Shoutout and credit to @ArtemBoiko for the image above, with our creative addition.

Navigating the Nuances Between Design BIM and Construction BIM in Infrastructure Projects

Building Information Modeling (BIM) stands as a foundational technology driving efficiency and precision. However, not all BIM is created equal. There are significant distinctions between Design BIM and Construction BIM that professionals in the field must understand to optimize their projects.

Design BIM

Design BIM primarily focuses on planning and architecture, creating detailed digital representations of buildings and infrastructure. Design Engineers use it to incorporate spatial relationships, geographic information, building component properties, and running excessive analysis, such as FEM. This model is useful for visualizing the final product, ensuring requirements and alignment, and seamless integration into the environment. However, transitioning this model to Construction BIM presents challenges. 

Some owners still procure design work deliverable as a PDF drawing even though design process may be model-based, but it is increasingly common to have IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) models from the design process also to the site.

Credits: Sobstad AS, Tanem-Tulluan

Construction BIM

Construction BIM is practical and hands-on, adapting design models for construction needs by adding details like temporary roads. It must be compatible with on-site machinery. A key point of Open BIM and connected workflows is that a single exported model can be accessed by designers, owners and site people, but also sent directly to the construction equipment. Workflows typically include visualization, content and continuity analysis, volume calculation, precision machine control and stake-outs. Extra work and risky conversions should be avoided and performance and usability on site equipment should be ensured.  

The LandXML format is synonymous with Earthworks and Road construction BIM in today’s workflows because of its suitability and support on various systems and construction software. IFC is a similar keyword for any structure such as a bridge or building. 

When PDF files are received, Construction BIM models are typically rebuilt by the Chief Surveyor as an extra data preparation step to enable any sort of surveying on site.

Challenges and Industry Perceptions

While “build before you build” is a sound concept allowing significant simulation, BIM often falls short beyond this premise, raising the question: Has BIM failed? 

Some argue the concept needs rethinking and restarting, focusing on construction rather than design needs. Until then, the industry will continue to be held back. 

Project models may yet introduce challenges in the Construction BIM landscape too. Earthworks projects are full of surprises and rapid design changes are a must for successful projects. Thus, project models where the contractor does not have access to rapid digital design changes, leaves a ton of the available benefits behind.  

Whatever the case, Design-build or Alliance project models where refined and approved models are available in a matter of days are generally seen as more successful compared to bid-build projects.  

One challenge for the Construction phase is that the same model needs to run on AEC-grade desktop computers and all field instruments that have much lower processing capacity. So, despite its potential, IFC workflows for construction use still require more optimization and standardization.

Practical Recommendations

 Owners should abandon a PDF approach and jump to procuring model-based construction; if it feels overwhelming to start with 2D drawings located in the project’s coordinates and scale, they can use DXF instead of DWG. Designers often prefer DWGs, but these are troublesome for neutral parties due to their proprietary binary format and complexity. DXF, by contrast, is open and easier for neutral parties to support. 

This proprietary versus open format debate leads to General Contractors working with whatever Designers provide, often resulting in double payment for BIM designs that miss out on more real-life benefits. Many customers have experienced full BIM designs being discarded at the start of construction, highlighting the disconnect between design BIM and practical construction needs. 

Any digital model or drawing is much better for the data prep step than PDF files, but the above points must be considered, and data needs to be converted and sanitized, typically to LandXML format for ultimate interoperability and to suit today’s site workflows.  

Conclusions

The closest the industry has come to interoperability between all stakeholders in the model-based process is the Inframodel standard that introduces sufficient requirements for design and site workflows. Thus, for IFC to succeed, MVD (Model View Definition) for Construction workflows would be needed and internationally agreed as a standard so that all stakeholders and vendors on site would be able to use the same model efficiently. 

In the meantime, Infrakit continues to provide a neutral platform for infrastructure projects, effectively managing the shift between Design BIM to field-ready Construction BIM. This can mean the difference between a project that is on time and under budget, and one that faces challenges in execution. Until the industry rethinks BIM from the ground up, focusing on practical construction needs and data flow, these challenges will persist. BIM has the potential to revolutionize construction, but only if it evolves to meet the practical realities of the field. 

Book time with our experts to discover how these solutions can be leveraged for improved efficiency and success in your next construction project.

