New paths with building information modeling
Building information modelling (BIM), embedded in our digital work processes and networks, opens up new paths for us as engineers, which we help shape. With our extensive range of services, we have been accompanying the entire life cycle in civil engineering for many decades. We live digital networking beyond building information modelling, over the entire life cycle of all our structures, be it building or engineering structure, and always including its environment. Together with our clients, we agree on use cases and methods so that their ecological and economic objectives can be achieved successfully.
Digital integration and the pertaining digital work processes facilitate interface coordination and interdisciplinary cooperation with planning partners in the virtual project space.
The consistent application of the BIM method allows us to use the models for all desired use cases, such as modelling, the automatic generation of drawings, 4D scheduling and 5D cost management.
Our cross-location network furthers the development of our collaborative and integral way of working by carrying out joint projects, workshops and internal and external training sessions.
Structure data model – completely linked
A great amount of software is used to create our fundamental and structure models. We employ external software as well as digital tools developed in-house. The accurate assessment of the existing structure forms the foundation of successful BIM planning. Existing information is collected and processed in the early work phases.
The central storage of our models permits files to be worked on simultaneously by several people. This saves time and reduces duplicate entries, ensuring increased design security for all project participants. The attribuition of the models is another very important aspect of the BIM method. It forms the foundation for the implementation of all further use cases and follow-up processes.
Changes and optimisations in the design are everyday occurrences in infrastructure construction. Thanks to axis-based models and the use of parametric and adaptive structural elements, structure models can be created quickly and sustainably. Due to this type of modelling, our BIM models can be adapted at any time. Variant analyses or changes in advanced project phases can thus be implemented efficiently and consistently.
Model-based generation of drawings – always up to date
Besides 3D models, 2D drawings continue to be important in project management. Due to the associative linking of our drawings with the central BIM model, they can be generated directly from the model and are always up to date.
The attributes stored in the model allow us to create building element lists, automatically fill in title blocks or add intelligent annotations to elements. To do so, we use annotation objects, which are referenced with the semantic data of the models.
For the use case of drawing generation, GRASSL has created a clear internal standard which increases the efficiency in processing and ensures a consistent look of the drawings.
BIM coordination – it depends on the perspective
The consistent (general) BIM coordination of all specialist trades involved in planning is crucial for the successful implementation of a BIM project. We check and coordinate both the geometry and the great amount of information stored in the models. To this end, GRASSL has developed automatic mechanisms which check the models in terms of geometry and semantics.
Planning meetings occur in the virtual space directly at the model, which significantly improves the communication and collaboration between the project participants. Interfaces and collisions between the individual specialist trades can thus be detected at an early stage and quickly be taken into account.
A “big open BIM” approach is used in the exchange of our models. The use of independent data exchange formats permits consistent planning across all trades and project participants. Data exchange is generally carried out using the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) data format. The Industry Foundation Classes represent an accessible and software-independent data format for civil engineering. The exported models contain both geometric and semantic information.
We also use software-independent data formats for the exchange of change requests, i.e. issue management. The Building Collaboration Format (BCF) allows us to document these change requests and to allocate them to the planners responsible.
Costs and deadlines – under control thanks to 4D and 5D
The automatic and rule-based linking of time schedule processes with the respective building elements of the BIM model allows us to create simulations of the construction processes in a semi-automated manner. The graphic representation of the construction process in a 4D model can help improve the clarity of scheduling and reduce complications in the construction process.
The application of the BIM method offers further advantages in quantity planning and budgeting. The linking of the bill of quantities and the BIM model allows for the mapping of partial deliveries of materials with the respective elements of the BIM model. The quantities resulting from the model-based quantity determination are thus always up to date, which increases the degree of cost certainty. By linking the quantities with the cost metrics of the cost schedule, the development of costs over the course of the project can be simulated in a 5D model.
Visualisation – planning with your eyes
Whether variant design, animations or illustrations – visualisations offer plenty of advantages that are becoming ever more accessible with the application of the BIM method.
The term “visualisation” has many meanings and offers room for interpretation. In our BIM projects, it is our goal to illustrate complex relationships and information by representing them graphically. Decision processes in variant design are thus facilitated and the public acceptance of construction projects can be increased significantly.
Furthermore, photo-realistic visualisations can be created from the BIM models. More information on this can be found in the section “Digital”.