BIM Usage of Highway Projects
There is currently steady and growing use of innovative digital technologies to design and construct capital highway projects and to monitor their condition and performance. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is gaining rapid acceptance in several infrastructure industries, including highway transportation.
In general terms, the earlier a decision is made in a business process, the greater its potential positive impact on important project variables, such as cost and time, as can be seen from the MacLeamy diagram .
For example, reviewing a planned motorway route in a realistic 3D environment with all the necessary indicators such as intersections and structures, in what can be called the information phase, can have a decisive impact on preventing complex and costly changes in the construction phase. Throughout the further design process, the designers should maintain a balance between the scope, schedule and cost – in line with the client’s budget and requirements. Any change can cost money and waste time. Traditional design methods usually require significant time and effort to produce cost estimates and scheduling information. However, with the use of BIM, all the schedules, quantities and other vital information are immediately can be taken. This simplification puts the designer and project team firmly in control over the accuracy of the design process, eliminates painstaking manual verification and improves cost efficiency and collaboration
As the project goes into detailed design, a huge amount of data will be form. Upon completion of the project, the twin digital model is forwarded to the contractor. The BIM model improves the transfer of data between designers and contractors as well. The amount of information delivered in this way, as well as its systematic organization, is far better than standard CAD project documentation printed on paper.
First BIM contracts showed a reduction in the number of change orders (%2-%12). BIM implementation increased awareness within the organization for the need to standardize data exchanges. The BIM application increased awareness among the project teams to verify the data coming from the construction to the project and from there to the technical offices. Document lead times have been reduced by five times compared to traditional processes.
Above, there is a survey study conducted for teams in managerial positions in a highway project. According to this survey, BIM methodology in highway projects;
1) By providing the most benefit, visuality allows us to have a healthier idea about the course of the project.
2) It increases coordination and cooperation in a multidisciplinary sector.
3) Design optimization can be provided to minimize revisions.
4) It reveals the mistakes made in the design.
5) You have the chance to experience a simulation of the construction beforehand
6) Very fast changes can be made on the 3D model.
7) It can effectively share data between multidisciplines.
8) All stakeholders involved in the project can follow all updates on a single model.
9) A more organized system and speed are provided in data sharing with less paper work.
Highway Projects Modeled by Various Designers
Peljesac Bridge, built using the Bim methodology
References:
Building Information Modelling (BIM) Implementation for Highway Project from Consultant’s Perspectives in Malaysia
E Halim1, A Mohamed2 and M S Fathi1
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/971/1/012003/pdf
Building Information Modelling (BIM) for road infrastructure: TEM requirements and recommendations/2021/United Nations
https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/2017495_E_pdf_web.pdf
Building Information Modeling (BIM) Practices in Highway Infrastructure/ 2021/FHWA Global Benchmarking Program Report
https://international.fhwa.dot.gov/pubs/pl21024/fhwa_pl21024.pdf
ERAY BURUKOĞLU