Infrakit Transforms Digital Rail Construction

Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group, a leader in railway construction, faced challenges in integrating digital solutions to streamline their operations. They partnered with Infrakit, aiming to enhance their project management and execution processes.

In our recent webinar, Peter Lenk from Infrakit talked to Patrick Giller, from their Digital Rail Services team.

Utilizing Infrakit’s comprehensive platform, Rhomberg Sersa integrated various digital tools into their workflow. These included real-time survey data, drone orthophoto-based maps and  360-degree site photos, all accessible through Infrakit’s cloud-based system.

The team effectively used these tools for planning, real-time monitoring, and seamless communication among project stakeholders.

The implementation of Infrakit led to significant improvements:

• Efficiency: Enhanced data integration allowed for streamlined processes. Patrick Giller emphasized, “We can create our measurement virtually from the office without having to go directly to the construction site, with the photos documented here beautifully.” In other words, remote monitoring and measurement reduce the need for frequent site visits, saving travel costs and time
• Accuracy: Precise georeferenced data resulted in minimized errors and rework, leading to significant cost savings. Efficient planning and visualization can prevent costly mistakes and improve the accuracy of project execution
• Collaboration: Improved communication between on-site teams and project managers facilitated smoother project execution. Giller emphasized, “Infrakit is heavily used by us in construction management and in the exchange between the construction site and the office, project management, site supervision, foremen, machine operators, and our digital rail service team. We use the platform to support our digital solutions”.

Infrakit has proven to be a highly valuable tool for Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group, driving digital transformation in rail construction. Their experience underscores the platform’s potential to revolutionize project management and execution across the industry.

See the whole webinar here in German (you may turn on English captions using the Youtube player settings)

Book time with our experts to discover how these solutions can be leveraged for improved efficiency and success in your next construction project.

We had the pleasure of speaking with Thomas Gröninger from Austrian construction company Swietelsky AG. Thomas shared his insights on the transformative role of technology in the AEC sector, the challenges of digital adoption, and the future of sustainable practices.

Can you share a bit about your journey in the AEC technology industry and how you got started?

I started my journey as a site manager for infrastructure projects. I m really open minded regarding new technologies and Lean Construction. I had a lot of processes which costed me a lot of time and effort. I started to optimize construction processes to have a smoother and more efficient workflow doing my job as a site manager. After that I switched to a full time job doing this for different topics like for Mapping and BIM. I build up different groups and business units in a large construction company for digitalization to bring that mindset and technologies international. It’s like a digitalization fever. Until you see business unit working digital on their own, it is the proof that you did all right.

How has technology transformed the way projects are conceptualized, planned, and executed in the AEC industry during your career?

The most influence was or is BIM. As an requirement on some market in public tenders, there is no question if we want to transform. We have to!

Other technologies are improving the efficiency of some part of the construction process which makes it faster and in higher quality.

As someone deeply involved in AEC tech, what challenges have you encountered, and how have you overcome them?

The biggest challenge is the human challenge. The mindset and the fear to loosing competence while implementing digital tools and technologies. You need to understand different languages spoken on site, management, c-levels, etc. You need to translate your knowledge in different languages (I don’t talk about real language 😊)

Considering the current technological advancements, where do you see the future of AEC technology heading in the next 5-10 years?

Very clear for me. A.I. machine learning, deep learning. Robotics. Look at the development of robotics. Take as an Example that Robo-Dog. Technical that machine works. But there are not really use cases on site, because this dog is lacking in intelligence. Some companies are using it for their image but its fake.

Collaboration is crucial in AEC projects. How have collaborative tools and platforms evolved, and what role do they play in enhancing project efficiency, especially with diverse stakeholders like designers, engineers/surveyors, project managers and client owners?

You are talking about BIM. Let’s say the people are still in a learning curve. Depends also on the market we are looking to. Germany e.g. ist political on a high digitalization level, but the reality in a project can be the complete opposite. Paper, Emails, Letters, no CDE, etc. Some international project sometimes have some really high level communication platforms but it is more an exception then a standard.

Sustainability is a growing concern. How do you perceive the role of AEC technology in promoting sustainable practices within the industry?

For me sustainability is really important. I m also following that topic in my private life.

So many technologies are combined with sustainability. Look at GIS. We measure some Geodata on a project and can use it with GIS also in 5 years for a another project. Same for geological investigations and other Data. I remember an example where a university analysed how often the same wall is measured on a construction site because the people don’t share information.

