Recently, the Shanghai Urban Construction Design and Research Institute, leveraging the Chenxiang Road underpass project, has created three-dimensional printed solid models of Chenxiang Road. These models were developed based on multiple professional BIM models and combined with rapid prototyping technology. After consulting several leading 3D printing companies in China, it was confirmed that the complexity and professionalism of this sample are unparalleled in the municipal sector.
Rapid prototyping technology, commonly known as 3D printing, integrates mechanical engineering CAD, reverse engineering, layered manufacturing, numerical control, materials science, and laser technology. Utilizing materials such as metals, ABS plastics, and photosensitive resins, 3D models can be automatically, directly, quickly, and accurately transformed into functional prototypes or finished parts. Techniques like melt deposition, photopolymerization, selective laser sintering, and layered solid manufacturing enable this process. This technology offers an efficient and cost-effective solution for prototyping and validating new design ideas. Currently, 3D printing is applied in various fields including product design, construction, mechanical manufacturing, culture and art, and aerospace technology.
The sample presented is a BIM model representing the eastern and western sections of the Shanghai Jiaxing Expressway. It measures 80 × 40 × 15 cm at a scale of 1:200 and is made from ABS material, assembled through rapid prototyping fusion technology. The model incorporates multiple professional elements such as SMW method piles, MJS method piles, steel supports, structural columns, main bodies, foundation reinforcements, pedestrian tunnels, and rainwater and sewage systems. This combination reflects the diverse specialties involved in the Chenxiang Road project. By directly utilizing BIM models, this approach minimizes the need for secondary modeling and reduces losses, seamlessly conveying the design intent.
Traditionally, construction managers need to understand the design intent before beginning work, and designers must provide detailed explanations during briefings. Rapid prototyping samples offer significant advantages in representing details and three-dimensional effects, helping to translate design concepts into tangible reality. This visual and tactile approach makes the design intent more concrete and allows for more direct and intuitive communication with project owners, breaking away from conventional reporting methods.
BIM applications span multiple disciplines, and the models provided by designers can be seamlessly integrated into construction workflows. These solid models enable multidisciplinary integration and true three-dimensional design. By promoting comprehensive BIM utilization throughout the project lifecycle, the unique benefits of BIM become fully apparent.
Figure 1: Overall Comparison Between BIM Model and Sample
Figure 2: Comparison Between Steel Support BIM Model and Sample
Figure 3: BIM Model and Sample Comparison of Rainwater and Sewage System
Figure 4: Comparison Between MJS Construction Method Pile BIM Model and Sample
Figure 5: Comparison Between SMW Pile BIM Model and Sample
Figure 6: Side View of Rapid Prototype Sample
Figure 7: Bottom View of Rapid Prototype Sample
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