INFORMATION

MODELiNG
Periodico trimestrale di
ingegneria strutturale
a cura di
n u me ro 1
English/italiano

Best
IN QUESTO NUMERO
BIM FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
When BIM helps in Product Development
and Manufacturing

FLEXIBILITY AND INTEROPERABILITY

The key issues in BIM

practices
IL B.I.M. SI CONFRONTA CON LO
STRUTTURISTA
Una interazione sempre più richiesta

UNA ESPERIENZA SUL BIM CHE CONTA

L’importanza del BIM nello sviluppo degli
impianti MEP

on BIM
THE BIM OPENS OPPORTUNITIES
OVERSEAS
How Mantoan Progettazioni became a world
leader in BIM

CSPFEA INAUGURA I TALKS ON BIM

A cura della redazione

Anno 1 n° 1, Febbraio 2016 - CSPFea s.c. via Zuccherificio, 5 D - 35042 Este (PD) Italy - Tel. +39 0429 602404 - Fax +39 0429 610021 - info@cspfea.net

IM00_02.2016.indd 1 02/02/16 16:27

 Il tuo progetto.
La tua passione. Consulenza BIM
Il tuo risparmio.
La nostra consulenza.
La nostra professionalità.
La nostra Tecnologia
di Eccellenza.

Progettazione
Architettonica
Manutenzione

Progettazione
Costruzione Strutturale

BIM
BIM
Pianificazione Progettazione
Impiantistica

Fabbricazione Computistica

Progetto
Acquisti Preliminare

Dettagli
Costruttivi

Contatta il nostro Esperto!

Ing. Mirco Sanguin
CSPFea s.c. - Via Zuccherificio, 5D
35042 Este (PD) Italy sanguin@cspfea.net
www.cspfea.net +39 0429 602404

IM00_02.2016.indd 2 02/02/16 16:23

 INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1

Editoriale Sommario
Il Building Information Modeling è un metodo di lavoro che tenta Prof. Stefano Converso
di riscrivere i processi di produzione del settore AEC (Architectural
Engineering and Construction) in modo da ottenere dei veri processi BIM for the construction
industriali. Questa è la strada per l’efficienza indicata da primissime ri-
cerche accademiche (una cronaca di Charles Eastman sul BIM negli industry
anni ‘70, ancora attuale e davvero chiara, è “Conceptual Modeling When BIM helps in Product Development
Design”1) e successivamente dallo sviluppo del formato di in- and Manufacturing
terscambio IFC per arrivare alle prime normative, in particolare Pag. 4
quelle britanniche. Con questo numero Speciale di Structural
Modeling, che per l’occasione ho ritenuto di chiamare appunto
“Information Modeling”, CSPFea propone degli approfondimenti tematici su una materia Prof. Eduardo Cortes
che si presenta vastissima. Il BIM nasce dalla necessità di coordinare progetti complessi,
con la partecipazione di numerose discipline (pianificazione, urbanistica, architettura, im- Flexibility and
piantistica MEP, strutturale, etc), gestire la fase di costruzione (general contractor, imprese,
fornitori, DL, etc.) per proseguire con il ciclo di vita del fabbricato (Facility Management ed
Interoperability
eventualmente decommissioning dell’opera). Esistono diverse problematiche risolvibili con The key issues in BIM
strumenti software. Citando le fasi cruciali abbiamo il coordinamento (uno degli strumenti
Pag. 8
più affermati è Project Wise di Bentley), l’authoring (la creazione di modelli informativi
contenenti geometrie, parametri ed informazioni non geometriche) che si sviluppa in tools
integrati (ad esempio AECOsim permette di sviluppare Architettura, Strutture e MEP), o
tools specifici per ogni disciplina, per arrivare a funzioni specifiche di analisi 4D (studio e Ing. Paolo Segala
gestione delle fasi realizzative, essendo la quarta dimensione il tempo) e 5D (studio dinamico
nel tempo dell’andamento dei costi dell’opera, stima delle quantità o quantity takeoff, etc.).
Il B.I.M. si confronta con lo
Per non parlare del “detailing” che ha visto lo sviluppo di numerosi CAD 3D specifici per ac-
ciaio e calcestruzzo (la suite ProStructure di Bentley ne è un esempio) che devono dialogare
strutturista
Una interazione sempre più richiesta
con “round-trip” con i suddetti strumenti di authoring e coordinamento. Una rivista non ha il
compito di fornire un testo esaustivo sul BIM, il nostro obiettivo è di entrare in maggior pro- Pag. 11
fondità su casi applicativi specifici di ogni disciplina, dove lo strumento software può essere
di aiuto. Come al solito i software non risolvono l’ignoranza della materia da parte dell’utiliz-
zatore, ma sono piuttosto degli utili strumenti per svolgere al meglio un lavoro che l’utente Arch. Manuel André Bottiglieri
sa già come impostare. In questo numero, che speriamo sia il primo di una lunga serie, se i
lettori ne saranno interessati, iniziamo soprattutto intervistando alcuni BIM expert, anche a
dimostrare quali nuove professioni e opportunità di lavoro stanno nascendo all’interno della
Un’esperienza
galassia BIM. I testi, per la prima volta nella storia di questa rivista, sono spesso in inglese, sul BIM che conta
per dimostrare quanto ancora tale disciplina si rivolga ad un palcoscenico internazionale. L’importanza del BIM nello sviluppo degli impianti MEP
one Infatti il BIM, prima di essere una opportunità in Italia è già una certezza affermata nei grandi
progetti che si svolgono nei Paesi a maggiore tasso di sviluppo, dal Medio Oriente, al Nord Pag. 16
ica Europa, al mercato americano. La deformazione professionale, per uno strutturista come me,
porta ad approfondire anche la relazione tra il mondo BIM e l’analisi strutturale. Ho notato
come le discipline che si affidano a schemi di calcolo per i dimensionamenti, lo strutturale Interview to Massimo Mantoan
ma anche l’impiantistico, soffrono una impostazione BIM che rispecchia molto le esigenze
dell’architettura. Lo standard IFC, mi raccontava poco tempo fa un testimone diretto delle The BIM opens
prime riunioni del Gruppo che ideò il formato IFC, fu sviluppato soprattutto per considerare
le esigenze di quantity takeoff, rendering, analisi illuminotecniche e climatiche, al punto che opportunities overseas
i primi modelli “strutturali” ricavati da un interscambio via IFC risultavano ingestibili per How Mantoan Progettazioni became a world leader in BIM
complessità, contenevano una vastissima casistica di end-offset, parti non-strutturali inutili
a al calcolo, risultando in modelli analitici davvero inutilizzabili per le analisi strutturali. Que- Pag. 22
sto è un argomento sul quale vi sarà sviluppo nell’immediato futuro. È ciò che lo strutturista
deve chiedere agli sviluppatori di software strutturale. I developers di MIDAS Gen stanno
sviluppando delle soluzioni che saranno disponibili a breve e che a prima vista appaiono
davvero interessanti. Ma questo è un argomento che tratteremo in un prossimo numero. CSPFea inaugura
Auguro a tutti buona lettura e vi invito a mandarmi feedback: scrivetemi.
i Talks on BIM
Ing. Paolo Segala a cura della redazione
segala@cspfea.net - Twitter: @cspfea1
1
Fundamental Developments of Computer Aided Geometric Modeling, Ed. by Les A. Piegl, University of Florida, stampato Pag. 25
da Academic Press Limited, London, 1993, ISBN 0-12-554765-X

Le opinioni espresse negli articoli pubblicati dalla rivista Structural Modeling,

impegnano esclusivamente i rispettivi autori.
Editore: casa editrice Il Prato - www.ilprato.com
Progetto grafico: Enrico Cappellari - e.cappellari@alice.it www.cspfea.net
© casa editrice Il Prato © CSPFea s.c. CSPFea sostiene:
Sostenitore

