Longxin Construction Group leverages BIM technology to enhance information management standards and drive innovation in project management. Their goal is to use advanced BIM technology to optimize project management models, implement business process reengineering, and establish a modern project management system. This approach aims to achieve project informatization and scientific decision-making, ultimately strengthening the company’s core competitiveness.
To achieve this, Longxin has formed a strategic partnership with Luban Software, collaborating on BIM services across multiple projects. This article focuses on the Renheng Binhai Center, a super five-star hotel with complex technical requirements, showcasing the significant value BIM technology brings to such high-level developments.
Project Challenges
The Zhuhai Renheng Binhai Center is a 47-story high-rise hotel, office, and commercial complex situated along Zhuhai’s coastline. Covering over 120,000 square meters, the project features a sailboat-inspired design, presenting considerable construction challenges. As a super five-star hotel, the Binhai Center faces “Three High” requirements: high floor-to-ceiling heights, demanding coordination and construction among multiple disciplines, and extensive structural and room function renovations.
Rendering of Turenheng Binhai Center
Introduction to the Value of BIM Applications
Identifying Drawing Issues
Building a BIM model allows early detection of drawing inconsistencies and engineering issues in a three-dimensional environment. The Luban BIM team identified numerous drawing problems through modeling different specialties in Section A of the Binhai Center. As of the end of May, 48 civil engineering issues were discovered, providing a solid foundation for drawing reviews.
For example, the elevation of an 800 × 450 reserved hole on the 3rd and 4th floors remains undetermined and is temporarily placed 3 meters above the floor, pending confirmation from Party A. During modeling of the fourth-floor main structure, a discrepancy was found: the structural floor height was 6800 mm, while the installation drawing indicated 5400 mm. This prevented errors in installation detailing. Additionally, a 1380 mm height difference between two plates at axis 6-7/C on the 4th floor was found to be unreasonable given the limited height of KL36 beams, exposing cantilever issues with L30 beams.
Collision Detection
By integrating BIM models from all disciplines and utilizing Luban’s cloud-based collision detection system, spatial conflicts can be identified early. Automated collision reports assist in design optimization, significantly shortening the cycle of issue discovery, discussion, modification, and verification. This reduces risks of costly rework during construction. The Luban BIM team performed collision checks on all floors, identifying an average of nearly 200 approved clashes per floor.
Accurate Positioning of Reserved Holes
To enhance structural construction quality, BIM technology precisely locates reserved holes on concrete elements before construction. This visual information is shared with the team to prevent secondary drilling and structural damage.
In April 2014, reserved holes were positioned on the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 5th mezzanine, 7th to 14th, and 36th floors, averaging 14 holes per floor.
Comprehensive Pipeline Optimization
Pipeline comprehensive balancing is a construction management technique applied to mechanical and electrical installation projects. It involves coordinating pipelines across HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and building intelligence systems. In March 2014, multiple cloud-based collision checks were conducted to detect conflicts. Subsequently, the 3D BIM model was adjusted and optimized, balancing priorities across disciplines and construction plans. The finalized model exports 2D plans and sectional views to guide on-site work.
The comprehensive pipeline optimization on the 2nd floor of Section A was completed in three working days through collaboration between Luban BIM consultants and project engineers, including coordination with Party A and design teams. The results received unanimous approval.
Before the comprehensive pipeline diagram
After pipeline integration
Sectional view
Comprehensive Visualization and Walkthroughs
Using the optimized 3D pipeline model, detailed construction plans and simulations were developed to highlight critical and challenging construction areas. These animations enable bid evaluators and non-engineering stakeholders to understand construction complexities, improving communication and helping the team visualize pipeline routing post-construction.
Visual roaming of images
Tall Formwork Identification
Luban BIM technology enables quick identification of large and tall formwork components by setting specific criteria. Through 3D visualization, construction personnel can clearly see the location and relationship of these components. A total of 372 tall formwork components were identified on floors 1 to 3.
