BIM for Infrastructure: Potential Applications and Best Practices

As it is reaching its maturity, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is becoming increasingly valuable for a wide range of potential applications. Construction, visualization, and healthcare modeling opportunities are just some of the many areas successfully using the concept, and the possibilities don’t end there. In fact, infrastructure can benefit significantly from BIM in the planning, design, and implementation stages.

The Benefits of Complex Modeling

Perhaps the single biggest advantage of BIM is its complexity. Unlike previous modeling opportunities, it allows anyone planning a construction or infrastructure project to feed a variety of variables into a singular system in order to build a comprehensive model.

That resulting model, in turn, can act as the guiding agent on the entirety of the building process, from first concept and presentation to final implementation planning and construction. The complexity of any major infrastructure project has long needed a system that allowed it to rely on a singular model for that entire project. Building information modeling finally turns that goal into a reality.

That’s because at its core, the outcome of BIM is more than just a 3D model. Instead, it is a data-rich object that, thanks to the wide range of variables included, is intelligent, knowledge-based, scalable, and visual. As Autodesk points out,

BIM (for infrastructure) is a process that uses the intelligent model to facilitate coordination, communication, analysis and simulation, project management and collaboration, and even asset management, maintenance and operations.

Potential Applications for BIM in Infrastructure

As a result of the unique overlap between the possibilities of BIM and the complexity of infrastructure planning, we are beginning to see a number of case studies in which the concept has been used successfully. Some of these case studies include:

The Crossrail Project in London, England

European readers might have heard about Crossrail, a new British high speed trained deemed by many as the continent’s biggest civil engineering project. The challenge was guiding the train through London, a city with one of the most complex infrastructure gridlines in the world.

Building information modeling made it possible. Despite a wide range of engineering and project management challenges, the final outcome (two 21 kilometer-long tunnels under London along with 40 upgraded or new stations) was a full success. The key was not just defining a digital model of what that would look like, but adding variables such as permits, maintenance schedules, related outages, and much more.

That’s where BIM entered the equation. The integration of spatial data was existential in guiding a new tunnel through a city that already possesses a large range of them. Finally, temporal data helped plan a project that was completed successfully in 2015.

New Buildings at the Shanghai World Expo Site

By all accounts, the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai was a massive success in celebrating Chinese culture and inviting visitors from around the globe to the far East. But what happens to a massive space like the one used in this event after its completion?

City government officials had a plan. They envisioned a development area rich with commercial buildings, public spaces, and recreational areas. Beyond that, an ambitious timeline of 4 years start to finish caused many experts to worry about feasibility.

Again, BIM proved to be the perfect match for the challenge. In fact, this BIM-guided infrastructure project won an AEC excellence award last year for its success. In just two years, the design was completed and all variables were calculated into the model. Two additional years later, construction was finished. That included an integrated plan for safe evacuation routes and energy efficiency, made possible through the variable data fed into the BIM model.

Riviera Beach Roadway Design

Like many smaller cities in the United States, Riviera Beach struggles with infrastructure. That was especially clear for a 1,340 -foot stretch on 34th street, which was in dire need of an overhaul. Unfortunately, the city’s two employees charged with capital improvement projects were overworked, and hesitant to plan this and other infrastructure projects.

That changed after embracing BIM as their major infrastructure planning tool. Thanks to a more integrated process and a singular planning model, Riviera Beach was able to effectively replace all water lines, fire hydrants, sub grade, base rock, pavement, curbsides, and sidewalks in the area.

After modeling the project, the engineers were able to expedite the planning process, and even experienced improved permit approval times. In all, the roadway design project was completed 60 days ahead of schedule, and $30,000 under budget – a major success considering its taxpayer-funded nature.

Denver International Airport

Anyone who has been involved in designing or renovating an airport knows that these are some of the most complex infrastructure projects around. Planning interior and exterior area, safe evacuation routes, as well as rail and road connections all intertwine with the space needed for the airport functions themselves.

Today, Denver International Airport is consistently considered one of the best and most traveler-friendly airports in the world. But that is only possible thanks to a recent, major renovation that took advantage of the BIM process.

How do you maximize security while minimizing traveler inconvenience? These seemingly conflicting goals can only be resolved when fed into a singular model. When that happens, the success was immense. BIM not only guided the implementation of the renovation, but is not responsible for the ongoing monitoring and maintenance of mechanical, electrical, plumbing and security at the airport.

Of course, these are just some of the many examples that point toward the immense value that BIM can have in planning, designing, building, and guiding large infrastructure projects around the world. At the same time, not every modeling project is created equal; to ensure success, you need to follow a number of best industry practices.

Ensuring Infrastructure BIM Success Through Best Practices

Given the above benefits and examples, the use cases of BIM for infrastructure become extensive and immense. But of course, simply buying the software and building a model is not enough. Instead, some best practices always have to be followed. These include, in summary:

1. Accurate data input. BIM relies on data, especially for complex infrastructure projects. Plug in the wrong parameters, and the model (and predictions) you get can be misleading at best.
2. Multiple source input. The Power of BIM, compared to the 3D modeling that came before it, is its complexity and ability to span the entire process of building infrastructure. But that also means input from sources of all stages is absolutely vital for accuracy and project success.
3. Stakeholder involvement. When planning with BIM, don’t do it in isolation. Instead, involve any stakeholders in the infrastructure project that could have valuable input. Too many cooks may spoil the broth, but enough taste testers ensure a quality dinner.
4. Continue updating the data. As you move through the project, variables will change. Timelines update, and walls have to be rebuilt. Instead of treating BIM as a static modeling tool, allow it to be the dynamic powerhouse it can be. Continue updating the data to stay on track for future success.
5. Forecast successes and challenges. The complexity of a building information model allows it to become a vital forecasting tool. But you can only take advantage of that if you diligently forecast both positive and negative scenarios. Understanding and predicting potential clashes is the only way to avoid them.

Of course, these are just some of the very basic best practices that anyone looking to utilize BIM in infrastructure needs to follow. Others include choosing a reliable partner for the planning and implementation process, and ensuring successful conversion from other modeling opportunities.

When followed, these best practices ensure one thing: a solution that meets the challenges posed by complex infrastructure projects. More than any of its predecessors, BIM prepares you to meet these challenges, succeeding and even saving resources in the planning and execution of roads, bridges, and much more.