! CSPFea distribuisce:
EUCENTRE

TNO DIANA A TNO Company

Build Soft N.V. civil engineering
software

3
IM00_02.2016.indd 3 02/02/16 16:24
 Prof. Stefano Converso

BIM for the

construction
industry
When BIM helps in Product Development
and Manufacturing

IM00_02.2016.indd 4 02/02/16 16:24

 INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1

Interview to
Prof. Stefano Converso
CEO of Cloud Design

How did you see the evolution of BIM in the last Practice, and I think he was right.
10 years? What was your experience in BIM in We have been called to help BIM Processes by clients at dif-
ferent steps of the process (architects, engineers, contractors),
the last 10 years in US? and that’s significant, I think. Now we are involved in a very
During my PhD studies about the spreading of digital technolo-
interesting project for the main Auditorium of the New Con-
gies in the AEC practice I moved to the US to investigate the New
gress Center of Rome, the so called “cloud” building by Massi-
York scene, that I was following as one of the more tied to apply
miliano Fuksas. The auditorium had to be cladded with doubly
the advanced concepts and workflows to daily practice and at all
curved wood and we’ve been consultants of the subcontractor
scales. One of the key articles of the times was titled “Frank Ge-
since the optimization phase towards the final CNC machining
hry for the rest of us”. It was describing the “change of scale” and
of components, that we controlled directly. Such transversal
questioning the possibility, for architects, to apply the concepts
role was, I think, a great proof of the “change in role” requested
and tools of complex projects, to normal practice. The article used
by BIM. We had to embrace much more responsibility that the
as core example the practice of SHoP Architects, and I came to
one we were used to. And interesting aspect, we had to spoke
know them, write about them, but more importantly, discover the
at different levels with different people, and select the right
“culture” that they were part of. I am talking about people like
kind of information for each of them. All of the above wold
John Nastasi, and his institute at Stevens Institute of Technology,
have been impossible without a strict relationship of partner-
but also younger researchers, that later joined, or directly founded
ship with the conctractor, a company called Devoto, devoted to
important offices of the actual scene. One of the more releveant,
manufacturing of complex furnishing systems. I said partner-
that actually is giving shape to such thinking in terms of practice
ship and not just provision of services on purpose, of course.
is CASE, founded by three professionals that left together SHoP’s
Complex form obliged such process in this case, but the kind of
office to start the new company. They are still promoting the most
relationship is true
advanced concepts and straighforward thinking around BIM, be-
to every real BIM
yond BIM in many senses, but always taking care of practice, and
real world application, as they call it.
process. This is just We don’t need new
one relevant ex- technicians, working in
ample of our “new a new niche. We need
BIM is a general term, did you see new practice”, always in-
opportunities in the application of Information volving new young “interface people”, that have
Modeling? professionals, we big parts of their work in
Yes many, of course. We don’t need new technicians, working in directly shaped retrieving information, and
a new niche. We need “interface people”, that have big parts of and involved in producing “bridges” between
their work in retrieving information, and producing “bridges” be- our research team domains, closing gaps in
tween domains, closing gaps in the overall workflow. They do it at Roma Tre Uni-
of course, through digital technology, and and advanced shaping versity. Manuel
the overall workflow. They
of it, but always keeping in mind the “the main work instrument Bottiglieri, also in- do it of course, through
in a BIM process is the telephone!”. terviewed here, is digital technology, and and
New companies arose in this “interface land”, that are crucial one important ex- advanced shaping of it, but
to understand how the change is in profession, first. And how ample. Almost all always keeping in mind the
much single authorship doesn’t tell all the story about a complex of them took part
design like the one we are called to produce today. I will just to the successfull
“the main work instrument
mention DesignToProduction and Transsolar, as one of the most participation to the in a BIM process is the
significant agencies to me, but they are not the only examples. “Solar Decathlon” telephone!”.
John Frazer said we need the move from Digital Project to Digital international com-

5
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 INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1
petition in the team I’ve lead as Project and BIM Manager for
the digital technology strategy. Our team, leaded by Roma Tre
University was the only Italian one selected for participation
since establihment of the competition aimed at design, engi-
neer and manufacture advanced housing prototypes at Zero
Energy. Our house, called “RhOME” resulted overall winner in
the 2014 edition. A successfull experience of advanced integra-
tion, involving more than 20 advanced companies, all involved
in a 100% fully BIM process, involving: design, engineering,
manufacturing, transportation, assembly and, very important,
management, and disassembly. All of the above with a careful
attention to sustainability (1st award in 2012 for the prototype
“Med in Italy”), meaning all material lifecycle and embodied
energy constantly calculated, and energy efficiency (several
awards) meaning performance checked on-site through sensors
and continuous monitoring.

Rome Congress Center - Screenshot of tagging of unique elements in the interior cladding substructure
(courtesy of Cloud Design / Devoto)

Rome Congress Center - Images of unique steel components of substructure, individually cut and
numbered directly from design BIM/CAM Model
(courtesy of Cloud Design / Devoto)

6
IM00_02.2016.indd 6 02/02/16 16:24

BIM is a matter of culture, I know that you
wrote two books and you collaborate with
some Journals. Can you tell me more about this
activity?
I worked for many years as coordinator of the digital sci-
ence section of a Journal of Architecture, called “Il Giornale
dell’Architettura”. The review was founded around the idea to
study architecture as a full process, not just a design, and I
was very comfortable with such idea. Through that job I had
the chance to follow the growing scene in years 2000, by tak-
ing part to events like Smart Geometry Conferences, and so
on, partly as professional, part as researcher, part as “journal-
ist”. I interviewed and spoke with people like Lars Spuybroek,
Greg Lynn, John Frazer, in parallel to my personal activity of
experimentation. I wrote a monograph about SHoP, as practical
example of a growing new practice and a book on digitalization
of the design to construction stream of information. Through
all these contacts and experiences I could verify the intuition
of how much digital technology is the key to change the rules
of the game, not to “improve processes”. And seeing the human
aspect of this change was of course important in that sense.
Professional boundaries were very often challenged. Even if,
of course, there is still people bounded into Academia of pure
profession, of course. These people somehow lose the most in-
teresting part, but also the most challenging, I have to admit.
In your professional activity you can see what the
AEC market needs now. Can you tell us about the
most interesting BIM trends in the italian market?
I think the next frontier runs over the web, of course. You can
call it BIM Level 3 as UK does, but it’s in BIM Networks. But
their shape is not banal, nor evident. We are now doing a lot
of research about it. Involving also maintenance and manage-
Books: Il progetto digitale per la costruzione. Cronache di un mutamento professionale, Politecnica/Maggioli, 2010
Shop works. Collaborazioni costruttive in digitale, Edilstampa, 2008
Blog: http://stefanoconverso.blogspot.it
IM00_02.2016.indd 7
INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1
ment 3D enviroments. We produced one example of the recent
winning project of Solar Decathlon 2014, called Dwell!, that is
now being updated. We also recently completed a crowdsourced
design for reconversion of two dismantletd residential towers in
Rome, with 35 design teams updating floor designs and sharing
components in an online environment.
Italian market is, as everything here, complex and difficult to
investigate in general. But what I see and experience personally
is that the BIM Scene is growing very fast. And lots of people are
trying to surf the wave, not always in the best way.
Can you tell us more about the use of Generative
Algorithms in the AEC sector?
Generative Algorithms are a dangerous domain. I believe that
customization and advanced use of digital instruments is a pre-
requisite for every true application of BIM. Digital has to be a me-
dium, as Lynn always mentions. So every instrument that allows
for customization of “the last mile” is more than welcome.
Generative algorithms can make a lot of sense, and they did in
several projects. But they need maturity, while very often they
are used by beginners just to play. Having said that, they are
powerful, but I will change the definition in the question to a
wider “rule based design methods in AEC industry”. Rules, sets,
parameters defining a decision are often what is needed when
things are exchanged, an issue increasingly crucial today.
Rome Congress Center - Screenshot of the custom
software toolbar developed within the application
for automatization and generalization of serveral
tasks. In the image, the active tool applies to
generation, tagging and subdivision of unique steel
components of substructure, individually cut and
numbered directly from design BIM/CAM Model.
(courtesy of Cloud Design / Devoto)
7
02/02/16 16:24
 INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1
Prof. Eduardo Cortes

