Complex infrastructure design in confined urban spaces
The Bergen Light Rail project involved complex infrastructure design in confined urban spaces. Positive experiences from previous construction stages showed that in construction stage 4, the Bergen Light Rail project had even more stringent demands for 3D modelling and the use of building information modelling (BIM).
Svein Rosseland, Contract Construction Manager at Bybanen Utbygging, says that BIM modelling makes it easier to identify challeneges and errors .
- With BIM, you discover errors and defects that previously would not have been discovered until the construction phase. It’s much smarter to use some extra time to rectify mistakes in the planning phase. Downtime during the construction phase can quickly become very costly, says Rosseland.
Revolutionising the working day
The construction part of the Bergen Light Rail project is split into five major groundwork contracts, including two in which NCC is the contractor. Although many construction companies are already using 3D modelling, not everyone has practical experience of the new technology.
- We have had very positive experiences with model-based work. Because you only have to familiarise yourself with one model, rather than thousands of drawings, the process is much easier and results in fewer errors. It has quite simply revolutionised how we work, says Knut Rune Brugrand, BIM Coordinator at NCC.
Requirement for BIM resources
Brugrand says that using models was challenging at first, but as the contractors became more familiar with BIM, they embraced the new methodology.
- We have seen a significant increase in the company’s overall skill levels – something we will benefit from for years to come. Not many people want to go back to drawings now, says Brugrand.
Brugrand plays a key role when preparing the BIM deliverables for optimal use in the construction phase.
Small number of large contracts makes the process easier
Bjørn Gisle Hodneland, BIM Manager at Norconsult Digital, has been appointed BIM Manager at Bybanen Utbygging for the duration of the project.
- As BIM Manager for such a large contract, I’m responsible for a huge number of assignments. One of the most important assignments is preparing and following up BIM requirements and frameworks together with the engineers and contractors in order to ensure that BIM benefits are realised, explains Hodneland.
Bjørn Gisle Hodneland
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