Currently, most academic discourse looking at the advantages of Building Information Modelling (BIM) is kept very general. This article evaluates how the use of BIM affects social and economic aspects of seven different tunneling projects. The analysis is based on internal project documentation and on-site visits, resulting in the authors subjective perception. Due to a confidentiality policy given by ongoing projects, the official documentation is anonymised. On one hand, the social analysis considers teamwork aspects. On the other hand, the economic assessment considers the optimised use of resources. The conclusion shows that the correct and complete implementation of all methods and tools from BIM increase social and economic sustainability, optimising project delivery in tunneling. As a result, among other things, on par communication, teambuilding, and mutual appreciation contribute to an increased social sustainability. Economic sustainability is directly associated with resulting short distances within the team and easy communication and coordination. Consequently, this leads to faster problem solving and a streamlined project execution.
This article analyses and discusses the current state of the art in the development of digital ground models in tunnelling. Following a review and discussion of the literature research combined with interview responses, a deficit analysis was performed. It shows why current projects mainly work with models and software that function as isolated solutions. A lack of software developments and limited collaborative work mean that the effects of current findings cannot immediately be implemented in models. Accordingly, the enormous potential of full coaction can only be imagined. A further problem is the lack of loss‐free data exchange across varying project phases and participants. Science is already moving in the right direction with the goal of harmonising the basic systematics. Finally, requirements for a digital ground model are formulated, and in combination with collaborative working and improved communication, these result in a large number of advanced possible applications.
The BIM pilot project ”New Köstendorf‐Salzburg Line“ for ÖBB‐Infrastruktur AG covers a new twin‐track section about 21 km long involving a wide variety of different engineering structures and a corresponding need for close interdisciplinary collaboration within a sensitive project space. The pilot project successfully achieved its objective of generating a largely software‐independent overall model and transferring the knowledge gained to the Employer's Information Requirements and subsequently to a BIM execution plan. In addition to internal coordination meetings, a preliminary external meeting took place to discuss the model elements required for a government agency as part of an approval process and the availability of such elements by means of direct access to the model.By adopting an integrated, collaborative approach to project management, it was possible to define extensive procedures and workflows adapted to the needs of the respective project partners for the single‐discipline models (specialist models) and to coordinate an overall federated model. The results of the co‐ordinated overall model show the ample opportunities afforded by a parameterised ground model for transparent risk and project assessment, paving the way for a holistic, phase‐based infrastructure information model. In this regard, the authors felt that it was important to adapt the project partners' established internal procedures only minimally and to translate them into BIM‐compatible, cooperative workflows.
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