Application of Building Information Modeling in the China Communications Construction Southern Headquarters Building Project
Hu Kai, Gu Qianyan, Teng Yan, Zhu Yan, Xiao Binghui,
Pan Xinyu, Ding Jiaqing, Yu Jiabin, Xing Yujun, Jiang Tang
(China Shipbuilding Ninth Design and Research Institute Engineering Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 200063)
Abstract: Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a computable representation of the physical and functional characteristics of facilities, along with related project lifecycle information, based on open industry standards. It supports informed decision-making and helps realize the full value of a project. This article introduces the initial application work of the CSSC BIM team. Using Bentley software, the China Communications Construction Southern Headquarters Building project employed information modeling and multidisciplinary 3D collaboration. This approach enabled early detection and resolution of construction issues that were previously difficult to address. Additionally, efforts were made to generate construction drawings directly from the model platform, alongside CFD simulation analysis and construction simulations. Through continuous development, BIM is expected to augment traditional practices and expand the value offered throughout the project lifecycle.
Keywords: BIM；Bentley；Pipeline Integration；CFD；Construction Simulation
The Application of Building Information Modeling in CCCC Southern Headquarters Building Project
HU Kai, GU Qian-yan, TENG Yan, ZHU Yan, XIAO Bing-hui,
PAN Xin-yu, DING Jia-qin, YU Jia-bin, XING Yu-jun, JIANG Li
(China Shipbuilding NRDI Engineering Co., Ltd, Shanghai 200063, China)
Abstract: Building Information Modeling (BIM) digitally represents the physical, functional, and lifecycle characteristics of projects based on open industry standards. It supports decision-making and enhances project value. This paper presents the application of BIM in the CCCC Southern Headquarters Building project, utilizing Bentley software, led by the CSSC BIM team. Through information modeling and multidisciplinary 3D collaboration, issues encountered during construction were pre-checked and resolved early. Moreover, construction drawings, CFD simulation analyses, and construction simulations were executed on this modeling platform.
Keywords: BIM；Bentley；Pipeline Synthesis；CFD；Construction Simulation
0 Introduction
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a computable digital representation of a facility’s physical and functional characteristics and its entire project lifecycle information, developed under open industry standards. BIM supports decision-making and helps maximize project value. In China, BIM represents not only a new tool but also a fundamental transformation in how the construction industry operates, integrating technology, management, and methodologies, and pioneering digitization and informatization across the sector[1].
Aligned with corporate strategy, BIM is envisioned not just as technology or a tool, but as a means to augment traditional business value and extend full lifecycle services. The company’s R&D team plans a two-stage BIM implementation: initially establishing development directions through research on large-scale construction and design firms; customizing BIM standards and 3D collaborative design processes suited to the company’s unique characteristics and projects; and applying information modeling and multidisciplinary 3D collaboration during construction drawing design. The second stage will extend BIM technology throughout the entire design process, integrating simulation analysis to realize BIM application across the full project lifecycle.
The application of BIM in the China Communications Construction Southern Headquarters Building project represents the primary focus of the first implementation stage. This article summarizes and discusses this work.
Project Overview
The CCCC Southern Group Headquarters project is located in Haizhu District, Guangzhou City. The building consists of 43 above-ground floors and 3 underground levels. The above-ground section includes a high-rise office tower and an annex. The main tower has a total construction area of approximately 95,385 square meters, with a height of 198.9 meters, categorizing it as a super high-rise building (Class B). The floor plan measures 47.5 by 47.5 meters, utilizing a reinforced concrete frame-core tube structure with steel-concrete composite columns. The core tube’s plan dimensions are 22.4 by 22.6 meters. Figure 1 below shows the perspective view of the building along the river.
BIM Implementation Process
The CSSC BIM team applied Bentley software suite for information modeling and multidisciplinary 3D collaboration during the construction drawing design phase of the China Communications Construction Southern Headquarters project. This enabled early identification and resolution of issues that were previously challenging during construction, and supported CFD simulation analysis, construction simulation, and other related tasks.
