Promoting a Revolution in Design Methods to Enhance Core Competitiveness
Establishing a Three-Dimensional Collaborative Design Approach Unique to Longjiang Water Institute
Wang Haomin
(Heilongjiang Provincial Water Resources and Hydropower Survey and Design Institute, Harbin 150000, China)
Abstract:
“3D Collaborative Design” embodies the latest concepts and advanced standards in engineering design. This approach significantly enhances both the quality and efficiency of design processes, representing a major trend and revolutionary advancement in computer technology applications within the engineering design sector today.
Since 2011, Heilongjiang Provincial Water Resources and Hydropower Survey and Design Institute has been implementing 3D collaborative design. Following initial research, software evaluation, and pilot projects, the institute selected Bentley’s MicroStation 3D design platform and ProjectWise collaboration platform from the United States for widespread adoption. This strategy aims to gradually build large-scale 3D collaborative design capabilities. Ultimately, the goal is to achieve digital engineering design transfer, full project lifecycle management, and to reach a leading technological position domestically.
Keywords:
3D collaborative design, technological innovation, MicroStation, ProjectWise, digital handover, lifecycle management
Driving a Revolution in Design Methods to Boost Core Competitiveness
Launching a 3D Collaborative Design Path at Heilongjiang Provincial Water Institute
WANG Hao-min
(Heilongjiang Provincial Water Conservancy & Hydroelectric Power Investigation, Design and Research Institute, Harbin 150000, China)
Abstract: “3D Collaborative Design” represents the cutting-edge concepts and highest standards in the design field. This method greatly improves design quality and efficiency. It has become a global trend and the driving force behind advances in computing technology for engineering design.
Since 2011, the Heilongjiang Provincial Water Conservancy & Hydroelectric Power Institute has initiated 3D collaborative design. After research, evaluation, and pilot projects, Bentley’s MicroStation was chosen as the 3D design platform, and ProjectWise as the collaboration platform. These tools were adopted for broad implementation, aiming to gradually establish large-scale 3D collaborative design production capabilities.
The long-term goal is to enable digital transfer and lifecycle management of projects, positioning the institute as a leader in domestic engineering technology.
Keywords: 3D collaborative design; technology innovation; MicroStation; ProjectWise; digital transfer; lifecycle management
3D Collaborative Design offers intuitive and efficient design capabilities, overcoming the limitations of conventional 2D design which is often intangible and difficult to visualize.
The design process has evolved from a linear sequence to an interactive, parallel workflow, significantly enhancing design quality and shortening project timelines, thereby reducing costs.
This represents the leading edge of design concepts and technologies and has become a major trend and new direction in the engineering design industry.
With increasing national investment in water conservancy and hydropower infrastructure, design institutes face growing workloads and tighter deadlines. To stay competitive and meet rising client demands for quality and efficiency, Heilongjiang Provincial Water Resources and Hydropower Survey and Design Institute (“the Institute”) launched a 3D Collaborative Design project in April 2011.
The project progresses through planned phases: preliminary research, software evaluation, pilot projects, promotion, and application popularization. Through this revolution in design methods, the Institute aims to enhance core competitiveness, elevate overall design and production levels, create premium brands, build an innovative image, and establish a distinctive 3D collaborative design approach unique to Longjiang Water Institute.
Phase 1: Preliminary Research
3D Collaborative Design is a revolutionary approach in engineering design, replacing traditional 2D methods with new design patterns and collaborative workflows. Existing design methods no longer meet the needs of 3D collaboration, thus the development of 3D Collaborative Design requires a systematic and well-funded approach.
Although 3D design exploration in water conservancy and hydropower started in the 1980s, large-scale systematic efforts began only recently, such as the adoption of Bentley’s MicroStation by East China Survey and Design Institute in 2004.
There are few successful case studies and the software platforms are still evolving. Public information is fragmented. Therefore, thorough preliminary research to understand industry trends and developments is essential for setting the right direction for 3D collaboration design.
In April 2011, Longjiang Water Institute formed a preliminary working group for 3D collaborative design. They assessed their technical capabilities and the state of 3D design, collecting extensive data and conducting online research.
The group proposed detailed “Opinions on Developing 3D Collaborative Design” and a “Work Proposal” outlining key tasks and progress steps. In May, they held technical exchanges with Dassault Systemes’ Catia platform and Autodesk’s 3D software.
By June, targeted research began on software features, selection criteria, user cases, implementation effects, and costs for major 3D platforms such as MicroStation, Catia, and Civil3D. They also studied major users like East China Survey and Design Institute, Chengdu Survey and Design Institute, and Kunming Survey and Design Institute, gathering valuable data to guide software selection.
Table 1 shows the status of 3D collaborative design adoption among domestic water conservancy and hydropower institutes.