At the moment sustainability is more a politcal issue, but we need to bring that understanding and knowledge to everyone on the construction industry.

With the rise of BIM (Building Information Modeling), how do you think it has impacted the design and construction phases of AEC projects, and what do you anticipate for its future?

For Building it is more developed then for infrastructure projects. So for infrastructure projects, the designers are not really delivering or working with BIM. Why? Because they have not the requirement from the clients. Because to design in BIM is more expensive then to design in old school way. Somebody who is responsible for the lifecycle of a building needs to pay for it.

As technology advances, there’s often a learning curve for industry professionals. How can the AEC sector ensure a smooth transition for its workforce into more tech-driven practices?

Step by Step and with different translations for different levels. The next generation will expect that tech driven workflows. Otherwhise they wont decide for a job in the construction industrie.

Are there any specific trends or emerging technologies in AEC that you find particularly exciting or promising for the industry’s future?

A.I. is for many people just a marketing flop, because currently it is not really A.I. It is a littlebit deep learning with not really good results. But in the future we can expect here a big change.

Looking beyond technology, what cultural or mindset shifts do you believe are necessary for the AEC industry to fully embrace and capitalize on technological advancements?

On the one hand we need to get an open minded basis on site to bring technologies to the construction process. On the other hand we have an average age of over 40 years on site and not everyone is familiar using new technologies. New staff is coming is learning the old way. We need to educate young people before they start their on site. The older generation we need to inform, train and pull into the new processes. Not push, pull! If you push, you’re doing the top down mistake.

How do you see the role of technology in bridging the gap between the physical and digital worlds within the AEC industry, and what impact do you think this connection will have on project development and execution?

It is needed to offer trainings and to be able to offer personal support to step into the digital world. How children learn do cycle? You explain it to them and then you assist them until they can manage it themselves. Same with the gap between physical and digital world.

Lastly, reflecting on your career, what advice would you give to young professionals entering the AEC technology field today?

Go first on a construction project and learn and feel the process to get an understanding of construction requirements. Then take your knowledge and try to think different and optimize processes. It’s the same like the McDonald brothers did it. They lived the conventional restaurant process and optimized it. That’s Lean. And Lean is not something which everyone needs to learn, it is just a personal attitude.

We had the pleasure of speaking with Thomas Gröninger from Austrian construction company Swietelsky AG. Thomas shared his insights on the transformative role of technology in the AEC sector, the challenges of digital adoption, and the future of sustainable practices.

Can you share a bit about your journey in the AEC technology industry and how you got started?

I started my journey as a site manager for infrastructure projects. I m really open minded regarding new technologies and Lean Construction. I had a lot of processes which costed me a lot of time and effort. I started to optimize construction processes to have a smoother and more efficient workflow doing my job as a site manager. After that I switched to a full time job doing this for different topics like for Mapping and BIM. I build up different groups and business units in a large construction company for digitalization to bring that mindset and technologies international. It’s like a digitalization fever. Until you see business unit working digital on their own, it is the proof that you did all right.

How has technology transformed the way projects are conceptualized, planned, and executed in the AEC industry during your career?

The most influence was or is BIM. As an requirement on some market in public tenders, there is no question if we want to transform. We have to!

Other technologies are improving the efficiency of some part of the construction process which makes it faster and in higher quality.

As someone deeply involved in AEC tech, what challenges have you encountered, and how have you overcome them?

The biggest challenge is the human challenge. The mindset and the fear to loosing competence while implementing digital tools and technologies. You need to understand different languages spoken on site, management, c-levels, etc. You need to translate your knowledge in different languages (I don’t talk about real language 😊)

Considering the current technological advancements, where do you see the future of AEC technology heading in the next 5-10 years?

Very clear for me. A.I. machine learning, deep learning. Robotics. Look at the development of robotics. Take as an Example that Robo-Dog. Technical that machine works. But there are not really use cases on site, because this dog is lacking in intelligence. Some companies are using it for their image but its fake.

Collaboration is crucial in AEC projects. How have collaborative tools and platforms evolved, and what role do they play in enhancing project efficiency, especially with diverse stakeholders like designers, engineers/surveyors, project managers and client owners?

