The Shift to a New Dimension
SEEING BEFORE BUILDING
When people think about power reliability, they often picture power lines and substations. What they don’t see is how advancements in design technology are helping engineers plan projects more accurately before construction even begins. We sat down with Peter Agyeman, a Drafting Engineer, to talk about where design technology is headed.
A NEW DIMENSION OF DESIGN
There’s been a recent shift in the design engineering industry as designers are moving from two-dimensional design to utilizing three-dimensional design. While two-dimensional designs mainly focus on flat surface design, three-dimensional designs allow people to see around, over, and under models, which provides a more complete visualization of a project than traditional two-dimensional drawings. This helps with client communication, as clients can visualize the final look and feel of a project before it’s built. As technology advances, different solutions will be required for different design problems. Three-dimensional technology is a first step in seeing this change in approach to design. At KDM Engineering, it’s all about “What’s Next,” and adopting these tools isn’t just about keeping up with technology; it’s about improving the way projects are designed from the start. Agyeman states,
“As we develop our new tech, we should grow with that, so I am a big proponent of adapting to what’s new.”
WHAT LIES BENEATH
Our civil and drafting department has a specific focus on underground power. Designing and building underground systems helps avoid the need for additional poles and other infrastructure that can impact the look of neighborhoods, while promoting efficient ways for communities and businesses to receive power. Creating efficient designs also helps construction workers navigate around existing utilities beneath the ground, such as water lines, gas lines, and sewer lines. Three-dimensional models can help make these processes easier by reducing visualization issues and supporting a smoother construction process. This attention to detail helps create reliable underground infrastructure for the communities that we serve. The role of design is to translate engineering concepts into plans that clients and construction crews can confidently build from.
DESIGNING WHAT'S NEXT
Technology will continue to evolve as we move toward new three-dimensional design systems. As technology continues to improve, engineers can adapt their designs to meet changing societal needs and challenges, including the impacts of an evolving climate. With these advancements, safety remains a top priority in the design process. Our designs and new technologies can help create safer processes for those who build these projects while supporting the reliable infrastructure communities depend on. Agyeman states,
“I am excited to push the boundaries on civil engineering and learn from others all over the world.”
Everyone designs a little differently, and it’s important to learn from those not just locally but internationally. It’s all about improving communication, creating designs that can be easily interpreted, and using technology that can make construction more efficient. Civil design plays a huge role in improving reliability and keeping communities powered. As design technology continues to evolve, engineers who embrace new tools will be better equipped to deliver reliable infrastructure for the communities they serve.
Cover Photo by Inframap
Peter Agyeman
Civil Drafting Engineer
With a background spanning concrete formwork, underground and overhead telecommunications, and overhead electrical distribution, Aygeman brings a well-rounded technical foundation to civil design engineering. Skilled in both 2D and 3D AutoCAD, he combines sharp attention to detail with a steady, dependable approach to turning engineering concepts into accurate, buildable drawings.
