CIM – 21st Century Tools, Technologies and Processes for Infrastructure Projects

Editor's Notes

• #14: Description of project: This project (~$ 68 M, completed in 2011) is a beautification and renewal construction project in Dallas, TX. The end result of the project is the creation of a 5.2-acre park that will serve as a “central gathering space for Dallas and its visitors to enjoy the heart of the city. The existing depressed section of the freeway involved in the project will be transformed into a transportation tunnel system underneath the park that will include life safety systems as required by the TxDOT. It had three Construction Packages (Base Park) with different agencies coordinating together • City of Dallas Public Works – Storm Sewer Construction • TxDOT – Deck Package • City of Dallas Parks and Recreation – Park Landscape and Hardscape Packages This project is also characterized by the placement of large precast beams - 60 tons and 100 feet long – and precast trench panels. According to the contractor, most of the beams can be safely placed only with the use of the largest crane available in the region (consider limited work space). The 3-D model and associated 4-D animations were used to evaluate possible crane placement scenarios - placing the crane on the main lanes or on the frontage roads – and readily communicate traffic impacts and accessibility issues. In addition, colored images and animations, depiction of lane closures were also added to the model to increase its utility for Public Information
• #15: Description of project: The President George Bush Turnpike offers a significant east-west route within a major developing economic area in the northern half of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. (Completed in 2011.) The project involves constructing a bridge over Lake Ray Hubbard, four direct connectors that connect the two highways as well as the rebuilding of the I-30 section connecting with the PGBT. Scope included a section of the Eastern Extension of the President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT), a major highway corridor in Dallas. The 3-D model of the PGBT project allowed the detection of two kinds of conflicts involving utilities. First, space conflicts between existing utilities and the proposed alignment of the storm sewer system were found. Second, drilled shafts needed to support the direct connectors were found to be intersected by two water and sewer lines. Lines. These conflict identification helped TxDOT prioritize utility relocations. The 4-D CAD model, color-coded, was used to check the ROW acquisition process and schedule, which corresponds to a significant phase in a transportation project and represents an important part of the total project cost.
• #16: Description of the project: The project ($ 800 Million) intends to replace the ageing existing bridges over the Trinity River and existing levee system with eight new bridges that will, once completed, play a vital role in alleviating the congestion of the city-bound traffic. The MMD signature bridges, designed as a steel arch structure, will be erected along the sides of I-30 and serve the pedestrians. The Mixmaster, the region where the I-30 and I-35 converges near downtown Dallas, will be widened to include 23 lanes when completed (2017). Parametric 3D modeling of I-30 and I-35 highways and bridges were done based on detailed design submittals. 4D simulation was created using schedule and subsequent monthly updates. Existing trinity bridge was also modeled using the archived design drawings and topological survey data for the project. Sketch-up models of Downtown buildings were also included to enhance contextualization of the model. Overall, the model helped in : visualizing the complex demolition alongside new construction activities (Figure on top right) Advanced rendering images and drive-through animations for public information. Addition of lane markings and signage infrastructure (in progress)
• #17: This slide shows other emerging applications that are related to 3D modeling. Top left: This picture shows a fully 3-D Digital Terrain Model (DTM). While DTMs are often used to represent the information on Existing Ground (EG), the design, detailing, and deliverables of proposed ground, layers of pavements have been generally following 2-D document-based workflow (plans, elevations, and cross-sections@ 50ft etc.). With the dvancements in design software and processes, several DOTs have been envisioning or in the process a collaborative 3-D design environment. It has also become conceivable to design and deliver design solutions for structural elements and utilities in 3-D. Top right: This picture represents the point cloud data of a bridge. Many agencies, including TxDOT, are investing in scanning and Mobile LiDAR technologies to collect digital data of their asset for various purposes. While many studies have focused on technicalities of data collection processes, DOTs are now looking towards investing in standards and specifications, studying ROIs for integrating these tools with their business workflows Bottom middle: This image is a representation of Automated Machine Guidance (AMG), a technology that utilizes machine-readable 3-D data and real-time positioning systems to automate the pavement construction activities (such as excavation, grading, compaction, among others). This tool can improve productivity, enhance site safety, and improve overall quality of pavement. The figure shows Slipform Paver Machine Controls for concrete paving. The 3D model provided the design surface of the proposed overlay. The stringless paving method selected, utilized multiple robotic total stations with prisms mounted on the paving machine. Vertical control reference points were established at 250-foot intervals on alternating sides of the roadway. This kept the paving equipment, crews, and terrain from interfering with the line of sight between the paving machine and reference control points. In order for the robotic total station to establish correct X,Y,Z coordinates, the station needed to have a triangulation system which required a clear line-of-sight (electronic stringline) to at least three reference points. With the advancements in construction technologies, more electronic and hydraulic controls can be added to make AMG more efficient.