2.1 Building, Modifying, and Visualizing 3D Models
With rapid urbanization and increasing demands for diverse building functions and forms, unique and complex structures are becoming more common. Such buildings often defy traditional 2D representation methods, making the 3D visualization capabilities of BIM models essential.
Figure 1: Perspective view of the building along the river
3D visualization serves as an effective communication medium among owners, designers, supervisors, and construction teams. It facilitates accurate understanding, coordination, and collaboration within a shared model environment, improving efficiency and reducing rework. Additionally, 3D models enable dynamic inspections of spatial structures, support diverse commercial format requirements, and satisfy high-level design standards for construction documentation.
The design team continuously built and updated the 3D model of the CCCC Southern Headquarters Building based on construction drawings and revisions, as illustrated in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Three-dimensional final assembly model of the Jiaonan headquarters building
2.2 Multidisciplinary 3D Collaboration
Previously, design information was gathered through 2D CAD drawings, resulting in isolated data and unidirectional problem-solving. BIM technology has enabled the unification of diverse 2D CAD drawings and data tables into a comprehensive digital building model, supporting true bidirectional information linkage.
Our BIM team initiated multidisciplinary 3D collaboration early in the project, customizing the project’s spatial configuration using Bentley’s ProjectWise (PW) platform. A three-dimensional collaborative management organizational structure was established under PW (see Figure 3). The parameterized change engine maintains associations among various information models and documents automatically, ensuring all disciplines access a real-time unified project environment. This environment reflects continuously updated 3D models and synchronizes drawing updates accordingly, reducing repetitive checks and improving design efficiency and quality.
Figure 3: 3D Collaborative Management Catalog on ProjectWise Platform
2.3 3D Collision Detection and Pipeline Integration
In complex large-scale projects, equipment pipelines often conflict with one another or with structural elements due to intricate system layouts. Such collisions complicate construction, reduce interior net height, cause rework, waste resources, and pose safety risks.
Traditionally, pipeline coordination relied on overlaying 2D layout drawings across disciplines, establishing relative positions and elevations based on rules, and producing sectional drawings for key areas. However, BIM enables comprehensive 3D pipeline design, acting as a digital rehearsal and review process. This method reveals hidden design issues related to coordination and spatial conflicts that are often missed in traditional reviews.
Table 1 compares traditional 2D pipeline integration with 3D pipeline integration.
As a significant achievement in this initial BIM application phase, 3D pipeline integration has greatly supported project design, construction, and installation. Using Bentley software’s self-checking modules and collision detection tools in Navigator, conflicts between disciplines are identified and promptly communicated to design teams for adjustments. This iterative process continues until all clashes are resolved, completing the collision detection and pipeline integration layer by layer.
Table 1 Comparison of Two-dimensional and Three-dimensional Pipeline Integration
2.4 3D Drawing Generation
While 3D models provide rich spatial information, design drawings in the industry are predominantly produced in 2D, following established drafting standards and conventions. Therefore, 3D BIM design results still require conversion into 2D drawings.
Figure 4: General Assembly Drawing of Warm Ventilation Pipe
Figure 5: General Assembly Drawing of Cable Tray
Figure 6: General Assembly Drawing of Water Supply and Drainage Systems
Figure 7: Comprehensive Pipeline Collision Inspection Results
Figure 8: 3D Browsing of Collision Points
Figure 9: Design Review Document
Redrawing 2D construction drawings from scratch after design completion is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and wastes existing 3D model data. The most efficient method is to extract 2D drawings directly from 3D models. By pre-customizing settings and utilizing Bentley’s Dynamic View feature, we successfully generated comprehensive 2D pipeline profiles from 3D models, as shown in Figure 10. Annotations are linked to the 3D model settings, ensuring that any changes in the 3D model automatically update the 2D drawings. This frees designers from redundant drafting and allows them to focus on design quality.
Figure 10: Comprehensive 2D Pipeline Section Generated from 3D Model
2.5 Air Distribution (CFD) Analysis
With growing energy scarcity and environmental concerns such as greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, sustainable design has become a critical focus. Green building design aims to minimize the environmental impact of construction and operation, including conserving water and energy, reducing material use, and lowering carbon footprints.