Flexibility and
Interoperability
The key issues in BIM

8
IM00_02.2016.indd 8 02/02/16 16:24

What was your experience before
Bentley and what was the experience
in Bentley?
Before join Bentley, I was using MicroStation for 15
years, mainly as CAD product, and as the base for
utilities network design. I was the project manager
for a 10-people team in Intergraph Spain, in charge
to develop utilities network applications.
Now I am working in Bentley since 2005, focused
on BIM design and Information Management solu-
tions, like AECOsim and ProjectWise. I know the
solutions at all the levels, as I have worked as train-
er, technical support, and presales engineer.
Why AECOsim is used by engineers in
BIM projects?
In my opinion, there are two critical points to work
in BIM projects: flexibility and interoperability, and
AECOsim is a good player on this two topics.
Flexibility is needed to be able to manage huge
projects, and to be able to reference data from
other sources or formats while you are designing.
There must not be reason to force the users to use
the same tool for structural modelling than for
mechanical or architectural modelling, so we must
ask the applications to be able to reference differ-
ent sources data (not import, as we don’t need to
transfer the data for coordination).
IM00_02.2016.indd 9
INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1
Interview to
Eduardo Cortes
Technical Manager Bentley
Interoperability is needed to avoid the replica-
tion of work when the data needs to be trans-
fered between applications, like the structural
modelling and the structural calculation soft-
ware. In this point, AECOsim is supporting all
the standard exchange formats (like IFC, CIS/2,
gbXML) and promoting the use of new ones (like
iModel or ISM).
A good example is the 2014 Bentley award winner
in the category of “Innovation in Structural Engi-
neering”, an astronomical radio telescope built in
China using different Bentley software, like AE-
COsim Building Designer, MicroStation, Bentley
Navigator, ProjectWise and ProSteel.
9
02/02/16 16:24
 INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1
Does it matter the National Codes in
BIM? We know that British Standards
fully describe the requirements for
BIM in the AEC sector: what is your
experience with these Codes?
National Codes are the way to “localize” a global
way of work and collaboration. Local standards,
like the British one, defines not only the best way
to work following each country methodologies,
but also a Classification Code easy to understand
by the people involved on the process.
AECOsim is supporting objects with several clas-
sification codes, allowing the users to use the same
model to produce different outputs for each coun-
try based on the different classification codes.

Who is taking the real benefit of use BIM?
There is a common understanding about the designers are the
main beneficiarys of the use of BIM technology, as they can save
time designing their models or producing the outputs, but this is
not completely true in my opinion.
The whole lifecycle of a construction project includes a timeframe
of 2-4 years spent during the design and construction phases, but
the time the infraestructure will be operated could be more than
50 years, so the real benefit of BIM is taking advantage of the
intelligent models during the Operation & Maintenance phase.
Having an accurate information available during the whole life of
the infrastructure will save a lot of money to the owner.

10
IM00_02.2016.indd 10 02/02/16 16:24

Il B.I.M. si
confronta con lo
Ing. Paolo Segala
CEO, CSPFea s.c.
strutturista Una interazione sempre più richiesta
Sempre più spesso l’ingegnere strutturista, addetto alle analisi
e alla verifica di strutture, sia esse in acciaio, CA, legno, etc.,
viene chiamato a interagire con la filiera del progetto con stru-
menti digitali sempre più evoluti. Se fino a ieri era sufficiente
ricevere dal progettista architettonico o dal Project Manager dei
files in un formato .dxf, oggi è necessario allinearsi a standard
più evoluti.
Molti softwares utilizzati dai progettisti architettonici, ma an-
che da coloro addetti all’impostazione strutturale del fabbricato,
utilizzano strumenti software che non solo descrivono entità
geometriche (punti e linee che rappresentano travi, colonne, pa-
reti, etc., spesso rappresentati solo in 2D con piante e sezioni)
ma anche oggetti (oggetto trave, colonna, sempre rappresentati
nella loro posizione corretta nello spazio tridimensionale) ed in-
formazioni (codice del profilo standard usato, tipo di materiale
da costruzione, etc.). Si passa dal poter leggere un CAD a dover
interpretare un BIM. L’aspettativa del Project Manager è quella
che anche lo strutturista sia in grado di leggere le informazioni
contenute del Building Information Model, e possa rispondere
IM00_02.2016.indd 11
INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1
NG
OK
Need Chechk
sullo stesso Modello con le sue correzioni, modifiche, integra-
zioni, in un cosiddetto “round trip”.
Tuttavia non sempre questo è possibile con gli strumenti di cal-
colo poiché gli schemi strutturali che l’analista ricava dai Mo-
delli proposti dal Project Manager possono discostarsi di molto
dal Modello BIM. Per ottenere un modello computazionale af-
fidabile infatti, l’analista opera delle semplificazioni e schema-
tizzazioni che portano a perdere la coincidenza topologica col
Modello Informativo ricevuto.
Per comprendere questo problema, ed intravvederne soluzioni
efficaci, vogliamo spiegare in sintesi i “passi” condotti dall’ana-
lista strutturale nell’elaborazione dei propri modelli, una meto-
dologia che tutti gli strutturisti seguono ma forse senza sapere
che le norme internazionali ne hanno efficacemente descritto
le procedure denominate Verifica & Validazione (V&V). Prove-
remo quindi a “mappare” le procedure con quanto si sta diffon-
dendo nel settore BIM, dove spesso l’interazione tra architetto
e ingegnere è stata tracciata dal primo, a volte senza una reale
consapevolezza di ciò che serve allo strutturista.
11
02/02/16 16:24
 INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1
V&V: riferimenti normativi internazionali
NAFEMS, una istituzione in questo campo, ha pubblicato le
sue prime Linee Guida nel 19921, le Procedure di Qualità nel
1999 standardizzando anche i primi “Benchmarks” (casi prova).
Nel 2007 si è concluso un lungo lavoro del Comitato V&V10
di ASME2, iniziato con la tragedia dello Shuttle Columbia su
incarico della NASA3, creando la propria Guida alla Verifica e
Validazione nella meccanica computazionale. Il V&V10 di ASME
ha offerto un metodo per affrontare il problema, consapevole
che, prima ancora di Linee Guida che guidassero passo-passo gli
ingegneri analisti, era necessario fissare i termini della questione
definendo cos’è un processo di Modellazione e Simulazione e
cosa si intende per Verifica e Validazione di un calcolo.
Modellazione e Analisi alla base della Simulazione
V&V10 definisce come Modellazione ed Analisi (M&A) le
operazioni dell’ingegnere “analista” che si appresta ad eseguire
un calcolo strutturale. Il documento chiede all’analista
di riflettere, descrivere e giustificare le attività di M&A
scomponendole in: elaborazione del Modello Concettuale,
scelta e utilizzo del Modello Matematico, utilizzo dell’Algoritmo
Numerico attraverso un Codice di Calcolo, scelta dei parametri
fisici da inserire nel Codice di Calcolo, scelta di parametri di
discretizzazione del modello. Queste attività conducono ad
ottenere un Modello Computazionale.
L’obiettivo mediante operazioni di Modellazione ed Analisi
(M&A) è quello di ottenere un modello di calcolo accurato,
relativamente a quanto il Modello Computazionale rappresenti
la realtà, ed affidabile, relativamente alla possibilità che i
risultati del Modello Computazionale possano essere utilizzati
per intraprendere decisioni progettuali.
Si riporta in figura 1 il tipico Flow Chart concettuale del M&S e
in Tabella 1 un esempio.
Conceptual
Model
Mathematical
Model
Numerical
Algorithm
Code
Physical
Discretization
Parameters Parameters
Computational
model
Fig. 1: Modeling & Simulation (ASME V&V10)
12
IM00_02.2016.indd 12
Il processo di modellazione della realtà può essere suddiviso
in passi ciascuno dei quali è oggetto di analisi, scelte ed
eventualmente revisioni da parte dell’Analista mediante il
cosiddetto “giudizio ingegneristico”.
• La realtà fisica complessa (Modello Fisico, l’oggetto reale
dell’analisi, costituito ad esempio da da un edificio esistente
o da una struttura in progetto di nuova realizzazione)
viene astratta in un Modello Concettuale semplificato. Il
principale obiettivo è di determinare i processi cruciali e di
riformulare la realtà in un modello concettuale, applicando
valide semplificazioni tali per cui i fenomeni principali, come
osservati nella realtà, vengono mantenuti nel modello.
• Il Modello Concettuale viene tradotto in un Modello
Matematico, ovvero nella formulazione matematica dei
processi identificati nel Modello Concettuale. Ad esempio un
insieme di equazioni differenziali che descrivono l’equilibrio
del continuo.
• Il Modello Matematico viene traslato in uno schema numerico,
mediante Algoritmi Numerici, laddove come spesso accade non
è disponibile una soluzione diretta analitica delle equazioni.
Ciò richiede spesso una discretizzazione del problema
nello spazio e nel tempo, come ad esempio nel Metodo agli
Elementi Finiti, il quale implica che le originarie equazioni
matematiche vengono applicate in una forma approssimata.
L’implementazione in un pacchetto software viene effettuata
mediante un linguaggio di programmazione da Sviluppatori,
i quali utilizzano ulteriori artifici generalmente necessari per
rendere il software robusto per le applicazioni della pratica
progettuale, ad esempio nel caso di trattamento numerico di
elementi strutturali infinitamente rigidi, o nella gestione dei
casi di labilità di parte della struttura, o nella gestione dei
criteri di convergenza dei metodi iterativi di soluzione.
• Mediante la scelta dei parametri fisici da inserire nel software,
la scelta di parametri di discretizzazione del modello, ed altre
operazioni, l’Analista, utilizzatore del software, ottiene il
Modello Computazionale i cui risultati sono alla base delle
decisioni progettuali successive. Spesso nelle Norme e delle
Linee Guida il Modello Computazionale è chiamato Modello
di Calcolo: la definizione di ASME è preferibile perché
richiama il fatto che il Modello Computazionale è frutto di
precedenti passaggi logici.
E il BIM?
L’avvento delle tecnologie che permettono la realizzazione di un
progetto digitale, ovvero un Modello Informativo del Progetto,
altresì detto Building Information Model (BIM), stanno creando
ulteriori definizioni di Modello e purtroppo anche alcune
ambiguità. Bisogna considerare che il BIM è stato sviluppato
soprattutto per la parte architettonica risultando inevitabilmente
superficiale sulla parte del BIM relativa al lavoro dello strutturista.
Invece tale parte dovrà recuperare rapidamente un suo ruolo
specifico nelle procedure di interazione con gli altri tecnici
1) NAFEMS (National Agency for the Finite Element Methods and Standards):
NAFEMS Quality Assurance Procedures for Engineering Analysis.
Glasgow, 1999. (Disponibile su richiesta a NAFEMS)
2) ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) V&V10, Comitee. Guide
for Verification and Validation in Computational Solid Mechanics. 2007
3) NASA Technical Standard, STD 7009. Standard for models and simulations.
2008
02/02/16 16:24
 INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1
coinvolti nella progettazione BIM, al punto che si parlerà ora di
Structural-BIM (S-BIM) con proprie specifiche esigenze.
Gli strumenti usati nelle procedure BIM al fine di gestire un
Modello Informativo del Progetto dovranno pertanto definire:

