BIM for Roads and Highways, transforming the equation between Architects and Engineers

A recent report suggests that BIM – building information market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21.6% from 2016 to 2022. Although, Building Information Modelling (BIM) has its roots in architecture, it’s a collective myth amongst design and construction professionals. They assume that BIM advantages, as delivered by BIM Outsourcing Company, are meant only for architects and are significant only to building design and construction. 

Actually, BIM is applicable to anything that needs construction, which also includes civil and infrastructure projects including roads, highways, tunnels and much more. As a matter of fact, according to McGraw Hill’s report, Business Value of BIM, civil engineers are embracing BIM software faster as compared to architects in the initial days. End-result being the common goal for architects and engineers, they opt for methods and standards of their own, which is a matter of concern. Let’s take a look at the specific benefits that BIM provides from a civil and infrastructure engineering standpoint and in what ways it transforms the equation between an Architect and an Engineer.

BIM helps in deriving current ground condition for civil work, using a variety of inputs such as GIS data, underground radar, laser scanning to develop reliable model of existing civil condition etc.  This model is than used to simulate the impact of the proposed design solutions, engaging community stakeholders and visualization for development. Construction documentation and design phases of the project are the crucial aspect for infrastructure projects, where BIM has been profoundly helpful. Also, spatial coordination and structural analysis are amongst the most commonly used applications of BIM, across phases of infrastructure projects including Rail, Bridges & Dams, Tunnels, and Ports etc. 

Building Information Modeling workflows with AutoCAD Civil 3D

BIM permits engineers to conveniently predict the performance of projects, prior to actual construction. It improves designs with precise analysis; foresee design variations at designated time, mock-ups, and offer greater quality of documentation. Furthermore, it authorizes comprehensive groups to extract valuable data from the model to aid into earlier decision making and further worthwhile project delivery. We tend to associate BIM with 3D visualization, but its way more than that. BIM crafts a body of information that can be used from commencement to decommissioning. 

Use of documentation software to support BIM workflows and AutoCAD Civil 3D for civil engineering designs is to accelerate project delivery, preserve more consistent data and respond more rapidly to discrepancy.  

AutoCAD Civil 3D software is the BIM solution structured for civil engineers, technicians’ drafters, architectural designers, and structural engineers working on transportation as well as water and land development projects, all in all the supply chain stakeholders. It provides extensive industry resolutions for both, CAD workflows and BIM workflows, in one cost-effective and flexible package.

InfraWorks 360 aids Highway Engineering Professionals generate data-rich models and engineer highways in context. It streamlines roadway geometry plan comprising of intersection design, with authoritative, rules-specified toolsets and analytic capabilities to help expose potential effects in the initial design phase.

The BIM course and its design models are the sole truth of design for planners, engineers, contractors, fabricators, and commercial and operational managers. It assists optimization of the design pertaining to function, time, and cost; and by virtually constructing the infrastructure; coordination is attained off-site. The construction sequence is streamlined. 

Better Construction Project Execution in the field is one of the ways in which model-based design and a BIM process in the office is having a big impact in the field and construction execution through GPS machine control. It has started transforming the Infrastructure construction in several parts across the globe, and will endure to do so in other countries too by making it feasible and convenient for Contractors to finish projects sooner, within budget, and with great accuracy. 

In fact, using GPS device control technology with Laser leveling and a Model, Contractors can match a design engineer's specifications within millimeters in the straight position and centimeters in perpendicular position and help with: 

Time savings: Building squads can operate 24/7 without having to postpone staking, cut sheets, and crews.

Safety: No one is in harm's way while the machineries are operating, as you don’t require anyone to grade stakes. 

Cost savings: Engineers save time throughout the modeling course, and contractors save time in the workplace and in the field. 

Green design: More effectual maneuver, results in compact material usage and waste, lower fuel costs, and more precise outcomes.

Accuracy: Starting from, design model to field, teams can greatly reduce interpretation/interpolation errors and costly rework. 

Construction sequencing: Users are competent to sequence construction, equipment, and materials and track progress contrary to logistics and timelines determined in the office by use of laser scanning for up-to-date as-built.

The eventual aid of 3D engineered models, offered by professional architectural cad drafting services, range beyond design and construction to the whole infrastructure life cycle, comprising of Maintenance, Operations, Asset management, and Planning for upcoming projects. After the 3D model is put up, it can be used for eternity, for managing roadway infrastructure and related rudiments such as lighting, signage, drainage, and structure maintenance.