Table 1: Current Status of 3D Technology Application in Water Resources and Hydropower Industry
Institution
Start Year
East China Survey and Design Institute
2004
Beijing Survey and Design Institute
2006
Chengdu Survey, Design and Research Institute
2006
Kunming Survey, Design and Research Institute
2007
Yangtze River Water Resources Commission Survey, Planning, Design and Research Institute
September 2008
Three Gorges Project Development Corporation
April 2009
Xinjiang Water Resources and Hydropower Survey and Design Institute
April 2009
Yellow River Conservancy Commission Survey, Planning, Design and Research Institute
July 2009
Jilin Provincial Water Resources and Hydropower Survey and Design Institute
April 2010
Inner Mongolia Water Resources and Hydropower Survey and Design Institute
May 2010
Qinghai Provincial Water Resources and Hydropower Survey and Design Institute
June 2010
Guiyang Survey, Design and Research Institute
August 2010
Northwest Survey and Design Institute
September 2010
Shanghai Survey, Design and Research Institute
October 2010
Zhongnan Survey and Design Institute
February 2011
Northeast Survey, Design and Research Institute
Trial Stage
Fujian Provincial Water Resources and Hydropower Survey and Design Institute
Investigation Stage
Anhui Provincial Water Resources and Hydropower Survey and Design Institute
Investigation Stage
Zhejiang Water Resources and Hydropower Survey and Design Institute
Investigation Stage
Liaoning Provincial Water Resources and Hydropower Survey and Design Institute
Investigation Stage
Phase 2: Software Comparison and Selection
Current popular 3D design software, both domestic and international, can be categorized based on their features and applications:
1) Software for 3D rendering and visualization, such as 3DMAX, MAYA, Rhino, Softimage3D, Lightwave, Bryce 3D, etc.;
2) Software focusing on 3D modeling functions, including AutoCAD, SolidWorks, SolidEdge, MDT, MasterCAM, etc.;
3) Large-scale integrated systems that combine CAD/CAE capabilities with CAE, CAP, PDM functions for analysis, process, and product data management. Examples include CATIA, UG, Pro/E, I-DEAS, Autodesk Inventor, Bentley MicroStation, Cimatron, PDS, PDMS, and PLANTSPACE.
In the domestic water conservancy and hydropower industry, three major providers dominate the large-scale integrated systems:
1) Autodesk’s Civil 3D and Revit 3D design platforms (USA);
2) Bentley’s MicroStation 3D Design and ProjectWise Collaboration Platform;
3) Dassault Systemes’ Catia 3D design and VPM collaboration platform (France).
Building on previous research, in September 2011 Longjiang Water Institute invited Autodesk (and their agent North Wei Huayuan), Bentley, Dassault Systemes (and their agent Chengdu Ximengtech) to participate in a competitive bidding process for the “Overall Solution for 3D Collaborative Design” tailored to the institute’s needs.
Detailed technical comparisons were performed, focusing on:
1) Suitability for water conservancy design industry needs, with successful case studies and strong capabilities, including scalability and support;
Extensive support and scalability features;
2) Advanced, reliable database structures facilitating unified management;
3) Strong composite modeling capabilities;
4) Robust development potential, continuity, and a large user base;
5) Openness with user-friendly interfaces, powerful development tools, compatibility, extensive external interfaces, and support for industry standards;
Rich external interfaces and adherence to relevant industry standards;
6) Comprehensive pre-sales and after-sales support.
To evaluate these proposals, Longjiang Water Institute assembled 68 technical experts and frontline staff to assess 21 detailed indicators. Bentley’s solution was ultimately selected for pilot implementation.
Phase 3: Pilot Project Development
The 3D collaborative design pilot project officially began in November 2011 at Longjiang Water Institute.
The pilot aimed to assess Bentley’s overall solution feasibility, the operational performance of MicroStation 3D design and ProjectWise collaboration platforms, and the comprehensive service capabilities of software providers.
The outcomes were designed to guide the decision on whether to adopt Bentley’s platform and fully establish a 3D collaborative design system at the institute. Bold innovations were introduced in framework design, organization, management, and operational mechanisms.
1) The Fendou Reservoir project in Muling City, Heilongjiang Province was selected as the pilot due to its large scale, complex structure, extensive professional disciplines, and comprehensive data availability. The design was optimized using Bentley’s 3D collaborative software based on hydrological and hydraulic calculations from the proposal stage.
2) A dedicated 3D design team was formed outside the traditional design groups, promoting parallel traditional and 3D design processes. The 3D team operated independently of traditional review workflows, allowing pre-setting of parameters and quick construction of multiple design schemes. Comparative analysis enabled rapid recommendation of optimal designs.
