Society relies on a complex network of infrastructure projects – from transportation systems to power grids – that ensure our well-being and economic growth. These undertakings are complex and require long-term planning, construction, and ongoing maintenance of services. However, a historical digital gap has hampered collaboration and efficiency in infrastructure delivery throughout the project lifecycle.

Recent advancements in data exchange standards and specialized 3D viewers are paving the way for a more seamless and efficient future for infrastructure projects. By bridging the digital gap, these advancements promise to transform how we build and maintain the infrastructure that underpins our society.

Understanding Infrastructure Projects

What are infrastructure projects?

Infrastructure projects refer to large-scale undertakings that develop, maintain, or upgrade physical structures and facilities that are essential for a society’s function and growth. These projects usually involve significant planning, construction, and operational work.

They cover a broad spectrum of sectors and can include:

• Transportation infrastructure like highways, railway tracks, tunnels, and bridges.
• Utility infrastructure such as power plants, water treatment facilities, and waste management systems.
• Digital infrastructure, encompassing telecommunication networks and data centers.
• Public facilities like schools, hospitals, and government buildings.

What are the differences between infrastructure development vs construction works in the AECOO industry?

Infrastructure projects differ from regular construction projects in their complexity, scale, and impact on the community. These projects often involve collaboration between government agencies, private sector companies, and contractors, with a focus on long-term sustainability and economic growth.

Focus:

• Infrastructure Development: Focuses on the planning, financing, and creation of large-scale systems that support a society. It requires a long-term vision and strategy for sustainability and economic growth.
• Construction: Focuses on the physical act of building or erecting individual structures. This includes residential buildings, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and even some elements of infrastructure projects (like building a bridge as part of a larger transportation network).

Scale:

• Infrastructure Development: Generally involves large-scale projects with a long-term impact on a wider area or population. They often require complex engineering considerations and collaboration between various stakeholders (a public-private partnership between government agencies and private companies, etc.).
• Construction: Can vary in scale, ranging from small residential projects to large commercial buildings. While some construction projects can be complex, they are typically smaller in scope than infrastructure development projects.

Lifespan and Maintenance:

• Infrastructure Development: Projects are designed to last for decades, if not centuries. They require ongoing maintenance and occasional upgrades but are built for long-term functionality.
• Construction: The lifespan varies depending on the type of structure. Residential buildings are typically expected to last for several decades, while some industrial facilities might have a shorter lifespan. Maintenance needs also vary depending on the structure’s purpose and materials.

The Digitization Aspect of the Infrastructure Landscape

Despite having distinct core characteristics, infrastructure and construction projects, both within the AECOO industry, currently occupy different stages of digitalization. Infrastructure projects are inherently more complex and require stricter standards for consistency across design, construction, and maintenance work compared to ordinary construction projects. This explains why BIM (Building Information Modeling) was historically focused on building projects and not well-suited for infrastructure.

While standards and methods for construction projects have been well-established for a long time, infrastructure project standards and requirements have only recently been developed.

However, there’s good news! This has recently changed. More focus and effort are being directed toward infrastructure. One significant development marking a turning point is IFC 4.3, which has the potential to dramatically change how we build infrastructure and manage the operation and maintenance process for the better.

Bridging the Digital Gap: IFC 4.3 and 3D Viewers for Streamlined Infrastructure Management

The Important Role of IFC 4.3 for Building Infrastructure

Previously, Building Information Modeling (BIM) primarily focused on building construction due to limitations in the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) standard. Earlier versions of IFC lacked functionalities crucial for infrastructure projects, such as representing long linear structures exceeding 10 kilometers or utilizing orthogonal sections commonly used in infrastructure design work.

The introduction of IFC 4.3 marks a turning point. This update incorporates essential features specifically tailored to infrastructure requirements. The ability to represent large-scale structures and utilize orthogonal sections allows for a more accurate and comprehensive digital representation of infrastructure projects within the IFC framework. This standardization is a game changer, enabling seamless data exchange across various software applications throughout the project lifecycle.

Leveraging Project Data with Advanced 3D Viewers

While IFC 4.3 bridges the data gap through standardization, additional solutions are needed to fully unlock the potential of this rich infrastructure data. Here’s where advanced 3D viewers come into play. Traditional viewers may struggle with the sheer size and complexity of IFC files generated by large infrastructure projects.

Advanced 3D viewers, like Catenda’s solution, are specifically designed to handle extremely large IFC files, spanning several kilometers in size. More importantly, they adhere to the IFC 4.3 ADD2 standard, ensuring accurate visualization and analysis of the data embedded within the IFC model. This allows project stakeholders – engineers, architects, construction managers, and facility operators – to collaboratively visualize, analyze, and extract valuable insights from the infrastructure model. The viewer benefits from continuous development, ensuring it remains compatible with evolving buildingSMART International open data standards and industry needs.

For software developers looking to integrate advanced IFC visualization capabilities into their existing workflows, Catenda offers Catenda Boost. This set of BIM APIs allows you to leverage the powerful 2D and 3D visualization technology from Catenda Hub within your software, enabling easy reading and writing of BIM data.

Critical Benefits of IFC 4.3 and Advanced 3D Viewers for Seamless Project Delivery

By bridging the digital gap between design, construction, and maintenance, IFC 4.3 and advanced 3D viewers play a crucial part in infrastructure development and offer a multitude of benefits for infrastructure projects:

• Improved Collaboration: Consistent and accessible data fosters better communication and collaboration between project stakeholders throughout the lifecycle.
• Enhanced Decision-Making: Data visualization and analysis capabilities of 3D viewers empower informed decision-making during design, construction, and maintenance phases.
• Reduced Errors and Rework: Improved data consistency minimizes the risk of errors and rework arising from communication gaps and siloed information.
• Increased Efficiency: Streamlined workflows and improved collaboration lead to faster project completion times and reduced costs.
• Improved Maintenance and Operation: The digital thread established through IFC allows for better management and optimization of infrastructure assets during their operational lifespan.

The emergence of IFC 4.3 and advanced 3D viewers marks a new era for infrastructure delivery. By bridging the digital gap and fostering seamless data exchange, these advancements hold immense potential to improve collaboration, decision-making, and overall project efficiency. This paves the way for a future where infrastructure projects are not only built more efficiently but also maintained and operated more effectively, ultimately contributing to significant infrastructure improvements for the benefit of society.

Haven’t integrated the power of IFC 4.3 into your infrastructure projects yet? Now’s the time for your company to make a positive change thanks to efficient and flexible IT solutions!

We’re collaborating with industry leaders like Egis to deliver critical infrastructure projects worldwide using IFC 4.3 technology. Contact us with any questions. Our Catenda team is here to help you navigate the landscape of IFC 4.3 and unlock its benefits for your projects.