Modello BIM Fisico Architettonico: è quello descritto

mediante software CAD orientati agli oggetti dell’ultima
generazione (impropriamente chiamati software BIM). Nel
mondo BIM si trova spesso il termine Modello Fisico, ma tale
definizione si sovrappone a quella degli strutturisti, come scritto
più sopra.

Modello BIM Fisico Strutturale: è un sottoinsieme del

precedente, e contiene solo gli elementi strutturali e tutti gli
elementi di interesse per le analisi dello strutturista (si pensi
alle tamponature dei capannoni, a tamponature in muratura dei
telai in CA, ad impianti, ad elementi architettonici secondari ma
richiedenti verifiche statiche). Spesso tale Modello trova spazio
nei software BIM o in loro versioni un po’ più specializzate (al
nome del software viene aggiunto “structure” o “structural”). Già
il Modello Fisico Strutturale è materia dello strutturista, sebbene
nei processi BIM ciò non risulti così ovvio e spesso lo strutturista
si trovi a ottenere tale Modello già definito in precedenza da un
Progettista Architettonico.
Modello BIM Concettuale: diventa materia specifica del-
lo strutturista che, grazie all’engineering judgement stabilisce
gli elementi che servono a descrivere correttamente il compor-
tamento strutturale. I software BIM forniscono un “Modello
analitico”, inteso come le informazioni sufficienti a descrivere
concetti di structural behaviour (come gli assi e gli offset di tra-
vi e colonne, cerniere o nodi continui, etc.) di utilità per il sof-
tware di calcolo. Il termine Modello Analitico è maldestramen-
te ripreso dai concetti di M&A citati in precedenza, ma è chiaro
che non si tratta della stessa cosa. In realtà il Modello Con-
cettuale può comportare scelte dell’analista che
portano a una diversità topologica col
Modello Fisico che possono com-
portare la perdita della traccia-
bilità “round trip” con il Modello
Fisico Strutturale (si pensi ad un
modello concettuale nel quale si
intende modificare le caratteristi-
che geometriche volendole
semplificare per migliorare
l’interpretazione dei risulta-
ti di calcolo o volendole ren-
dere atte a meglio simulare
un comportamento struttu-
rale: diaframmi di piano,
setti schematizzati in travi
equivalenti, fondazioni a
platea schematizzate a gra-
ticcio equivalente, aperture
di dimensione trascurabi-
le, collegamenti tra
strutture definiti
solo come link tra
nodi con particola-
ri proprietà mecca-
niche, etc.).
Modello BIM Computazionale: è quello che l’analista
definisce e costruisce mediante il proprio software di analisi sulla base
del Modello Concettuale, Matematico e relativi Algoritmi, e che spesso
viene utilizzato in post processing per i dimensionamenti, le verifiche
e la dettagliatura dei disegni strutturali generalmente forniti in 2D.
In sostanza questi modelli e i software che permettono di descriverli
e definirli devono essere quasi sempre governati dallo strutturista
e vanno a costituire quella specializzazione chiamata S-BIM.
Si può fare meglio?
Sicuramente c’è molto da fare, poiché l’interazione BIM tra
progettista architettonico e strutturale è lungi dall’essere risolto
dai cosiddetti software BIM così come nel workflow di altri ambiti
applicativi come nel plant engineering.
CSPFea, in collaborazione con MIDAS IT, sta lavorando alla
soluzione di tale problema. È chiaro che lo strutturista deve avere
a disposizione uno strumento che gli permetta di:
• “aprire” un Modello Informativo BIM e leggerne le parti di
interesse;
• “mappare” il proprio Modello Concettuale sul Modello BIM senza
perdere le informazioni del Modello BIM che non interessano
(elementi non strutturali, architettonici, MEP);
• semplificare e schematizzare in piena libertà il proprio Modello
Concettuale per ottenerne un Modello Computazionale corretto
ed adeguato alle analisi da svolgere poter eseguire in libertà un
“round trip” verso il Modello BIM ricevuto, ancora una volta senza
perdere il collegamento topologico con il Modello BIM importato.
Se siete interessati ad approfondire questo tema e siete alla ricerca
di un processo efficiente per essere pronti a rispondere alle call di
progetti BIM sentitevi liberi di contattarmi. Sarò lieto di illustrarvi
come le nostre novità in preparazione sono in grado di riportare il
lavoro dello strutturista in una posizione da protagonista.
segala@cspfea.net
Le immagini dell’articolo sono relative al nuovo MIDAS Plant

