In 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Global Benchmark Program released its Building Information Modeling for Infrastructure (BIM) study, highlighting how six “BIM-mature” nations used access to shared, precise data and analysis to enhance the delivery of their transportation projects from start to finish.
While every project these countries undertook was unique, the BIM study found a number of best practices that organizations can apply to their capital projects throughout their lifecycle. From planning to maintenance, these best practices were found to improve collaboration, efficiency and risk mitigation and enhance design efficiency and cost savings.
Each of these benefits was rooted in the BIM’s use of a common data environment, which provided a single source of data for all stakeholders and workstreams, enabling efficient data management, more precise data-driven decision-making and real-time insights.
Here’s how your organization can integrate the use of BIM for your capital projects at each phase of your effort, no matter its size or scope.
Applying BIM across the infrastructure capital project lifecycle
From initial planning through design, construction and maintenance, BIM provides capital project teams with a comprehensive approach to managing and executing their projects effectively and efficiently.
BIM’s role during the planning & design stage
With its ability to integrate and represent multiple data sources, BIM provides a shared digital representation of a planned asset, facilitating detailed analysis, visualization and early-stage issue identification.
In particular, teams can:
- Perform existing conditions modeling and site analysis. BIM is used for modeling existing conditions and conducting site analysis, providing a comprehensive understanding of the project site and informing the design process.
- Support geotechnical investigations and design. For geotechnical investigations, BIM supports the analysis and modeling of subsurface conditions, crucial for designing infrastructure like roads and bridges.
- Create 3D designs and technical visualizations. BIM enables the creation of detailed 3D designs, serving as a technical visualization tool for public information and facilitating interdisciplinary coordination.
- Complete quantity estimation, structural analysis and sustainability evaluations. BIM is used for estimating quantities, conducting structural analysis, collecting preconstruction survey data and conducting sustainability evaluations, ensuring the project's feasibility, safety and environmental compliance.
Leveraging BIM during the design phase
BIM’s biggest strength during a capital project’s design phase is its ability to facilitate the identification of design clashes during the mock-up phase, helping to eliminate costly delays and make real-time changes.
In addition to clash detection, BIM can be used for:
- Bid-package preparation and quantity take-offs: BIM can facilitate the preparation of bid packages and quantity take-offs, providing accurate and detailed information for construction planning and budgeting.
- Technical visualization and 4D modeling: BIM-informed 3D design can act as a technical visualization tool for work zone review and management. Taken further, BIM can be used to add scheduling and activity sequence modeling that transforms the model into a 4D tool, helping with resource coordination and project management.
- Construction inspection and payment conditions evaluation: BIM can also be used to perform construction inspection and evaluate the satisfaction of payment conditions by making it easier to compare as-built to as-planned assets. BIM data can also highlight deviations from the original plan.
Utilizing BIM during the construction phase
As projects move into the construction phase, BIM continues to be a powerful resource. For example, BIM can be used to facilitate comprehensive construction planning and safety reviews, ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and prepared for the construction phase.
For example, BIM can provide a platform to measure progress or quantities for payment, track construction progress and manage the construction site efficiently with input from all of the various elements. As a result, projects can benefit from more visibility, coordination and risk mitigation.
Applying BIM during asset management
All of the data collected throughout the lifetime of a project can then be used to inform the asset management phase. In particular, incorporating BIM during asset management can assist with creating detailed as-built models of assets, encompassing not only the physical structures and pavements but also supporting elements such as drainage, hydraulics, culverts, road geometry and even signage and striping.
BIM also provides a platform from which to capture the precise physical conditions and environmental aspects of the facility through advanced record modeling before transitioning this as-built model into asset management systems for the operations stage. Once done, asset management teams can use the data to aid in maintenance, safety checks and decision-making for future repairs, leveraging essential data from both the design and construction stages.
Maximizing the impact of BIM
BIM can be a versatile tool for capital project teams to use across the lifecycle of a program, but not every application will be the same.
This is why it is important for teams to understand where and how BIM can assist with a capital project, evaluating the nature of a project and stakeholder goals to identify the right applications. To help guide this process, the BIM Project Execution Planning Guide Version 2.2, published by the Computer Integrated Construction Research Program at Pennsylvania State University, recommends drawing up a BIM project execution plan at the outset.
Using resources like these can help to ensure that each project maximizes BIM's capabilities effectively and is tailored to its specific needs.
