PORR Romania - Transforming Processes with BIM Collaboration

A Trimble equipped bulldozer paving the way for the new Sibiu to Boita motorway   The focus of the research project is machine control, productivity management, and implementing a BIM approach. For machine control and productivity management, PORR uses Trimble hardware mounted on the machines together with Works Manager and VisionLink/Works OS on the software side. Dan, explains that there is no hesitation about the gains you got from using machine control and systems to manage the productivity for the machines.   The other part, to implement a model-based approach for the design data is a bit harder to measure. This is because the designers still work in a traditional way with most of the work aiming for drawing production and leaving a lot of work, for the contractor, to transform the drawing files to 3D models ready for further use in the field.    Before starting the project, PORR turned to SITECH Romania and Arkance Systems for help in setting up the right software and hardware environment. PORRs’ decision to use Trimble solutions was because of earlier good experience with Trimble as a provider of hardware and software. In one of the early workshops, Chris Dheere from Arkance Systems proposed Quadri, the common data environment and we decided to go for it.   

Trimble Quadri, a unique BIM-platform

PORR has been using Quadri to gather all the model data in the project, both design data and as-built data from the construction site. This gives them the ability to calculate volumes, compare the theoretical design to the actual result in the field, and track progress. The ability to calculate volumes directly in the BIM platform earns a lot of time and effort. This is a feature that makes Quadri unique. "Honestly, I say that Quadri is the most complete platform I have ever seen," Dan concludes.   Dan goes on and explains the workflow in the project; First, we receive data from our designers in the form of CAD models, some in 2D and some in 3D. The most common data we receive is 3D breaklines for the top of the road, the rest is in 2D. I usually model the road in Civil 3D, because that is the design tool I know best. Then I add the road models to Quadri to use as a  reference for the as-built data later on. I also add the existing terrain, orthophotos, and other basic material to the Quadri model. The modeling functions included in Quadri like triangulation of terrain, sweep, and extrude functions, are also unique features for Quadri if you compare it with other solutions.   We export the machine control files from Civil 3D and prepare them using Trimble Business Center before sending them to the machines, using WorksManager. This is a process where we could use Quadri even more integrated using the Quadri connectors both for Trimble Business Center and for Civil 3D, but that was not available when we started the project. So there is room for improvement in the next project, Dan explains.    The operators then do their work using the machine control files in the field and at the office, the surveying engineers provide them with updates using WorksManager, if the models are changed for some reason. As the machines move around they are monitored using VisionLink (now replaced by Works OS) and the machines also create data of the surfaces they produce when doing the earthmoving or building up the road body.  

Integration between office and field

Every day the data produced by the machines are brought into Quadri as surfaces. This provides PORR with documentation of what is done where and how much has been produced each day.   - With these surfaces, compared to the terrain surface, I easily produce a volume calculation directly in Quadri. The ability to perform volume calculations directly in the model is one of the things I appreciate the most with Quadri, Dan says.    The PORR surveyors also scan the workplace regularly and add the point cloud to the Quadri model as well. All this together gives a really good picture of the progress, the volumes, and how changes inflict the project in different ways.    Dan also wants to point out the good support he has received from Arkance Systems during the whole project. Dan summarizes and says that there is a lot more he wants to do regarding new work methods and integration between office and field. Trimble SiteVision is one thing that we want to use more and integrate into our daily business because that solution is a total game-changer for the whole infrastructure business, Dan tells us.