Which types of structural framing systems and materials are most commonly used in the US for residences? For office buildings?
What factors determine why these are the most used materials?
Wood framing or masonry is typically used for residences while steel and reinforced concrete are typically used in office buildings. This is because wood allows for relatively quicker construction than steel, while RC buildings are meant to support higher loads.
Why do different teams of designers and subcontractors link and share their models during the design process?
What are the advantages of linking models?
Are there any disadvantages to linking models?
How do you think design coordination was done before we started using digital models?
What advantages does doing this coordination digitally have over previous methods?
Design coordination was likely done similarly with shop drawings done on trace paper and overlaid other plans. The advantage of doing this digitally is a quicker turnaround for revision, more comprehension across 3D and 2D representation, and more flexible for designers.
What strategies can design teams use to find and avoid clashes prior to the start of construction?
What can be done besides sharing the models digitally?
At what point in the project development process should design coordination start?
Is it ever too early?
Ideally, you should design coordination at the start of schematic design (structural plans, MEP, architectural, etc.). It’s never too early since the sooner coordination is allowed, the less likely major rework of design occurs.