
#57: Transforming the Built Environment: ERDC team guides DOW, USCAE on cutting-edge techniques for building, maintaining facilities
From Power of ERDC by U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
May 5, 2026 · 37 min · Episode 57
About this episode
The episode discusses how the ERDC team is transforming the built environment through innovative engineering and design processes.
Technological advancements are dramatically changing how facilities are designed, constructed and maintained. Given the rapid pace of change, it is important for the Department of War and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to stay updated on the latest advancements and promote consistent standards across their facilities, while also seeking new innovations to improve mission execution. The Tri-Services CAD/BIM Technical Center of Expertise (TCx), which is based at the ERDC Information Technology Laboratory (ITL), promotes cutting-edge engineering and design processes for military and civil works facilities. The team advises the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as USACE, on innovative uses of various technologies – from computer-aided design (CAD) and building information modeling (BIM) to virtual and augmented reality, digital twins, artificial intelligence, and more. We speak with Nathan Jones and Brandon Meinert about how the team is working to transform the built environment. Jones is chief of the Tri-Services CAD/BIM TCx, and Meinert is a research general engineer at ITL.
People in this episode
Guests: Nathan Jones, Brandon Meinert
Topics covered
- facility design
- construction techniques
- maintenance
- technological advancements
- military engineering
- building information modeling
- virtual reality
Keywords
- CAD
- BIM
- digital twins
- artificial intelligence
- augmented reality
- military facilities
- engineering standards
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Department of War, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Tri-Services CAD/BIM Technical Center of Expertise (TCx), Information Technology Laboratory (ITL), U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force
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