BIM Case Study – Ruukki Industrial Harbour Building
Much of the project is being built underwater, and designing the structural reinforcements for heavily loaded concrete tunnels, which must also be waterproof, has proved particularly challenging for the designers, WSP Finland.
Ruukki’s construction department is accustomed to modelling and decided to use a BIM model from the outset, with TeklaStructures 3D software selected as the best method of handling the complexities of the project, as well as making it easier to deal with any modifications and extensions.
WSP’s role as structural designer included the concrete modelling and detailing. However, using the 3D software to model concrete proved more difficult than conventional 2D drawings, as 3D development manager, Kai Häkkinen explained. “A 3D model is built from separate components and there are joint lines between each item. So when we took 2D drawings from the model we had to hide the joint lines to get drawings similar to those you would get from a 2D drafting software such as Autocad. Also we had to detail the reinforcements accurately in the model so that they would be correctly shown in the drawings and in bar-bending schedules. This was more challenging than the more usual process of showing them in a drawing in their approximate places, then adding text to provide the required information.”
Despite these challenges the BIM model proved beneficial to both the client and the design team. Design errors were eliminated, fabrication information and drawings could be taken automatically from the model and accurate bill of materials reports were produced. BIM also resulted in more coordinated project management, improved communication between the team members and a better overall understanding of the project thanks to everyone collaborating on the same, constantly updated, model.