Abstract:
Professional industries - including the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC)
sectors - are undergoing a radical transformation. Spurred on by unprecedented
advancements in hardware and applications of evolving software domains encompassing
Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Big Data. Effective digital transformation
should not be characterised by digitisation of traditional workflows and methodologies.
Instead, successful implementation of systematic, standardised, and interoperable
workflows across geographical boundaries and time zones is a characteristic of the
modern progressive, digital civil engineering discipline.
This paper demonstrates the application of integrated algorithmic design and encoding
engineering knowledge and information - a necessary precursor for automation and
implementation at scale. This paper uses two civil infrastructure topologies as case studies
- one for a tunnelling project and the other for a multiple bridge design project. Both the
design elements and impact of digitisation on the entire value chain of the discipline are
emphasised. The emerging need for skills development (both traditional and evolving),
revised scope definition and relevance of project deliverables is also considered.
The presented examples demonstrate the iterative evolution necessary to realise a
coherent, digitised engineering design and delivery process, in tandem with the lessons
learned from failures and inefficiencies. Realisation of a transformed engineering industry
is predicated on the continuous investment in resources, technology, (re)training and skills
development by all parties, individual organisation, private, and public.