13
IM00_02.2016.indd 13 02/02/16 16:24
 INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1
2012 Finalist
Project Summary
Organization
Parsons Brinckerhoff
Solution
Rail and Transit
Location
Glenfield, Australia
Project Objectives
• The South West Rail Link aims
to improve the reliability and
increase capacity of the rail
network in south west Sydney.
• Phase 1 upgraded the Glenfield
Station and bus/rail interchange,
and added rail flyovers to the
north and south.
• The Glenfield Junction Alliance is
developing all rail works within a
live rail corridor while maintaining
passenger and freight operations.
Products Used
• ProjectWise, MicroStation, Bentley
Rail Track, InRoads Suite, Bentley
Architecture, Structural Modeler
Fast Facts
• Parsons Brinckerhoff provided
design services for all elements of
the civil works and rail systems.
• Bentley software enabled
engineers to implement design
best practices for steep grades,
limited space, construction costs,
and constructability.
• 3D models of track, piling, walls,
structures, and under-track cross-
ings were combined to form 4D
construction simulations.
ROI
• 3D information modeling enabled
the Alliance to save AUD 1 million
in design and construction costs.
• Standardized preferences and
automated routines in Bentley Rail
Track accelerated drawing
production, generating a total
savings over 150 drawings, of
1,500 man-hours.
• Bentley products contributed to an
acceleration of construction time
of up to one year.
14
IM00_02.2016.indd 14
CASE STUDY
Information Mobility Helps Deliver
Bentley InRoadsProject
® ®
Award-winning
Powerful
Integratedtools for the design
3D Modeling UsingofBentley
civil infrastructure
Software Enables Design and
Construction of Phase 1 of Sydney’s Rail Expansion Program
Upgrading Rail Transport in New South Wales GJA’s scope of work was to design all elements of the civil
works and rail systems, and to construct all civil works except
The South West Rail Link (SWRL) is a New South Wales
for those within the three-meter “danger zone” around the
(NSW) Government initiative designed to address reliability
issues and a projected increase in ridership on the live railway. Track and rail system construction within the
danger zone were the responsibility of Novo Rail (an alliance
metropolitan rail network in Sydney, Australia. The AUD 2.1
of Transport for NSW in partnership with Aurecon, Laing
billion project includes a major upgrade of Glenfield Station
and bus/rail interchange (Phase 1), and a new 11.4 kilometer O’Rourke, and ODG Haden).
twin-track passenger rail line from Glenfield to Leppington Phase 1 works not only upgraded the existing bus and
(Phase 2). rail interchange at Glenfield Station but also constructed
rail flyovers to the north and south of the station. The
Parsons Brinckerhoff, a global infrastructure strategic
consulting, engineering, and program/construction improvements provided essential infrastructure and added
capacity for a population center projected to grow by 300,000
management organization, designed the majority of Phase 1
over the next 30 years. The Alliance designed the rail
works as a member of the Glenfield Junction Alliance (GJA).
Three-dimensional modeling using Bentley Rail Track, Bentley systems (permanent way, signaling, communications, and
Structural (now Structural Modeler), and other Bentley overhead wiring), station structure and flyover structures,
products enabled the Alliance to save nearly AUD 1 million road realignment and associated works, high voltage systems,
in design and construction costs as well as accelerate and earthworks and retaining walls. GJA was also involved
project delivery. in environmental and sustainability management, community
and stakeholder relations, and systems assurance.
Opened in September 2012, four months ahead of schedule,
the refurbished Glenfield Station includes a new aerial The major challenge for the Alliance was constructing the
SWRL infrastructure within a congested live rail corridor while
concourse, lifts, ticket office, bus interchange, and parking
lot; and upgraded platforms and canopies. The transport maintaining passenger and freight operations. GJA built as
interchange has already improved accessibility, reliability, and much of the infrastructure as possible outside the danger
zone and within track possessions where required. Staging
capacity for commuters in the area. On track for completion
in 2015, the SWRL will provide essential infrastructure for
Sydney’s 18-precinct South West Growth Centre – with
modern, safe, and accessible stations and interchange
facilities for all rail commuters.
Building in a Congested Live Rail Corridor
Growing rail capacity to meet demand is the responsibility
of the integrated transport authority known as Transport for
NSW, a NSW government agency reporting directly to the
minister of infrastructure and transport. Transport for NSW is
also working closely with rail operator Sydney Trains to bring
the SWRL project into operation. Transport for NSW formed
All civil cconstruction
A onstruction w
wo
works,
orks eexcept
xcept tth
those
ose wit
within
ithiin thee tthree-
hree
the GJA that consisted of Parsons Brinckerhoff Australia, meter “danger zone”, were undertaken in a congested live
John Holland, and Bouygues Travaux Publics. rail corridor.
02/02/16 16:24

“One of the biggest
value adds of
Bentley software was
the ability to integrate
3D models for each
discipline. This type
of information model-
ing allowed the differ-
ent disciplines within
the project team to
effectively commu-
nicate design details
and updates during
design and construc-
tion phases.”
– Mike Jenkins, Alliance
Leadership Team, Glenfield
Junction Alliance
IM00_02.2016.indd 15
INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1
construction to ensure safe rail operations was a multidiscipline
effort among Alliance members, representing more than 1,000
professionals.
Information Modeling Enables Design
Improvements and Aids Constructability
During the project definition phase and as part of the optioneer-
ing and value engineering process, the project team scrutinized
various solutions for the flyovers and station structures. Multiple
iterations of the track alignment and structure were produced be-
fore the optimal design was chosen. A major benefit of using the
Bentley suite of products was the ability to easily integrate 3D
models. Stuart Allabush, Parsons Brinckerhoff senior track design
engineer, noted: “During the design development of the southern
flyover, the structural engineer identified a number of design
improvements that were modeled in 3D using Bentley software.
Information modeling in this way resulted in amendments that
saved up to AUD 1 million in design and construction costs.”
Information mobility and the integration of 3D models also ben-
efited cross-discipline relationships involved in the construction of
the flyover structures. The project team combined 3D models of
track, piling, walls, structures, and under-track crossings to form
4D construction sequence simulations, allowing team members
from different disciplines to detect and avoid clashes, as well as
confirm constructability of different elements of the design in the
congested rail corridor.
Interactive 3D PDFs used to communicate design updates to
the project team and the client were well received. Allabush
explained: “The 3D PDFs were used to show the client how the
project would fit in the corridor, how it would be built, and what it
would look like during each phase of construction.”
In other areas, 3D models shared among structures, track, and
earthworks team members enabled the interfaces between
structures to be optimized. Bentley Rail Track was used exten-
sively to design trackwork and embankments in the vicinity of
the north and south flyovers. The 3D rail design and maintenance
software was also used to evaluate staging options, detect
clashes between designs, ensure clearances, and identify
construction methods.
Four track staging designs were developed using Bentley Rail
Track in order to implement temporary designs before the final
Con tructition off the
Construction
Const tthhe Northern
North
thern
rn Flyover
Flyover approachh ramp att
Fl
Glenfield Interchange.
alignments were achieved. Upon completion of the detailed
design phase, approximately 4,000 drawings were produced for
160 design packages.
Using Bentley Rail Track and Automation
Routines Saves Time and Ensures Accuracy
For the track design, Parsons Brinckerhoff configured Bentley Rail
Track’s preference files to ensure both consistency of output, and
compliance with track standards, for all track drawings. “The
operator, Sydney Trains, has very prescriptive ways of showing
their designs, so we adapted Bentley software to produce the
details in the required format,” explained Allabush.
“All kilometrages and coordinate information adjacent to the line
were produced from the standardized preference file in Bentley
Rail Track, ensuring the information was in the correct position,
using the right font and size, as required,” added Allabush.
Parsons Brinckerhoff also wrote custom VBA (Visual Basic for
Applications) routines that extracted data directly from 3D design
in Bentley Rail Track, and then placed information such as the
details of each individual curve element, turnouts, and align-
ments, onto the drawings. “We tried to remove the risk of human
error in this process as much as possible, by reading directly from
the model. If the model is approved as correct, then it follows
that any details on the drawing derived from it will be too,” noted
Allabush. “The routines we developed really came into their own
when we made an alignment change. It’s relatively easy to get a
drawing right the first time, but when you change it, that’s when
mistakes can creep in. With the use of these tools, the effect of
design changes rippled through to the drawings and the risk of
errors mitigated as a result.”
The combination of automation routines and Bentley Rail Track’s
standardized preference file allowed Parsons Brinckerhoff to save
approximately 10 hours of design and CAD amendment time
per drawing, generating a total saving across the 150 drawings
required of 1,500 man-hours.
On a large-scale project like SWRL, such efficiencies can shave
weeks off the schedule. Phase 1 was completed four months
ahead of schedule, and Phase 2 is also progressing faster than
anticipated. “The current construction program is proposed to be
accelerated by up to a year,” said Allabush. “This is in part due to
the quality and flexibility of Bentley products used on the project.”
A vi
vvisualization
isualizati
li tion off th
tthe
he G
Gl
Glenfield
lenfifielld TTransport
ransp
s ort
rt Interchange
Interch
t hange
Station elevation.
15
02/02/16 16:24
 INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1

