How we work with BIM
Whole-life asset management
Crossrail is Europe’s largest construction project, with 10,000 people working across some 40 sites. The use of digital engineering at the Paddington Crossrail site has significantly improved the development of whole-life asset management and approach to health and safety, while delivering cost and time savings.
Skanska and Costain are working in joint venture at Paddington Crossrail, part of the £14.8 billion Crossrail programme. Whole-life asset management is a key client priority. As a result, the team at Paddington has supported Crossrail with the development of asset management throughout design, construction and subsequent handover and maintenance.
Through innovation funding, the team is developing an open-source cloud-based solution that supports and aligns with the asset specification. The system is linked directly to the client’s Common Data Environment (CDE), meaning they have complete information throughout the entire project. As a result, the team have been able to name assets in accordance with the asset information specification.
Digital capture
Obtaining information in this form has been essential, as it helps to ensure that issues are communicated instantly to the design team and client and resolved more quickly. A report was developed to highlight the benefits of using mobile technology in this way and the outcome was a fully digital process for the development of as-built redline drawings. Through a six sigma assessment, the outcome was a 65% total saving based on time and paper costs.
Design for health and safety
BIM is key to design for health and safety at Paddington. The virtual environment has enabled the project team to plan and understand the surroundings much better. The design is developed in 3D on a localised coordinate system at 1:1 scale. They are using Survey4BIM, a collaborative cross-industry group, which is playing a vital role in supporting the design and understanding of the site. It’s enabling the team to simulate the project and plan any challenging aspects, leading to more clarity and safer working for site operatives.
“Ben and the Paddington BIM team were the first Tier One Contractor team to join Crossrail’s Mobility Task Group and have led the way in piloting and demonstrating the benefits of mobile technology on the construction site.”
Tom O’Keefe
Crossrail Mobility Task Group Lead
“Ben and his team have been a driving force behind BIM at not only Paddington but programme wide. He has raised the bar for Crossrail by tirelessly demonstrating the benefit and value that effectively utilising BIM can have for a project. He consistently and proactively shares his knowledge to help encourage and support the adoption of BIM at Crossrail and in turn industry wide.”
Cherlaine Wright
Crossrail Innovation Team
