Pennsylvania Water Plant BIM: Speed and Accuracy in Project Delivery
[Portal Introduction] Utilizing BIM, the engineering quantities exported from the model saved three weeks of manual cost calculation time. The carefully planned construction schedule ensured fast and seamless progress throughout the project.
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We were the first to implement BIMtechnology on a major wastewater treatment facility project in the United States, resulting in two months saved on design time and three weeks saved on cost estimation.
Located in Pennsylvania, USA, the Crum Creek residuals treatment facility was a challenging project for HMM and Cory Dippold. The Pennsylvania Water Company, owner of the project, commissioned it in July 2009. HMMled the main design improvements, with construction beginning in October of the same year. The facility was operational by the end of June 2010, less than a year after construction began.
The key to the project’s success was HMM‘s customized, cutting-edge BIMtechnology, which created a unique set of tools. This approach shortened design time by one-third, facilitated smooth construction, and generated significant economic benefits.
Crum Creek wastewater treatment plant in Delaware County processes approximately 95,000 cubic meters of water daily, serving urban areas. As part of this modern facility, Pennsylvania Water Company aimed to optimize the treatment of purified water and manage the residual waste material effectively. The residual waste includes impurities extracted from the original water, which undergoes concentration and dehydration before further processing. The facility features large-diameter pipelines, valves, pumps, thickeners, and air compressors.
Unique Features
Crum Creek was one of the first water projects to utilize BIM technology, moving beyond traditional 2D design to an integrated 3D approach that combined design, cost estimation, and scheduling. The design was developed using physical data models. HMMProcess Supervisor and Designer Mike Polito explained: “What you see on the screen is not just simple lines, but objects defined with size, volume, and performance characteristics.”
BIM is widely recognized in architectural design but has seen limited use in infrastructure projects. HMMhas collaborated with manufacturers in water supply and wastewater treatment to develop the necessary content. Cory added: “We incorporated over a thousand water industry product models to enrich our software, enabling us to handle nearly any type of existing project.”
Design Accelerated by 30%
Cory described the advantages of 3D design: “It easily identifies potential issues such as structural, piping, and system conflicts. Complex architectural details are discovered and resolved early in the project, and the 3D model is updated promptly as designs evolve.”
Both Pennsylvania Water Company and the main contractor actively participated in the design process. Cory noted: “Reading two-dimensional drawings is challenging, but BIM allows designers to review the design from multiple perspectives and suggest improvements for maintenance ease. Our interactive design meetings enable rapid evaluation and implementation of these suggestions.”
Because BIMincludes cost data, the project team can assess the economic and physical impacts of their design proposals. Marc Lucca, Vice President of Pennsylvania Water Company, confirmed: “Starting from detailed 3D models makes it easier for our staff to simulate and enhance design quality. It also provides more opportunities to suggest design improvements that simplify future maintenance.”
Process-Oriented Construction
Early detection and correction of design issues reduced potential changes during construction. Mike stated: “The goal of any project is to get it right the first time. However, rework and onsite problem-solving are common. For projects involving large pipelines and specialized equipment, onsite rework is costly. BIM helps communicate our design intent clearly to the project team, making it easier for them to understand the scope and requirements.”
Using BIM to export engineering quantities from the model saved three weeks of manual cost calculation. The construction schedule was planned to ensure rapid and smooth progress. Cory commented: “As construction advances, we coordinate and schedule different activities. The model simulates the construction process in advance, allowing the team to visualize each stage and keep the project on track.”
Enhancing Performance Throughout the Lifecycle
After project completion, BIM continues to provide value. Each component in the design model includes metadata, as Mike described, such as supplier names, detailed contact information, replacement guides, and maintenance logs. Cory and Mike foresee predictive asset management becoming a crucial part of BIM usage. The model not only supports design and construction but also serves as a comprehensive management tool throughout the infrastructure’s entire lifecycle, promoting sustainable use.
Owner: Pennsylvania Water Company
Did You Know?
We are currently involved in the upgrade project for Victoria Station on the London Underground. The use of BIMtechnology earned us the Bentley “Innovation” award in the Railway and Transportation category. The CEO of Bentleypraised our outstanding talent and achievements in innovative use of information modeling, collaborative technologies, and best practices in sustainable infrastructure.
Original source: http://www.mottmac.com/deliveringspeedandcertainty/
Translation source: https://bimii.com/school/cases/2013-09-01/5533.html
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