United Arab Emirates

Pavillion (UAE), Milano
EXPO 2015, Rimond.

Arch. Manuel André Bottiglieri

Un’esperienza
sul BIM che conta
L’importanza del BIM nello sviluppo degli impianti MEP

16
IM00_02.2016.indd 16 02/02/16 16:24

Intervista con
Arch. Manuel André Bottiglieri
Università di Roma Tre
Manuel, puoi raccontarci della tua esperienza nel mondo BIM come giovane architetto?
La mia prima esperienza nasce in ambito universitario, per due
anni ho fatto parte di un team di ricerca composto da circa 50
persone tra studenti e docenti dell’Università di Roma3. Siamo
stati il primo team Italiano vincitore della competizione inter-
nazionale Solar Decathlon Europe 2015, una sorta di Olimpiadi
dell’Architettura “Green”.
Il progetto si chiama RhOME for denCity (http://www.rhome-
fordencity.it/SDE/ ) ed ha avuto come obiettivo la progettazione,
ingegnerizzazione e messa in cantiere di un prototipo di abitazione
con l’integrazione dei più alti standard di innovazione, efficenza
energetica, confort, design e sostenibilità.
Il BIM è stato sicuramente la scelta vincente che ci ha permesso di
gestire, organizzare e monitorare tutte le fasi del progetto garan-
tendoci la possibilità di tenere sotto controllo tanto la tecnologia
costruttiva quanto il coordinamento interdisciplinare e il flusso di
informazioni.
IM00_02.2016.indd 17
INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1
Stefano Converso è stato, e tuttora continua ad essere, il nostro
BIM Mentor, responsabile di averci trasmesso questa sua filosofia,
il nostro target è diventato “progettare le informazioni” marcando
i vari aspetti legati tanto alla ricerca quanto al data management,
temi propri del Building Information Modeling ( “BIM is not the
software, software is just a tool”).
In questi 2 anni abbiamo ampliato la nostra attenzione us-
cendo dalla sola disciplina architettonica e abbiamo cercato
di abbracciare il BIM in tutti i suoi aspetti, in modo partico-
lare riguardo la gestione impiantistica, e il coordinamento del
flusso lavorativo.
Di seguito 2 progetti dove abbiamo collaborato alla modellazione
BIM dei sistemi impiantistici e successiva gestione delle Clash De-
tections tra modelli architettonici, strutturali e MEP:
- Museo Nazionale dell’Ebraismo Italiano (MEIS), Ferrara, SCAPE,
blocco D.
17
02/02/16 16:24
 INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1

Museo Nazionale dell’Ebraismo

Italiano (MEIS), Ferrara, SCAPE,
blocco D.

18
IM00_02.2016.indd 18 02/02/16 16:24
 INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1

Puoi parlarci del tuo lavoro nel settore Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing? Come il BIM ha aiutato i
progettisti MEP? Il tuo sviluppo di oggetti BIM intelligenti ha migliorato e aiutato il flusso di lavoro
ai progettisti?
La mia esperienza nel MEP comincia con i progetti MEIS e nell’ottica di un sistema di condivisione “cloud” (qui potremmo
UAE, in questi casi il modello BIM era finalizzato a strumento parlarne all’infinito).
di verifica e check delle interferenze tra le diverse componenti Su questo aspetto di customizzazione vorrei porre l’attenzione su
architettoniche, impiantistiche e strutturali dello stesso progetto. un recente lavoro svolto per conto della “P3 srl”, azienda produttrice
Questa esperienza seppur “limitata” è servita sicuramente ad di pannelli per la costruzione di sistemi aeraulici. L’obiettivo era
accendere nuove domande e profondo interesse nelle diverse sviluppare una libreria di oggetti BIM per rispecchiare una serie
problematiche riscontrate. di metadati forniti dall’azienda, ma allo stesso tempo per creare
C’è da fare la premessa, ad oggi parlando di BIM non ci si può modelli in grado di rispondere alle esigenze di progettazione,
riferire ad uno standard nel workflow lavorativo, siamo ancora calcolo e modellazione proprie di un progettista degli impianti.
lontani dal raggiungere l’ottimizzazione necessaria dei modelli Di seguito una serie di immagini ad evidenziare i vari step di un
lavorativi interdisciplinari. componente tipo di questo genere di customizzazione:
Oggigiorno gli specialisti hanno bisogno di “collaborare”
attraverso uno scambio costante di informazioni, l’aspetto • modellazione adattiva su specifiche del prodotto;
negativo è che ci si imbatte molto spesso nella solita “barriera
comunicativa” generata da elaborati provenienti quasi sempre da
piattaforme differenti.
L’obiettivo che ci si pone è quello di migliorare questo flusso
di informazioni. La modellazione BIM si basa su “oggetti”
che contengono le “informazioni”. Il lavoro di sviluppo e
customizzazione “intelligente” di questi componenti non può che
portare ad un upgrade dell’intero processo.
I benefici vanno dalla semplice rappresentazione realistica
del tridimensionale, all’estrazione dinamica e controllata del
dato aggiornato (scheduling), all’implementazione di tutte
le possibili connessioni logiche, analitiche e infrastrutturali

19
IM00_02.2016.indd 19 02/02/16 16:24
 INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1
• impiego del BIM
object su diverse
piattaforme per
il controllo del
progetto;

• visualizzazione
aggiornata dei dati;

• esportazione dei
dati su formati
esterni (es: Excel
per condivisione e
revisione);

• customizzazione
e filtraggio delle
informazioni
presenti nel
documento
esportato
per l’invio su
strumenti esterni
(es: macchine per
il taglio a controllo
numerico).

20
IM00_02.2016.indd 20 02/02/16 16:24
 Scegli la soluzione
Bentley che fa per te
AECOsim Building Designer
Software BIM per l’edilizia che
modella le informazioni
per un team di costruzione
multidisciplinare nel campo
dell’edilizia e delle costruzioni

Per approfondire ...

Bentley ProConcrete
Software BIM CAD 3D per la
modellazione, i dettagli e la
pianificazione di strutture in
cemento armato prefabbricate o
fabbricate in situ e precompresse

Per approfondire ...

Bentley ProSteel
Software BIM CAD di modellazione
3D di strutture in acciaio e in
metallo, che supporta le operazioni
di costruzione e progettazione

Per approfondire ...

