An award-winning digital twin project is interesting on many levels, and not just because it features one of the world’s most famous landmarks.  Shown above: The AI-driven camera-based solution Italferr developed to capture the upper dome and galleries. Source: Italferr Davide Porzio, CDE manager, BIM coordinator, Italferr S.P.A. speaks enthusiastically about building a  digital twin for structural monitoring of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. It is understandable; this cultural icon is an art and architectural marvel. Plus, overcoming the challenges of digitally capturing and ..read more

How cloud integration can unleash its full potential In the building and construction industry, Building Information Modeling (BIM) has revolutionized the way professionals conceive, construct, and manage our built environment. Since its introduction in the 1970s, BIM has evolved from rudimentary 2D digital representations to becoming the backbone of modern construction projects. Today, its significance is felt across the globe, with governments, developers, and professionals hailing it as the linchpin for a smarter, more sustainable future for building and construction. BIM enables a more eff ..read more

Looking Forward  The concept of building information modeling has existed since the 1970s, although we certainly didn’t recognize it then. That’s when the first software tools developed for modeling buildings started to emerge. Those early applications and the computers needed to run them were expensive, so adoption wasn’t widespread.  BIM gradually evolved, though still far from what we recognize today as BIM, as software allowed things like time, cost, manufacturers’ details, and maintenance information to be included in the building model.  In the late 1980s computer-aided de ..read more

Using powerful simulation algorithms, this young and award-winning acoustics software startup from Iceland is making sound visible. No wonder it’s already creating a buzz in the BIM community. For Finnur Pind and Jesper Pedersen, success started inside a dark and windowless basement. Backed by a research grant in 2020 and a free room down in the acoustics lab of the University of Iceland, they started developing an innovative tool that will effectively model how sound moves inside built spaces. Their aim was to produce the highest fidelity possible than what currently available acoustic simula ..read more

For decades the construction industry didn’t change much-and then UAV technologies came along Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, as they are commonly called, are mostly electric-powered aircraft, which do not require a pilot onboard and are used to perform tasks that are either too dangerous for humans to do or too expensive with other methods. Today drones are used to make deliveries, inspect infrastructure, perform public safety functions such as monitoring of active crime scenes, fire detection and even fire suppression, but one area that has particularly benefited from the drone r ..read more

A $10 billion construction project will change the future of energy The task of getting clean, efficient energy created and distributed from Texas to the rest of the world is no small-or easy-task. And certainly not inexpensive. But the future of energy may well depend on the process of liquifying natural gas and shipping it out across the world. Natural gas can play an important immediate role as a transitional fuel (particularly in developing countries), helping phase out coal and thus immediately reducing CO2 emissions and air pollutants. Texas produces more natural gas than any other state ..read more

Throughout January and February xyHt.com is featuring young geospatial professionals who are making a name for themselves in everything from surveying to geographic information systems. xyHt featured all of them in the Name:  Teresa Zgoda Company:  Phase One Current Position:  Systems Support Engineer Age: 26 Education: BS in Biomedical Photographic Communications Biography: Teresa provides technical support and training for the full range of aerial camera systems.  Offering ready assistance for any troubleshooting needs and performing on site installations of camera system ..read more

Throughout January and February xyHt.com is featuring young geospatial professionals who are making a name for themselves in everything from surveying to geographic information systems. xyHt featured all of them in the January issue. Here we will spotlight one each day. Name: Denver Winchester Company: Crafton Tull  Current Position: Vice president Age: 32 Education: Associate of Applied Science in Surveying Technology from Oklahoma State University Biography: Denver serves as director of the Oklahoma Society of Land Surveyors District 6. He is an expert in riparian boundary surveys, GIS ..read more

Throughout January xyHt.com will feature the young geospatial professionals who are making a name for themselves in everything from surveying to geographic information systems. xyHt featured all of them in the January issue. Here we will spotlight one each day. Name: Drishti Valecha Company: Woolpert Current Position: Aviation Research Analyst Age: 28 Education: MS in Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with Distinction; National Aerospace University Kharkiv Aviation Institute (Ukraine), Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician Biography: Drishti is a research ana ..read more

Throughout January xyHt.com will feature the young geospatial professionals who are making a name for themselves in everything from surveying to geographic information systems. xyHt featured all of them in the January issue. Here we will spotlight one each day. Name: Michael Thomas Company: Woolpert Current Position: Geospatial/Lidar Technician Age: 25 Education: MS in Digital Mapping from University of Kentucky; Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science and Cartography, University of Kentucky; BA in Geology/Earth Science, College of Wooster Biography: Michael joined Woolpert as a ..read more