For the construction of the Unipol Sai Tower, topographers work on-site every day with the task of communicating coordinates on three axes in order to be able to position each single construction component. The coordinates are based on the BIM model that was created.
The structural engineer positions the main carpentry, then the secondary carpentry, the facades, and finally, the facade cells are placed on them, following adjustments of the order of more or less 15 millimeters (0.59 inches).
It is clear that if you did not have such an advanced design behind you, you would not be able to find the correct position of all the elements. The two concrete cores have a structural as well as a distributive component.
The most complex element is the primary structure of the diagrid rods. The peculiarity is that the apprehension node of the facade portion corresponds to the cross nodes of the diagrids. Our facade is made up of rhombuses 25 meters high and 9 meters wide. The facade is, for us, a vertical construction site. The carpenters assemble all the boards of each rhombus.
Subsequently, the construction crane lifts and goes to position the portion of the facade at a precise point, which is then blocked in a single pin and with connecting rods in order to absorb the movements of the wind, the depressions, and any structural modification resulting from atmospheric agents. The load of the facade is borne only at one point of the diagrid.
Construction of this complexity can only be managed through a parametric design and a BIM model.