Contatta il nostro Esperto!

Ing. Mirco Sanguin
CSPFea s.c. - Via Zuccherificio, 5D
35042 Este (PD) Italy sanguin@cspfea.net
www.cspfea.net +39 0429 602404

IM00_02.2016.indd 21 02/02/16 16:24

 INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1

The BIM opens

opportunities
overseas
How Mantoan Progettazioni became a world leader in BIM

22
IM00_02.2016.indd 22 02/02/16 16:24
 INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1

Interview to
Massimo Mantoan
Mantoan Progettazioni

Could you describe to me your Company?

Mantoan Progettazioni was founded in June 2006 by Massimo
Mantoan and Marco Mantoan in order to provide leading BIM
services. Mantoan Progettazioni is renowned for his aggressive
approach to the most complex projects. BIM process is core of
all activities. We are proficient in parametric modeling, design
optimization, fabrication systems and steel detailing. Our ex-
perience as architects, engineers and project managers helps
the AEC industry to implement the management of the project
since its conception to its construction. Our delivery method
allows interoperability among different disciplines and stake-
holders involved in the design and construction process. Our
“programmable 3d model” enables to add parameters, informa-
tion and data in relationship with clients requests and targets.
Mantoan Progettazioni’s clients embrace developers, govern-
ment authorities, real estate brands, fabricators, contractors,
designers, engineers.

You come from an architectural background but you now offer very sophisticated BIM services. How
you have developed these skills?

Massimo is a chartered architect with strong experience in archi-

tectural practice operating as a specialist consultant in the field
of bridge and infrastructure design. A former architect at Wilkin-
son Eyre Architects where he worked exclusively on transporta-
tion and infrastructure projects and complex shapes. Massimo
has a proven track record of managing the architectural design of
major engineering projects by using 3D modeling and software
interoperability. He has consistently designed and delivered
award-winning bridges, viaducts and specialist buildings.
During his work experience at Massimiliano Fuksas, he was in
charge of Is Molas Golf Resort. The project consists in private
residential area and five stars hotels. The complexity of the
project is related to the free form design of the whole buildings
based on double curvature surfaces.
Massimo developed his BIM expertise since the beginning of
his career by merging together design aspects, structural be-
haviour, advanded 3D modeling platforms and project manage-
ment approach. His expertise on BIM come from his attitude
to manage complex projects by implementation of innovative
3D delivery process and above all to develop the integration of
different software platforms for populating 3D model with data
and information.

23
IM00_02.2016.indd 23 02/02/16 16:24
 INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1
Can you tell us which kind of services are requested to your Company by allover the world?
Mantoan Progettazioni can offer solutions to accelerate produc-
tivity while saving time, implementation strategies to manage
AEC process and project delivery procedure to maximize long-
term benefit to avoid drawings errors and constructability prob-
lems. We allow integration and collaboration of all information
from conception to construction to establish a custom delivery
system to match the expectation of each player involved in the
project. By using BIM platform we deliver data and drawings
for fabrication, construction end erection. Our procedures al-
lows to investigate different options about complex surface and
24
IM00_02.2016.indd 24
choose the best solution according to the constraints imposed
by architects, engineers and fabricators. Integration of math-
ematical techniques and fabrication procedures is fundamental
to produce surface panelization, material waste reduction and
automated data generation for production.
We assume the implementation of the information flow through
3D modeling enables a better management of costs and time
and improve the way of working of architects, engineers and
builders.
02/02/16 16:24

CSPFea inaugura
i Talks on BIM
A Maggio 2015 CSPFea ha inaugurato un nuovo modo di dialoga-
re sul BIM con i professionisti del settore delle Costruzioni. L’o-
biettivo è di fornire ai migliori professionisti del settore, Project
manager, Real Estate Managers, Imprese di costruzione, il know
how necessario focalizzato sulle problematiche di applicazione
del Building Information Modeling nei vari settori della filiera.
Il format prevede l’invito di un panel di BIM experts ai quali è
chiesto di raccontare le prioprie esperienze.
Nella cornice del Museo Nazionale Atestino, a Este, sede di
CSPFea, il 7 Maggio 2015 si è quindi svolto il BIM Day, aperto
da Paolo Segala (BIM e normative: cosa c’è da sapere?), al quale
è seguito Stefano Converso (Il BIM nelle costruzioni e nelle in-
frastrutture: perché utilizzarlo?). Successivamente si è svolta una
Tavola Rotonda dove il pubblico, selezionato tra 30 key player del
mondo delle Costruzioni italiano, ha interagito a lungo con i BIM
Expert con domande e risposte.
IM00_02.2016.indd 25
INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1
È quindi seguita una sessione più tecnica dedicata alle soluzioni
software di Bentley, Azienda leader mondiale nel BIM. Michał
Lipiński – Application Engineer Bentley System – ha descritto i
vantaggi di adottare un modello parametrico 3D per la messa in
tavola di strutture in CA, mentre Michele Mazzucato ha descritto
le potenzialità del modellatore parametrico 3D per la messa in ta-
vola di strutture in acciaio. Entrambi i prodotti sono riuniti nella
suite ProStructure di Bentley.
Una preview degli argomenti trattati è disponibile al link
www.cspfea.net/eventi/cspfea_bim_day_7maggio_2015.pdf
Gli Atti completi del convegno sono disponibili su richiesta a
Ing. Mirco Sanguin, Manager Bentley Products in CSPFea
(tel. 0429/602404, sanguin@cspfea.net).
25
02/02/16 16:24
 INFORMATION MODELiNG - 1
Project Summary
Organization:
Network Rail
Solution:
Rail
Location:
United Kingdom
Project Objective:
• Design overhead line equipment
for 1,000 kilometers of single-track
railway in western United Kingdom
• Create a 3D model of the entire
project by combining survey data
and design models
• Use the model to provide context
to assess designs provided by engi-
neering contractors, support signal
sighting and driver training, create
4D simulations for construction for
vegetation management, and lastly
as a live asset management model
Products used:
Bentley Descartes
Bentley Navigator
Bentley Rail Track
Bentley i-model Composition Server
MicroStation
ProjectWise
Fast Facts
• Network Rail used Bentley Descartes
to create a hybrid 3D model of the
entire project by combining survey
and engineering data.
• Survey data includes 950 route-
wide point clouds (+/-50 millimeter
accuracy, 60 points per meter
density), and close to 30,000
images (5 centimeter resolution).
Images stored in ECW format
and managed with ProjectWise.
ROI
• A scalable terrain model 250
miles in extent was created in one
week, as opposed to 25 miles of
traditional digital terrain model
that would usually be created in
the same time. Bentley Descartes
allowed the scalable terrain model
to be created 10 times faster.
• Tunnel modeling was improved
by a factor of three with a tunnel
1 mile and 152 yards long being
modeled in one to two days with
Bentley Descartes against one
week with a standard CAD tool.
26
IM00_02.2016.indd 26
Point Clouds and Scalable Terrain Models Support Network
Rail’s Great Western Rail Electrification Programme
Bentley Descartes Enables Project Teams to Comply with BS 1192, and Provides
Cost-saving Tools to Leverage Point-cloud Data in Engineering Projects
Scalable 3D Model Allows Collaborative Designs
and Live Asset Management
The Great Western Electrification Programme represents an
investment of GBP 1.5 billion that will allow faster, quieter
travel, with increased seating capacity, and improved
reliability on one of the United Kingdom’s oldest and busiest
railways. This program will enhance the railway line between
London and Oxford, Newbury, Bristol and Cardiff.
With a project of such scope, owner-operator Network Rail
needed a way to incorporate enormous amounts of survey
data with design models from multiple consultants, to aid
efficient project collaboration and streamline interactions
between designers and contractors. In addition, to encourage
efficient data collaboration and increase productivity,
Network Rail followed the BS 1192 code of practice for
the collaborative production of architectural, engineering
and construction information. Network Rail used Bentley
Descartes to merge point clouds, scalable digital terrain
models, and raster files with the consultants’ design models
to create a scalable 3D model. Using Bentley Descartes
provided Network Rail with a complete view of the entire
project, enabled efficient design review and effective team
collaboration, and allowed the organization to meet
BIM criteria included in BS 1192. When construction is
complete, Network Rail will then be able to use the 3D model
to support its asset management program.
Bentley Descartes Combines Scalable
Terrain Models, Point Clouds, and CAD files
Among this project’s many requirements is the need
to assess, retrofit, or construct significant amounts of
infrastructure, including 1,000 kilometers of single-track,
12,000 steel piles and 4,000 reinforced concrete foundations,
and 164 structures that require gauge clearance analysis
– including bridge interventions, lowering of track, canopy
cuts, and more. Managing such a project requires efficient
collaboration between Network Rail and the organization’s
many business partners and subcontractors. Using Bentley
Descartes, Network Rail has established a scalable 3D
model as the geo-coordination platform to aggregate the
CASE STUDY
as-constructed and design information, including scalable
terrain models, orthoimages, Bentley i-models (containers for
open infrastructure information exchange), and DGN files. The
model is used to streamline the interaction between design
consultants and contractors by enabling the coordination in
a 3D environment of all the designs from design consultants.
This scalable 3D model also supports design review
by providing efficient 3D visualization of the designs,
including all engineering intelligence. The individual
design models created in industry-specific design
applications, including Bentley Rail Track, are available
when reviewing and navigating the entire 3D model in
Bentley Descartes.
By combining a large terrain model draped with thousands
of orthoimages, point clouds acquired by helicopter, and
designs provided in the DGN format and i-models – which
Bentley Descartes supports natively – the scalable 3D model
provides a unique environment to enable collaborative review,
condition assessment, and construction simulation together
with 4D animations.
But the value of the 3D model goes beyond the design and
construction phases, to support Network Rail’s longer-term
asset management program by providing a live 3D map that
indexes and references asset documentation. As a long-time
user of Bentley software, Network Rail uses ProjectWise
as its engineering information management platform to
enable team collaboration and data exchange in a secure
environment among all partners and stakeholders.
John Nolan, CAD manager at Network Rail explained:
“We have been early adopters of Bentley Descartes V8i
(SELECTseries 4) and this new release provided us with
exactly what we needed. The software’s ability to create
scalable terrain models now allows us to create and
manage terrain models with hundreds of millions of points.
With its fast scalable terrain model manipulation and very
powerful modeling tools, Bentley Descartes allows us to
integrate point clouds and engineering data into intelligent
hybrid models.”
02/02/16 16:24
 INFORMATION MODELiNG -1