3) A three-dimensional collaborative design leadership group was established, led by the dean and including leaders from relevant departments. A promotion team headed by the vice dean and core design personnel was responsible for implementing decisions and action plans. Frontline experts from various departments formed the pilot project team, ensuring coordinated and comprehensive execution.
4) The project adopted a centralized, closed design management model with strict oversight. Daily planning, individual responsibilities, and meetings facilitated problem solving, work reporting, experience sharing, and team collaboration. Daily logs supported timely issue resolution and knowledge accumulation.
5) The pilot prioritized resource mobilization and funding guarantees. Flexible output value settlement mechanisms, quantitative performance assessments, and incentives based on results completion were introduced.
Thanks to these comprehensive measures, the Longjiang Water Institute’s 3D collaborative design pilot was completed in a centralized, closed environment over 56 days. The 24-member project team became proficient in using specialized 3D design modules such as GEOPAK Surveying Module, GeoEngine, ArchitectureStructure, BBMS, Substation/Romance/BBES, PSDS, among others.
The team completed all 3D modeling for the Fendou Reservoir project, producing 120 2D drawings extracted from the 3D models. The results exceeded plans, achieving high precision and reaching an advanced level comparable to similar projects at the domestic stage.
Based on the pilot evaluation, Bentley’s MicroStation 3D design and ProjectWise collaboration platform were officially selected. On December 31, 2011, a strategic cooperation agreement was signed, marking the official launch of Longjiang Water Institute’s 3D collaborative design work.
Figure 1: 3D Design Results of Fendou Reservoir
Figure 2: 2D Drawing Extracted from 3D Model – Cross-Section of Earth-Rock Dam Tunnel
Phase 4: Future Prospects – Promotion, Implementation, and Practical Application
Following the strategic agreement between Heilongjiang Water Resources and Hydropower Survey and Design Institute and Bentley, the institute entered the phase of promoting and implementing 3D collaborative design in 2012. This phase includes comprehensive training on large-scale 3D collaborative design software and the gradual establishment of organizational structures, management regulations, and standards for 3D design.
The institute plans to realize the transformation of preliminary 3D production capabilities through 1-2 pilot projects, providing guidance for development and customization in practical applications.
Further exploration will focus on practical use of 3D collaborative design, including process reengineering, standards improvement, parametric library customization, and secondary development. The goal is to establish a 3D collaborative design system characteristic of Longjiang Water Institute, completing a comprehensive upgrade of design methods during the 12th Five-Year Plan period and building a large-scale 3D collaborative design production capacity.
With a long-term vision of full lifecycle management and digitalization in water conservancy and hydropower, the institute aims to lead China’s civil engineering field in 3D collaborative design. The goal is to fully integrate 3D collaborative design into all professional areas at Longjiang Water Institute, establish production capacity for digital project transfer, and achieve complete lifecycle management for water conservancy and hydropower projects, thus reaching a leading domestic technological level.
References:
[1] Zhang Shirong, Gu Yan, Zhang Zongliang. Discussion on the Application of 3D Design in the Water Conservancy and Hydropower Industry. Journal of Hydroelectric Power Generation, 2008(3).
[2] Zhuang Yekai. The Application of Bentley 3D Factory Software in Engineering Design. Nonferrous Metallurgy Design and Research, 2009(6).
[3] Ma Liangcheng, Wu Gao. Suggestions for Implementing 3D Design Software in Enterprises. Management Informatization.
[4] Meng Jian, Jiang Shuang. Exploration of CAD Collaborative Design in the Survey and Design Industry. Jilin Water Conservancy, 2009(2): 26-27.
[5] Liu Hui. The Application of CAD Technology in Water Conservancy and Hydropower Survey and Design Industry. Hydraulic Planning and Design, 2008(2).
[6] Wang Shouzhong, Wang Wei. A Brief Discussion on 3D Collaborative Design. Hebei Water Resources, 2011(5).
[7] Ma Ganglin, Ma Zhuang. The Application of 3D CAD Technology in Water Conservancy and Hydropower Project Design. Jilin Water Conservancy, 2008(12): 63-65.
[8] Li Bin, Zong Zhijian, Zheng Huichun. Introduction and Research of Three-Dimensional Design Methods for Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering. People’s Yellow River, 2011(5): 136-137.
[9] Heilongjiang Provincial Water Resources and Hydropower Survey and Design Institute Pre-Work Group for 3D Collaborative Design. Research Report on Software Platform Selection and Implementation in Water Conservancy and Hydropower Industry; 3D Collaborative Design, 2011(8).
[10] Heilongjiang Provincial Water Resources and Hydropower Survey and Design Institute 3D Collaborative Design Pilot Project Team. Report on the Pilot Project of 3D Collaborative Design for the Fendou Reservoir Project, 2011(12).
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