You are talking about BIM. Let’s say the people are still in a learning curve. Depends also on the market we are looking to. Germany e.g. ist political on a high digitalization level, but the reality in a project can be the complete opposite. Paper, Emails, Letters, no CDE, etc. Some international project sometimes have some really high level communication platforms but it is more an exception then a standard.

Sustainability is a growing concern. How do you perceive the role of AEC technology in promoting sustainable practices within the industry?

For me sustainability is really important. I m also following that topic in my private life.

So many technologies are combined with sustainability. Look at GIS. We measure some Geodata on a project and can use it with GIS also in 5 years for a another project. Same for geological investigations and other Data. I remember an example where a university analysed how often the same wall is measured on a construction site because the people don’t share information.

At the moment sustainability is more a politcal issue, but we need to bring that understanding and knowledge to everyone on the construction industry.

With the rise of BIM (Building Information Modeling), how do you think it has impacted the design and construction phases of AEC projects, and what do you anticipate for its future?

For Building it is more developed then for infrastructure projects. So for infrastructure projects, the designers are not really delivering or working with BIM. Why? Because they have not the requirement from the clients. Because to design in BIM is more expensive then to design in old school way. Somebody who is responsible for the lifecycle of a building needs to pay for it.

As technology advances, there’s often a learning curve for industry professionals. How can the AEC sector ensure a smooth transition for its workforce into more tech-driven practices?

Step by Step and with different translations for different levels. The next generation will expect that tech driven workflows. Otherwhise they wont decide for a job in the construction industrie.

Are there any specific trends or emerging technologies in AEC that you find particularly exciting or promising for the industry’s future?

A.I. is for many people just a marketing flop, because currently it is not really A.I. It is a littlebit deep learning with not really good results. But in the future we can expect here a big change.

Looking beyond technology, what cultural or mindset shifts do you believe are necessary for the AEC industry to fully embrace and capitalize on technological advancements?

On the one hand we need to get an open minded basis on site to bring technologies to the construction process. On the other hand we have an average age of over 40 years on site and not everyone is familiar using new technologies. New staff is coming is learning the old way. We need to educate young people before they start their on site. The older generation we need to inform, train and pull into the new processes. Not push, pull! If you push, you’re doing the top down mistake.

How do you see the role of technology in bridging the gap between the physical and digital worlds within the AEC industry, and what impact do you think this connection will have on project development and execution?

It is needed to offer trainings and to be able to offer personal support to step into the digital world. How children learn do cycle? You explain it to them and then you assist them until they can manage it themselves. Same with the gap between physical and digital world.

Lastly, reflecting on your career, what advice would you give to young professionals entering the AEC technology field today?

Go first on a construction project and learn and feel the process to get an understanding of construction requirements. Then take your knowledge and try to think different and optimize processes. It’s the same like the McDonald brothers did it. They lived the conventional restaurant process and optimized it. That’s Lean. And Lean is not something which everyone needs to learn, it is just a personal attitude.

I had the pleasure of discussing user experience work at Infrakit with Sarah Meronen, our UX Lead. Sarah is a member of our Product team at Infrakit HQ.

Sarah, could you tell us what does your regular day consist of, or is there such a thing as a regular day?

It really depends on what I’m working on – and which product of ours. Sometimes I’m more design focused, those days I will spend most of my time in Figma and going back and forth with people on feedback. Focusing on research, I could be setting up user tests, analysing data in spreadsheets, and the like.

What got you interested in UX?

I always enjoyed making websites and creating art growing up. When I was working construction after finishing high school, I looked up what types of jobs could be done with the web and found “UX”, so I signed up for design school.

What’s the most exciting part in user experience work?

For me, that I get to be hands on in the full depth of what ux work is – from understanding a problem, researching, designing, testing.

What’s something that people don’t know about UX but is very critical in your work?

UI (user interface) does not equal UX, but UI is a part of the UX. Focusing purely on UI can mean missing opportunities that go beyond the surface level.

If we think about product and R&D functions in general, we still don’t have enough diversity in those. Many girls don’t really have role models to look up to in coding, for example. What would you say to young women interested in your field of expertise?

UX careers are more balanced than other fields in STEM if I do a quick google search. And I’d say that is mostly my experience in recent years. I think its important for young women, especially, to have confidence in their work and their worth. Also, finding someone you can relate to and confide in helps your career in so many ways. I have worked with wonderful people who have helped increase my confidence and given great resources to learn with, from managers to a more senior ux researcher who left a lasting impact.