“We have been Hybrid Models Used to Assess New Designs Extending ROI
Some of the challenges of this project included the lack In addition to streamlining the process among suppliers,
early adopters of of up-to-date information on existing assets and potential and supporting BS 1192, the creation of an information
inaccuracies in existing documentation. To provide surveys of rich scalable 3D model including terrain data, point clouds,
Bentley Descartes
the existing track conditions, data acquisition was outsourced, orthoimages, and i-models, provides numerous opportunities
V8i (SELECTseries 4) with aerial LiDAR used for open areas and laser scanning to extend the project’s return on investment from the
technology for tunnels. High resolution orthoimages were also project. The integrated model allows the creation of 4D
and this new release acquired. The point clouds were colorized and classified initially schedule simulations showing each construction phase,
as ground and non-ground classes. supports project review, enables clash detection, and also
provided us with exactly
Bentley Descartes was used to create a scalable terrain allows driver training and signal sighting. In addition, the
what we were looking model directly from the classified point clouds by processing model is very effective for showing local authorities and
only the ground points. The scalable terrain model was then individual landowners what effect, if any, the overhead line
for. Scalable terrain
draped with high resolution images and the vector geometry electrification (OLE) works will have on them.
models now allow us engineering information referenced directly into the scene.
The model was tiled to cover separate areas of tens
to create and manage of kilometers.
terrain models with In order to assess vegetation for clearance, the non-ground
hundreds of millions of point-cloud data was also merged into the 3D model. By
integrating the colored point cloud of the vegetation into the
points and the section model, Network Rail was able to identify vegetation areas that
needed to be reduced to meet the necessary clearance for the
modeling capability new overhead electrical infrastructure.
addresses tunnel
modeling perfectly.”
Th newly
The newly
l gene
generated
rate
t d tun
ttunnel
nell geomet
geometries
tries hhave
ave bbeen
een use
usedd
— John Nolan, CAD Manager, for OLE clearances, niche locations, cable and catch pit
Network Rail locations, and more.

Heading Toward a Live 3D Model for Ongoing

Asset Management
The Great Western Electrification Programme is currently
in the design and construction stage, but Network Rail is
Network
N t kR
Rail
ailil cr
created
eattedd a sscalable
callabl
ble 33D
Dmmodel
odel
d l off th
tthe
he G
Great
reatt
already planning for operations and maintenance by
Western line, by combining terrain, draped images
and i-models. establishing an intelligent model to support long-term
asset management.
Tunnel Modeling Using Point Clouds
The Great Western Electrification Programme includes eight The scalable 3D model will be reused and enriched
tunnels (Newport, Severn, Alderton, Patchway Old, Patchway to aggregate engineering files including DGNs and
New, Sodbury, Clifton Down, and Box) ranging from 700 to i-models, and to index asset information. Asset documentation,
7,000 meters long, which require detailed studies to enable PDFs, images, and videos, are managed with ProjectWise
the planned electrification. In such a confined and potentially and indexed in the scalable 3D model. Users can therefore
dangerous environment, laser scanning technology allowed navigate and interact with the 3D model, and, by clicking
fast, accurate, and safe measurement. Although the point on an asset, access associated documentation stored
clouds by themselves provide great 3D visualization and in ProjectWise.
on-demand measurement capability, subcontractors needed
traditional geometries with a high level of accuracy. Using About BS 1192
Bentley Descartes’ Model by Section tool, Network Rail was
BS 1192 is the British Standard that establishes the method
able to quickly create loft surfaces of the tunnels.
for managing the production, distribution and quality of con-
John Nolan explained, “The modeling capability of Bentley struction information, including that generated by information
Descartes V8i (SELECTseries 4) addresses tunnel modeling modeling software, using a disciplined process for collabora-
perfectly. By defining a template of the tunnel cross-section tion and a specified naming policy. BS 1192 is applicable to
and adjusting this template along the alignment, we were all parties involved in the preparation and use of information
able to model tunnels in 3D with real-time visualization of the throughout the design, construction, operation, and decom-
generated 3D surface, which allowed us to assess quality as missioning of infrastructure across the project lifecycle and
we digitized the model.” the entire supply chain.

27
IM00_02.2016.indd 27 02/02/16 16:25
 Projects shown include works by Bentley users Arup, Buro Happold, Foster + Partners, HDR, Laboratorio de Engenharia e Consultoria, Land Transit Authority, Populus, T.Y. Lin and Crossrail Ltd.

Bentley is Sustaining Infrastructure

S ostenere la realtà che ci circonda attraverso le infrastrutture è
davvero una priorità a livello globale
Bentley offre soluzioni complete per progettazione, engineering, costruzione
e gestione di edifici e per la realizzazione – in ambito BIM - di progetti
strutturali e infrastrutturali di ogni dimensione e complessità.
La gamma di software dedicati ai progetti di ingegneria strutturale
comprende software di modellazione, dettagliatura e analisi che, integrati tra
loro, consentono a architetti, ingegneri e proprietari di infrastrutture di
elevare le performance dei propri asset per costruire infrastrutture di
successo.

Scopri di più su www.bentley.com

CSPFea s.c. via Zuccherificio, 5 D

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Tel. +39 0429 602404 - Fax +39 0429 610021
info@cspfea.net - www.cspfea.net

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IM00_02.2016.indd 28 02/02/16 16:25