Hundreds of high-energy consumption devices
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
 LEED Silver Rating

Geisinger’s Headquarters – Danville, PA
Construction practices and materials, NOT DESIGN
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
 Geisinger is a leader in “green” medical facility
construction
Gray’s Woods – LEED Gold Certified
14
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
Objective
 Propose a grid-tied
photovoltaic (PV) array that will
provide an energy reduction
without much physical impact
on the architectural aesthetics of
the building.
15
Revit Solar Studies
Outline
Solar Analysis
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Found peak hours of sun exposure based on
 Architectural Breadth
location (9am-3pm)
Aluminum Panel vs. Pre-
Sun Path Chart for Bloomsburg, PA
cast Concrete Facade
 Used Revit model to perform shadow
 Electrical Breadth
simulations
Solar Analysis
 Created exact shadows based on latitude & longitude
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
World Insolation Map
16
Outline
 Project Overview
Determining the Site Lighting Load
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Offset the energy load of the site lighting using
 Architectural Breadth
PV panel array
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
 Use panel board schedules to determine
lighting load
 Total load: ~11kW
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
17
Outline
Choosing a PV System
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Uni-Solar PVL-144 Panel
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Fronius Inverter
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
Fronius Array Configuration Tool
 “Peel-and-stick” technology
 Minimal installation required
 No additional structural design considerations
 Fronius IG Plus 10.0-1 Inverter
 Max 11.5kW power
 Creating the array
 Configuration Tool – 10 modules x 8 strings =
11.5kW
Installation of Uni-Solar panels
18
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
Placing the Array
 Thesis Theme
 Optimal solar gains along west portion of
 Architectural Breadth
roof
 Minimal shadows from rooftop mechanical
units
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Proposed solar panel
placement
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
Aerial view of roof with solar panel placement
 Conclusions
 Questions
19
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Cost Impact
 Total cost of materials for system: $70,796

Does not include installation costs
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
Payback Period
 Cost Estimating Using
 PV Watts by National Renewable Energy Labs
BIM
 Payback period: 49 years
PV Watts output data screen
 Conclusions
 Questions
20
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
Recommendations
 Thesis Theme
 Sustainable systems are important for our
 Architectural Breadth
environment
 Geisinger should consider a PV system
 The proposed system’s payback period is too
long
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
Typical PV panel array
21
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
ANALYSIS 3
Estimating Cost Using Building Information Modeling
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
22
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
Background
 No model was provided prior to estimating
 Three significant hand estimates were
performed
 Total time spent: 43 days
Critical Industry Issue
 PACE Seminar: “How can BIM be used in
estimating?”
 Implementing BIM into the CM estimating
process
23
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
Objective
 Compare traditional estimating
methods against BIM estimating
methods for accuracy and
efficiency in the structural system
estimate.
24
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
Traditional Estimate
 Taken off with ruler and scale
 Accurate to only nearest foot due to quality of
drawings
 Prices generated from RS Means
 Estimated Cost: $1,166,098
 Total estimate time: 6 hours
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
25
Outline
Revit Quantity Schedules Estimate
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Created a schedule in Revit
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
Creating a Quantity Schedule in Revit




Sorted columns and beams by size and length
Exported spreadsheet to Microsoft Excel
Estimated Cost: $1,166,129
Total estimate time: 45 minutes
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
Creating a Quantity Schedule in Revit
26
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
Autodesk Quantity Takeoff Estimate
 Exported Revit structural model to DWFs
 Opened DWF in QTO
 Extremely easy to visualize the takeoff
 Additional time for software instruction and
installation
 Identical quantities as Revit Quantity Schedule
 Total estimate time: 5.5 hours
Exporting Structural Revit Model to QTO
 Conclusions
 Questions
27
Outline
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
Comparison of Methods
 Revit Quantity Schedule was the fastest method
 QTO only took 30 minutes after training
 All methods were within 0.01% of each other
 May not apply for more complex estimates (curved
surfaces)
 Currently BIM takeoffs are only used as
verification
 Have potential to soon be trusted as alternative method
 Large savings in project schedule
Time Spent on Each Estimate
6
5
Time Spent (hrs)
 Project Overview
4
Manual
Revit
3
QTO
2
1
0
Takeoff
Estimating
Total
Bar chart showing time spent on each estimate
28
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
Conclusions
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
29
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Pre-
Pre-Cast Concrete Façade
 Good architectural substitute
 Substantial cost and schedule
savings
 Revit used to generate total SF of
curtain wall
Estimating Using BIM
Sustainable Photovoltaic Panel System





Important to consider sustainability in construction practices
Initial design to use “peel-and-stick” PV panel system
Quantify the energy return – Site lighting
Re-evaluate sustainable PV system for faster ROI
Revit used to perform solar shading studies for maximum sun exposure
 Critical Industry Issue – “How do we use BIM for
estimating?”
 Faster, more accurate estimates
 QTO allows for more detailed, complex schedules
 Transition to automated takeoffs is the future
 Revit and QTO used to perform quantity estimates
cast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
30
Outline
 Project Overview
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
The Future of Building Information Modeling
 BIM technology becoming a new industry
standard
 LEED, 3D MEP Coordination, Electronic Document
Sharing
 Becoming more accepted by subcontractors
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
What does this mean for construction managers?
 More efficient projects
 More money and time saved
31
Acknowledgements
Outline
Penn State University
 Project Overview
Dr. Magent
Dr. Riley
Professor Holland
 Project Background
 Thesis Theme
Alexander Building Construction
 Architectural Breadth
Aluminum Panel vs. Precast Concrete Facade
 Electrical Breadth
Solar Analysis
 Cost Estimating Using
BIM
 Conclusions
 Questions
Questions?
Stephen Wilt
Mike Stambaugh
Dave Carll
Tim Kay
Tina Petrie
Erica Craig
Geisinger Health System
High Concrete Group
Industry Professionals from the PACE Roundtable
32