Bentley Systems has acquired Keynetix, a UK-based provider of cloud-based software for geotechnical data, as it moves towards subsurface digital twins
The deal is part of Bentley’s plans to move towards enabling subsurface digital twins for infrastructure projects and assets, which would create a 3D model of the underground environment both in terms of geology, hydrology, chemistry and engineering properties, as well as utilities networks, structures and tunnels. The digital twin would then analyse and simulate subsurface behaviour.
Bob Mankowski, vice-president and business unit executive of digital cities for Bentley Systems, said: “Infrastructure professionals know that the geologic, hydrologic, chemical and engineering properties of a potential project site, and the infrastructure assets buried beneath the soil, roads and other structures, represent some of the greatest risks to infrastructure project safety, budgets and schedules.
“Having a subsurface digital twin – a 3D representation of the subsurface coupled with models to analyse and simulate behaviour – will be immensely valuable in all phases of the asset lifecycle. The Keynetix team and their technology bring decades of experience and cutting-edge cloud services to Bentley’s already strong geotechnical portfolio – gINT, PLAXIS and SoilVision – and will accelerate the progress of our vision for subsurface digital twins.”
Roger Chandler, managing director of Keynetix, added: “Today’s announcement provides our team, customers and partners with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to advance digital engineering in the geotechnical industry.
“At Keynetix, our mission has always been to make geotechnical data more broadly accessible and valuable. Today’s announcement will truly open up geotechnical data collaboration across Bentley, Autodesk and other platform.”
