BUILDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE FUTURE WITH BIM

When using BIM on an infrastructure project, regularly updating the BIM model through the course of the scheme with detailed data is key to making sure the work is done as efficiently as possible. This was a key challenge for Skanska when upgrading the Milton Interchange on the A34 in Oxfordshire, which is why Topcon was enlisted to provide surveying equipment, giving the company precision information about the layout of the construction site.

The £11 million project involves a series of improvements to the existing junction, all designed to ease traffic congestion and boost safety for drivers. By feeding new survey and mapping data from the site into the BIM model as the project progresses, Skanska is finding scope to boost efficiency in a number of areas.

Andrew Small, the project director for the Milton Interchange, explained: “This is a relatively small scheme, but there are still great opportunities to use BIM to deliver efficiencies.

“Efficiencies include reducing health and safety incidents, programme [duration], impact on the general public, travel times [for motorists], and, primarily, getting things right first time.”  

By feeding data from Topcon products like the Falcon 8 unmanned aerial system (UAS) and LN-100 Layout Navigator into the BIM models for the site, Skanska is able to keep track of the scheme as it progresses.

In doing so, it can make changes during construction both to the computer model for the site and to the project schedule, enabling it to bring forward or push back particular phases of work to further reduce delays and cut disruption due to materials or equipment arriving before it’s needed.

Take a look here to find out more about how BIM is helping Skanska upgrade the junction and improve travel times for road users.