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It is probably true to say that the use of Building Information Modelling in the civil engineering sector has been quite slow to take off certainly when compared to the architectural and structural sectors. However, it is clear that we are set to see a rapid increase in demand, driven by public sector projects and end clients who see the value of a BIM in supporting their ongoing operation and maintenance of assets.

Causeway recognised a few years ago that BIM was here to stay and set out on the path of introducing BIM features to the Professional Design Suite (PDS), our 3D civil design package (see boxout, opposite for more details).

The BIM journey for PDS began in 2012 when we started to explore the benefits of enhancing our traditional Line and Sign software modules to enable them to work with 3D models and attach BIM data for use in collaboration environments such as Autodesk Navisworks and Bentley Navigator. This has very much been an evolution of the products - incorporating feedback and input of requirements from customers such as Jacobs (mainly the Line and Sign packages) and WSP (the main civil design package) and their clients. By the beginning of 2015 this collaboration has resulted in the PDS suite of products being the most comprehensively BIM-enabled infrastructure design package on the market.

LEARNING BY ENHANCING
The experience of enhancing the Line and Sign modules proved invaluable in laying the groundwork for the introduction of BIM compatibility to other PDS modules. For example, attribute tagging was a key requirement for Line and Sign and we found the most effective vehicle to attach attribute data to model components for use outside the native application was to use the DWF format.

Consequently, the ability to export designs from these and other PDS modules to DWF format ensures that all of the design attributes are attached to the design and can be interrogated within BIM collaboration tools. In addition to design attributes and geolocation data (the latter being requested by the then Highways Agency) which are extracted from the database, user defined attributes related to maintenance of an asset can also be included.

Initially, basic data about signs was introduced to test the concept. Such data included sign annotation, type, number and length of posts and the volume of concrete needed for base. It was discussion at this stage that led to a procedure for transferring this data easily and accurately in DWF format into a BIM collaborative environment. Subsequently, following these early tests, additional attribute data was introduced.

Other critical factors that came to the fore included the importance of ensuring any changes in the design were reflected in the attributes. This reduces the time spent on updating designs and mitigates the risk of errors or delays on projects. For example, within Line if marking attributes properties such as line length or width are changed in the model the marking attributes are also regenerated.

Similarly, in both Line and Sign, any change to the underlying design, the alignment design or model surface needs to be reflected in the marking and sign design. This has been achieved by implementing associativity between the design and the markings / sited signs. The obvious benefit is consistency in the workflow, time savings and surety that all aspects of the model update - and so too do the attributes.

It also became apparent that there was a need for the ability to add custom attribute data, such as where to source replacements posts and lighting replacement schedules. This principle has now been applied to subsequent developments throughout PDS.

In addition to supporting project design and implementation, the enhanced data that is now available can also be used to manage costs in the ongoing lifecycle of the project.

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