Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Infrastructure Projects

Have you ever thought about the models existing in the BIM world? There are different types of models in the infrastructure projects. They serve both as a representation of the future and the present state. I would like to describe the various BIM models in the infrastructure projects that appear in this article below.

Base model

The basic models associate with the existing 3D BIM modeling objects in the on, below and above ground of the project area at a particular time. These base models are drawn from the raw data I discussed in this section and can encompass many features such as terrain, mineralogy, natural environment, technical facilities, buildings, population levels etc.


The base models present the design space in a three-dimensional perspective. Various states of affairs include many physical objects such as the topography, infrastructure and also vegetation on the one hand; conditions like risk or protection on the other. Models used in the analysis and serving as a foundation for planning, engineering, and building operations are very basic models.


Modeling principles

  • Before modeling the base models, data quality at the initial level should be verified.

  • The base model should include information concerning the current elements in the design area.

  • Industry models may include some modified components.

  • Initial data should have 3D geometry used in the calculations or those that are being deleted / changed.

  • Data that is merely meant for the visualization inside the given model and does not actually enter into calculations can have raster shapes.

  • The description of each base model includes the following information:

  • What base data to include

  • Location requirements

  • Geometry requirements

  • Coverage factor requirements

  • Metadata requirements

  • Requirements for data format

Model of existing situation

The current situation model should reflect all the base models that are used in the design phase.


The aim of an existing situation model is to collect all the necessary information about the current state into one common view where elements and components can be displayed both in conjunction or individually. The situation model should serve as a good basis for further analysis, planning, and engineering.

Modeling principles


The model should reflect the current situation in the area of design when designing it.

Anything that does not already exist within the given situation models

However, all missing elements need to be present as blanks in the model.

Separation should be possible to demonstrate the base models.

Parts that are part of the base models should undoubtedly be viewable independently.

Discipline model


The discipline model includes new or some modified base entities. Based on the situation models that exist, discipline models are being built. Objects are created from 3D geometries and can represent physical entities or underground, below the ground, or above-ground conditions in the design area.


Discipline models are used for:


  • planning and visualization of the future situation

foundation for the planning, modeling and visualization of the remaining thematic elements.

  • basis for analysis

interdisciplinary coordination and quality assurance

In the construction phase design, plans for stakeout data machine control are qualified to work.

Modeling principles


  • The specifications of the quality requirements discipline models are found in the Norwegian Public Road Administration manuals.

  • Design is an iterative process

  • Designing solutions in the discipline model may change, e.g. as a result of: analysis

  • in other industry models

  • interdisciplinary quality control

  • Discipline model content needs to be synchronized and the level set in mode interdisciplinary

  • The output on the build site is derived from discipline models' content.

Interdisciplinary model


The interdisciplinary model should cover all of the industry models used in any project phase. The objective of the interdisciplinary model is to gather all pertinent information regarding the planned situation in a unified model such that either all relevant issues and thematic elements or some parts thereof can be shown ‘together’ or separately. This model is being used by the interdisciplinary quality control, for output data generation and coordination basis.

Modeling principles


Should depict a situation that was planned in the design area when developing the model.

Do not include any other elements, except those that are presented on the discipline models

Missing disciplines should appear as the blanks within the model

All discipline models should be able to showcase in the insulation,

Industry model constituents must be renderable in the insulation

Coordination model

Coordination models should imply the base models and also discipline models included in the design phase. The coordination model consists of a view that describes the future situation and collects all data concerning their existing and planned state.

The coordination model can be used for:

  • project coordination,

  • interdisciplinary quality control,

  • The support of decision-making in the given project,

  • In the project development of solutions,

  • management, technical descriptions, and also progress tracking.

  • It is used as the base to compare analyses, model views, presentations, and other output data.

  • presentation of the selected solutions by decision makers and also for citizens.

  • Tasks of visualization work in the construction phase are always important.

Modeling principles


  • The plan must display, in the design area, what is to be shown at a specific time after the conception of the model.

  • I'm sorry, but I don't have the information about basic and discipline models.

  • The disciplines, which are not included nowadays should be present as blank spaces in the model

  • Isolation display is required for all disciplines and base models

  • Displayable individually, the professional models must contain all components.

Conclusion

It is clear that there are several different types of models. It is important to note at this point that the existing situation model, interdisciplinary model, and coordination are under the control of a BIM Coordinator. Quality control of the basic and industry models is one of the designer’s main duties.


In the given above text, I have provided a general separation of the BIM models. In the following articles, I will focus on detailing base models and also industry models.