Can you imagine that more than a thousand experts are involved in one project and they are drawing the road on paper? Me neither. The infrastructure projects we know today became demanding and complex. Capable software enables architects, civil engineers and other users to work easier and get more creative. In construction, 3D modeling brought numerous benefits. The most visible advantages are that those 3D models are easy to create and understand, allow quickly spotting clashes and save us a lot of time and money.
In recent years, 3D modeling has been replaced by Building Information Modeling (BIM). The main difference is that the BIM models allow sharing and managing information, which means that the models are enriched with important data. The major benefits of the BIM process are more accurate and streamlined planning, the output is higher-quality, error reduction, better communication and cooperation between teams and much more.
CGS Labs software has been enabling BIM planning for several years. To further improve this process, we decided to do a demo project in Plateia program, in collaboration with company Bexel, which develops BIM management software that includes the most important 3D, 4D, 5D and 6D applications of BIM technology. In addition, the goal was also to look for possible flaws in Plateia. This project was originally created by the company PNG. This is a Slovenian company with a 20-year tradition in civil engineering, which successfully participates in the most difficult highway projects. They are mostly involved in designing roads and other engineering structures.
3D model of road, made with Plateia software
The construction documentation was prepared in 2015. The project involved the reconstruction of an approximately one-kilometer-long section in the town of Godovič. It included the construction of a new roundabout and pedestrian walkway, reconstruction of the existing three-lane intersection and arrangement of local and regional roads. In addition to the construction of the road, the project also involved the building of resistant and supporting walls, drainage arrangements, plans of public infrastructure and lighting plans.
3D visualization of planned regional road in Godovič
The process of drawing a BIM model in Plateia is very similar to classical design. The main difference is in defining sample lines and making the cross-sections. At the beginning, we defined alignments and sample lines. If the user wants to create a very accurate 3D model, he has to draw a sample line at each location, where the cross section of the road changes. Then we continued with longitudinal profiles and cross – sections. When we were editing cross-sections, we had to planimetry each element that we wanted to draw as a 3D solid. Once we were done with cross – sections, we defined property sets and then drew a 3D model. Then we exported the models to IFC and Bexel made a 4D and 5D simulation.
New retaining walls on the access road, which increase traffic safety
We came to the conclusion that we can make a very accurate BIM model in Plateia, but sometimes it takes a little bit longer. The challenge for the future development is to automate the planning process as much as possible in a user-friendly way. Our main goal is to make the work easier for the users and enable customers to design the most difficult infrastructure with our software solutions.
THANKS:
We would like to thank the company PNG projekt nizke gradnje Ljubljana, d.o.o. from Slovenia who let us use their real-life project design as a base for our pilot BIM project.
If you are interested in Plateia and would like to get further information or download a free trial.