Traditionally, green building assessments require specialized instruments and scale models, which demand extensive resources and time. BIM technology opens new possibilities by providing accurate dimensional, material, spatial, and equipment information in the model. Combined with professional simulation software, it enables real-time analysis and evaluation at low cost, facilitating design decisions and adjustments.
Using the BIM model of the CCCC main building lobby, air inlet and outlet positions were imported into a grid partitioning tool, then into CFD software Ansys Fluent (Figures 11 and 12). Boundary conditions were set for HVAC nozzles, return vents, curtain walls, and interior walls. Airflow analysis included horizontal and vertical temperature distributions, occupant-level temperatures, and velocity sections. Figure 13 shows horizontal temperature distribution results.
Similarly, BIM models can support indoor thermal comfort assessments (temperature, humidity, airflow), pollutant dispersion and ventilation efficiency studies, simulations of high-rise and layered air conditioning environments, outdoor wind field modeling, fire scene airflow simulations, and more.
Figure 11: BIM Model of Lobby
Figure 12: Ansys Fluent Model
Figure 13: Horizontal Temperature Distribution Results
2.6 Construction Simulation
Construction is a complex activity, especially with the rise of modern buildings featuring diverse and intricate shapes. While these designs enhance aesthetics, they also introduce construction challenges that traditional techniques struggle to address.
Virtual Construction (VC), an important BIM application, simulates actual construction processes on computers using parametric design, virtual reality, structural simulation, and CAD technologies. Supported by 3D simulation software and high-performance computing, VC models the flow of people, materials, finances, and information in a highly realistic environment during construction. This approach offers a controllable, non-destructive, low-risk, and repeatable method for all stakeholders, improving construction quality, reducing hazards and accidents, cutting costs and durations, and enhancing decision-making and control.
Furthermore, BIM models help construction teams familiarize themselves fully with drawings, identify potential issues early, and optimize construction methods. Accurate BIM data supports production planning, while technologies like laser scanning, GPS, mobile communication, RFID, and the Internet enable real-time site tracking.
Currently, our team is integrating the 3D BIM model with construction progress to develop a 4D construction resource information model (Figure 14). Future plans include combining construction resources and cost data to extend from 4D simulation to 5D cost control, applying BIM throughout the full design process (design → analysis → review), and providing construction simulation and operational management support for owners and contractors, thus fully realizing BIM’s lifecycle value.
Figure 14: Simulation Process of the Third Underground Floor Construction
3 Conclusion
Through research and practical application, our R&D team has established a dedicated BIM team with developed workflows and collaboration platforms. Several BIM applications have been trialed across different fields. Moving forward, we plan to advance BIM system research, develop localized databases and enterprise standards tailored to our needs, and promote interdisciplinary collaboration in architectural design. With ongoing efforts, we aim to apply BIM technology throughout the entire design process, integrating simulation analysis to realize full lifecycle BIM application.
References:
[1] He Guanpei. BIM’s position, evaluation system, and possible applications in the construction industry. Civil Engineering Information Technology, 2010, 2 (1): 109-116
[2] He Xueshan, Li Liang. Application of 3D design technology in the Hefei Binhu International Convention and Exhibition Center project. Civil and Architectural Engineering Information Technology, 2010, 2 (3): 76-79
[3] Yang Yuanfeng, Cai Xiaobao. Practice and Technical Exploration of Comprehensive Design of 3D Pipeline. Building Structure, 2011, 41 (1): I0023-I0025
[4] Murakami, Wednesday. CFD and Architectural Environment Design. Zhu Qingyu et al. (translators). Beijing: China Architecture & Building Press, 2007
[5] Zhang Li, Shi Yi, Zhang Xiqian. Application Practice and Research Development Prospects of Virtual Construction Technology. Industrial Architecture, 2003 (11), 33-49
Submission date:
Author’s Biography: Hu Kai (born 1984), male, engineer, master’s degree, specializing in performance-based analysis of high-rise building structures and BIM technology applications. E-mail: whocannet@163.com.
Gu Qianyan (born 1964), female, researcher and professor, focusing on hydraulic structure design, super high-rise deep foundation pit analysis, and BIM technology applications. E-mail: guqianyan_cssc@sina.com.
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