Integration in action

Havellanduatobahn experienced seamless integration during planning, building and operating.

Plan, build and operate with BIM from a single source

Project

At the request of their client DEGES, 5.5 km of the 65 km renewal and extension of the motorway line between the Neuruppin junction and the Pankow motorway triangle will be planned entirely with BIM with contractor Havellandautobahn.

DEGES contractually stipulates that the BIM contract line is at least five kilometres long, containing at least one structure that will be newly built. As a contractor, Havellandautobahn decided to process construction phase four with BIM.

The pilot project in the greater Berlin area is intended to show which measures and tools make the method a success – from planning to construction to operation. The construction time for the entire project is four and a half years, with the BIM contract line expected to take approximately two years.

  • “For our project, we have received the building SMART International Award 2020 Special Mention, not least thanks to DESITE BIM.”
    Thomas Tschickardt
    BIM Manager
5.5 km of BIM

Challenge

Such a project requires a lot of preparatory work and a clear structure, with the specialist planners providing a wealth of information that needs to be coordinated. There will be five specialist models: track, tank, site, building site, rest facility and civil engineering structures.

Various teams and stakeholders must exchange information and make informed decisions. This is particularly true for PPP projects where public and private companies work together.

The multitude of participants, the multi-layered processes as well as the handling of complex data models over large areas in the geodetic spatial reference are other factors that must be taken into consideration.

The technical models are divided into up to six sub models. The project planners use different authoring software to create these models. The ARGE A 10/A 24 will merge the models and carry out model tests in the first step.

BIM Manager Thomas Tschickardt is thrilled to be able to use Building Information Modeling (BIM) in this challenging project. “This allows us to reduce the number of sources of information and have a single ‘source of truth’. This reduces complications and turnaround times and increases productivity.”

A perfect fit for infrastructure projects

Solution

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is ideal for infrastructure construction due to the nature of the projects and the complex approval procedures. Currently BIM is less common in infrastructure than it is in building construction as the preparatory work for successful introduction of BIM can be complex.

To simplify the communication between the numerous project participants and to ensure the quality of the digital models, the BIM management team selected Thinkproject’s Virtual Design & Construction Management (VDC MANAGER).

VDC Management plays a crucial part in this project, for teams to see how it is possible to improve model quality even before coordination.

Development & support

Result

Thinkproject’s Virtual, Design & Construction Manager proved itself as testing and coordination software. With integration between CDE and BIM, coordination takes place directly on the exchange platform; this saves time.

During the mock-up phase, weaknesses any discrepancies in all areas: specialist planners, software ARGE etc. could be identified and resolved during the process. The mock-up phase also showed that ARGE A 10/A 24 had chosen the right data exchange strategy. Open BIM considers that the specialist planners involved in the project use six different software solutions for modelling. In addition to IFC and BCF, CPIMXL and LandXML were also used as open exchange formats.

Thinkproject demonstrated both in the test and in later use, that it can read, test and process the models of all specialist planners. The rule-based formal and technical verification of the models, collision check of the geometries, component-specific characteristics check, and the transfer of the models all worked smoothly.

Several specialist planners are using Thinkproject to test their models before handing them over. The BIM managers and coordinators have had to carry out a lot of preparation for this, and now there is a great deal of acceptance in the planning offices. “Overall, the processes run much smoother when (pre-)tested models are handed over,” says Thomas.

Lukas Hochreiter adds that “otherwise, consequential errors in coordination show up, the model must be uploaded to the planner for correction and in a new version. We are now saving this additional ‘round’.”

Due to the different versions, the number of models is growing rapidly. Of these, 80 models are active.

After the examination at ARGE A 10/A 24, the models are stored in the CDE in an area where the client can access and check data. The test is carried out based on a standardised process: ISO 19650 regulates the processes of BIM projects. In cooperation with the client, a leap in development has been achieved with BIM, although until further notice, the 2D plans are still subject to review and approval. However, these plans are now derived directly from the coordinated 3D technical models.

As part of this pilot project, the client can now also use the 3D specialists for tests and approvals and check automated inspection routines or any cuts, views and geometries.

Want to learn more about our solutions?

Thinkproject - The built asset lifecycle platform

Explore more asset stories

Contact us

Let’s talk about your asset

Tell us if you like to get a platform overview or focus on specific solutions. Our experts are looking forward to understanding your individual needs and showing how Thinkproject can support you!