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Mortenson Construction Gets Innovation Award for Virtual Design Construction Technology [Manufacturing Close - Up]
[November 25, 2012]

Mortenson Construction Gets Innovation Award for Virtual Design Construction Technology [Manufacturing Close - Up]


(Manufacturing Close - Up Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Minneapolis-based, Mortenson Construction announced that Sera Maloney, PE, of Mortenson Renewable Energy Groups was named as the winner of the Be Inspired Awards in the Innovation in Land Development, Engineering, and Management category.



According to a release, sponsored by Bentley Systems, the Be Inspired Awards program recognizes the world's most outstanding infrastructure projects. The projects are submitted by Bentley's software users and judged by a jury of independent professionals who select finalists that exemplify vision and an unwavering commitment to exceptional quality and productivity. Selected projects within the Innovation in Land Development, Engineering and Management category must demonstrate excellence in planning, engineering, analysis, design, and management of site projects for buildings, plants, environmental, commercial, or governmental campuses.

Mortenson's award submittal was based on their ability to effectively use Virtual Design Construction (VDC) technology to overcome the challenges of building on environmentally protected lands owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for the Spring Valley Wind project located in Ely, Nevada. Mortenson modeled each stage of construction to optimize the layout of turbine parts and equipment. Reducing the project footprint by nearly 40 percent per turbine site, it significantly minimized the cultural, historical, and biological impact of construction. Owned by Pattern Energy, Spring Valley is the first wind project to be built in Nevada.


"We are very proud of Sera's accomplishments with VDC," said Mark Ruffino, VP of preconstruction for Mortenson's Renewable Energy Groups. Sera has been instrumental in introducing our customers within the renewable energy sector to virtual design construction technology and is considered as one of the leading experts in the industry. We are exceptionally fortunate to have her as a key member of our team." The company noted that VDC is a process used to enhance collaboration, reduce time and cost, and foresee project constraints before they occur. The process uses a CAD created model--typically created in 3D-- to virtually build the project before construction begins. Mortenson is one of the few renewable energy contractors using it today as a standard pre-planning component in the preconstruction process.

Mortenson Construction is a U.S.-based, family-owned construction company.

More Information: mortenson.com ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) (c) 2012 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved.

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