Using a digital twin for large construction projects, such as the Glasblokkene Trinn 2 in Norway, maximises collaboration and efficiency
The new 50,000sq m hospital Glasblokkene Trinn 2 in Bergen, Norway, for children and teenagers is planned to be finalised by 2023.
It will include outpatient clinics, operating rooms, X-ray departments, intensive care units and much more. By capitalising on an open cloud-based planning and data management solution from the Nemetschek Group, the teams were able to implement a completely digital working method to maximise collaboration and efficiency. This provided significant cost savings, better project control and substantially better outcomes for all project stakeholders.
Implementing a digital twin for large construction projects helps to centralise enormous amounts of data
As the largest construction project in the region for nearly 40 years, the Glasblokkene Trinn 2 project needed a solution that would centralise the enormous amount of data for the building in one place. The client, Healthcare Bergen, also wanted an open system so that other software could access and add to the data within this database. The team opted to use dRofus, a Nemetschek Group solution, which would provide all the functionality required to connect different systems and provide a data-first digital twin solution.
The entire hospital project is created based on a master asset database for all disciplines and models – always up to date with all the documentation required for any element
quickly to be accessed just by clicking on the item in the model.
Golden thread of data throughout the project
For this reason, dRofus was embedded into other applications, which allowed on-site updates of data directly into the master asset database and then synced to the design and engineering models and IFC files for a consistent and current set of information. The centralised information management the database offered provided a golden thread of data throughout the project.
“Using a cloud-based federated repository, the golden thread of data, from the start on, combining it with real-time data in the future will create additional huge benefits for the operate and manage phase: This is building lifecycle intelligence at its best,” says César Flores Rodríguez, chief division officer operate & manage and digital twin.
Digital twin delivers documentation before work begins on site
By using a digital twin, the documentation was delivered and controlled before the work started on site, unlike a traditional approach where the documentation is delivered after the building is finished. Not only was the quality of the information enhanced but also complete and correct information was available throughout the project. The database was not only used for the design and construction but also is planned to be used throughout the entire building lifecycle, including operation, linked to building control systems via APIs.
“Information from every stage of a building’s lifecycle will have implications or value in other stages, so preserving and leveraging this data across the building’s lifespan makes total sense,” says Rolf Jerving, CEO of dRofus.
“We call this Building Lifecycle Intelligence. Solutions like dRofus bridge the gap between BIM and Building Lifecycle Intelligence, creating a digital twin and providing a single source of truth that prevents data silos and ensures a data-driven approach that provides value across a built asset’s complete lifecycle.”
The Glasblokkene Trinn 2 project was exclusively digital
No printed drawings were used at any stage. For some of the project partners, this was a totally new way of working.
“Using a digital twin enabled all parties to work in the same environment, collaboration and cross-discipline coordination was improved. Responsibilities for different element data was able to be assigned in the consultants’ models and these updates were shared with the entire project team,” says main project leader, Kristian Brandseth from Healthcare Bergen.
Having the contractors able to create data within the consultants’ models was another unique feature of this approach, which further supported collaboration between teams. Contractors could update product data, generate unique equipment IDs automatically, and update the status of objects. Another valuable addition was that everyone could see the current progress on site thanks to the live cross-disciplines dashboards built on top of dRofus. This enabled subcontractors to plan their work more efficiently, as they knew when another trade was finished.
Using a digital twin for large construction projects proved to be an invaluable tool
For the team on the Glasblokkene Trinn 2 project, the central database that connected all the project information held in different systems was crucial – many would not want to deliver such a large project without this tool.
“The data-first digital twin solution has helped avoid data silos and resulted in better project outcomes. The value that the created data provided throughout the project has generated significant savings, as well as better project control – and will continue to do so throughout the building’s operation,” explains main project leader Kristian Brandseth.
Using a digital twin was a game-changer for the team of Glasblokkene Trinn 2 – resulting in a better construction process, higher quality and ultimately a better building.
Desiree Goldstein
Corporate Communication
Nemetschek Group
Tel: +49 89 540459-0
*Please note: This is a commercial profile