Tall formwork area (yellow components)
Clear Height Inspection
On the fifth floor between axes C and D, various pipelines and cable trays were analyzed. The lowest installation elevation was found to be 2.5 meters, but considering finishes and fixtures, the final clearance would be less than 2.4 meters—falling short of the high-end decoration requirement of over 4 meters. This issue was confirmed by multiple parties, preventing construction losses of nearly 1800 square meters across five floors.
5th floor drawing issue
Quality and Safety Mobile Applications
The iBan app integrates mobile device cameras with BIM models for enhanced on-site visual management. During construction, Luban BIM’s mobile terminal collects data, annotates location and problem details, and links them to BIM models or drawings in real time. This visualization of quality defects and safety hazards allows managers to precisely track issues, enabling timely corrective actions and ensuring smooth construction progress.
View on-site quality and safety issues in Figure BE
3D Simulation of Lifting Plans
To meet the requirements of Longxin Jiangsu Electromechanical, the Luban BIM team developed a 3D BIM model of the lifting platform, enabling clear visualization and simulation of the lifting plan.
Figure 24 Equipment lifting platform on the 24th floor
Real-Time Engineering Quantities
Since March 2014, the Luban BIM team has completed modeling for civil engineering and steel reinforcement disciplines, submitting engineering quantity data aligned with construction progress. Detailed data by zone supports on-site management needs. After training project managers on system operation, authorized personnel can access updated quantity data anytime, facilitating informed decision-making throughout the project.
Hierarchical partitioning diagram providing reference data for engineering quantities (data processed)
Comparing Calculations
BIM technology enables dynamic cost analysis by comparing actual material usage with model-based estimates. Any discrepancies are promptly identified, allowing project managers to investigate causes and prevent similar issues in future phases. This process enhances control and overall project management quality.
Comparison between Budget and Actual Cost Calculation
5D Cost Management and Schedule Monitoring
By integrating project schedules into the BIM model and linking costs, monthly or even daily project expenses can be tracked, achieving effective 5D cost management. Additionally, visual model comparisons highlight schedule progress, with red indicating delays and green showing ahead-of-schedule areas. This 3D visualization allows real-time monitoring from anywhere, facilitating problem identification and schedule adherence.
Figure 5D Cost Management and Project Progress Monitoring
Data Management
Engineering archives contain critical documentation generated throughout the project lifecycle, including text, drawings, photos, and audio-visual materials. The consulting team linked these documents to BIM models to support future operation and maintenance phases. For example, quality inspection reports and acceptance forms for structural components can be accessed directly through the model.
Data on components linked to model attachments
BIM Training Services
Luban BIM’s consulting services emphasize education. Experienced on-site managers live alongside project teams, providing hands-on training in software applications and guiding BIM implementation throughout construction. This ensures personnel can independently solve practical problems using BIM tools after consultants depart. Through pilot projects, enterprises cultivate BIM talent, integrate BIM with existing processes, and establish their own BIM systems.
Since inception, Luban BIM consultants have developed a detailed training program, delivering over 10 centralized sessions to nearly 100 construction team members. Participants demonstrate high enthusiasm and commitment, engaging actively during and after training. As a result, all trainees have mastered basic modeling skills and developed a BIM-oriented mindset.
Customer Reviews
Luban BIM technology facilitates collaborative decision-making on comprehensive pipeline plans, improving communication among disciplines. It overcomes challenges related to interpreting 2D drawings and visualizing 3D pipeline layouts, reducing workload and enhancing plan efficiency.
— Chief Engineer of Party A at Binhai Center
The Luban BIM system requires modest computer resources, making it accessible to all project managers. Its user-friendly interface and strong compatibility allow seamless integration with outputs from other BIM software, guiding on-site construction and supporting standardized management.
— Mechanical and Electrical Engineer at Binhai Center
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