Abstract: A sleeve for forming a channel through a concrete slab is described herein. The sleeve includes a sleeve body with top and bottom ends extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the top end is wider than the bottom end. The sleeve includes an attachment flange attached to the bottom end that extends laterally outward with respect to the longitudinal axis. The attachment flange may be secured to a concrete form. An alternative sleeve has an attachment mechanism protruding from the first end of the sleeve body for facilitating the attachment of the sleeve body to a concrete form. In some embodiments, the sleeve can also include a removal mechanism disposed at the second end of the sleeve body to facilitate removal of the sleeve body from the concrete slab. Various sleeve configurations are described, some of which are reusable and some of which are one-time use only.

Abstract: A method for generating a three-dimensional model of a building includes providing a processor, receiving an indication from a user for a two-dimensional path for a wall, and retrieving parameters for the wall from a database. The method also includes determining that part of the wall may be constructed using a prefabricated component and preparing, using the parameters for the wall and the path for the wall, a model for the prefabricated component for use in construction of the wall. The method further includes preparing, using the processor, a three-dimensional model of the wall using the two-dimensional path, the parameters for the wall and the model for the prefabricated component and adding the three-dimensional model of the wall to a model of a building.

Abstract: Construction design layout devices and systems are provided herein. An example device includes a chassis configured to translate along a floor, an optical prism mounted to the chassis that reflects signals from a base station, a marking assembly mounted to the chassis, the marking assembly having at least a marking device that physically marks the floor, and a controller configured to receive construction instructions comprising floor markings defined by floor coordinates, translate the chassis along the floor in alignment with the floor coordinates, and transfer the floor markings to the floor during translation using the marking assembly.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a computer implemented method for monitoring construction. The method may include receiving information about a construction project. The received information may include information about construction milestones and schedule information about the construction milestones. The information may include graphical data related to the construction milestones and the schedule information. Information about the location of a computing device may be received. Based on the location information and the information about the construction project, a graphical display user-interface may be prepared. In an embodiment of the invention, the display may include a visual representation of expected progress of the project. The display may include information about expected activity related to the project for a period of time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method for generating a skeletal view of a building including receiving location information and spatial orientation information for a computing device. Further, a field of view may be determined based on the location information and spatial orientation information. The computing device may then receive information about a building at a location near the computing device, and identify a structure in the field of view of the computing device. Based on the information about the building, the structure, and the field of view, a graphical representation of the structure may be prepared and displayed.

Abstract: A method for generating a three-dimensional model of a building includes providing a processor, receiving an indication from a user for a two-dimensional path for a wall, and retrieving parameters for the wall from a database. The method also includes determining that part of the wall may be constructed using a prefabricated component and preparing, using the parameters for the wall and the path for the wall, a model for the prefabricated component for use in construction of the wall. The method further includes preparing, using the processor, a three-dimensional model of the wall using the two-dimensional path, the parameters for the wall and the model for the prefabricated component and adding the three-dimensional model of the wall to a model of a building.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method for automatically designing MEP for a building. The method may include receiving information about the building including a first structural model of the building, and retrieving design specifications from a database, including information about local building codes, physical laws and building design rules. Information about available MEP components may be retrieved from a component library. The information about the building and the design specifications may be analyzed to determine additional elements for the first structural model of the building. A second structural model of the building including the additional elements may then be prepared.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method for generating a skeletal view of a building including receiving location information and spatial orientation information for a computing device. Further, a field of view may be determined based on the location information and spatial orientation information. The computing device may then receive information about a building at a location near the computing device, and identify a structure in the field of view of the computing device. Based on the information about the building, the structure, and the field of view, a graphical representation of the structure may be prepared and displayed.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a computer implemented method for monitoring construction. The method may include receiving information about a construction project. The received information may include information about construction milestones and schedule information about the construction milestones. The information may include graphical data related to the construction milestones and the schedule information. Information about the location of a computing device may be received. Based on the location information and the information about the construction project, a graphical display user-interface may be prepared. In an embodiment of the invention, the display may include a visual representation of expected progress of the project. The display may include information about expected activity related to the project for a period of time.