2.2 Construction Phase
In the construction phase of the Huacang Cloud Computing Nanjing Smart Industry Park, BIM technology is extensively utilized to manage construction progress, simulate construction sequences, optimize construction organization, and calculate quantities. This application of BIM aims to control progress, ensure quality, and shorten the construction timeline.
During progress management, the construction team provides real-time plans and updates on actual progress. After review by the supervisory unit, the BIM model visually displays the current progress status. Real-time basic progress data—combining BIM model quantities with progress reports from construction work packages—is used to automatically calculate and analyze progress visually. For deeper scheme comparison, the design team conducts virtual installation guidance through 3D simulation of the mechanical and electrical BIM models, repeatedly comparing installation sequences to select the optimal construction approach.
Within the limited site conditions, efficient pre-construction planning is achieved by leveraging BIM for 3D layout and optimization of the construction plan. Construction organization optimization offers a fast, visually clear layout method that highlights spatial relationships between temporary facilities and machinery. It enables simulation of various work stages, risk elimination, and ensures adherence to the schedule. Using BIM simulation analysis for different construction stages, elements such as tower cranes, elevators, gates, prefabricated houses, pathways, and pedestrian and vehicle segregation are analyzed in advance to ensure rational layout and minimize impact on surrounding residents.
Advanced modeling techniques combined with powerful computing capabilities significantly enhance the calculation and analysis of fundamental project data, forming the foundation for meticulous park management. BIM engineering quantities and detailed auxiliary cost components are imported into cost software to generate budgets linked to the BIM model. Material quantities are automatically calculated and exported into detailed tables, enabling rapid cost estimation and real-time budget updates when integrated with budgeting software.
2.3 Operation and Maintenance Stage
The efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness of the Huacang Cloud Computing Nanjing Smart Industry Park largely depend on the management of various mechanical, electrical, and communication equipment within its individual buildings, as well as the complexity of its process systems. Effective operation and maintenance management through BIM technology is crucial for achieving green and energy-saving objectives in industrial parks. Establishing a unified system for information sharing, coordination, and linkage enables an integrated monitoring and management interface, providing comprehensive system information and facilitating optimized resource management.
The operation and maintenance functions are mainly categorized into infrastructure management and operation management. Infrastructure management encompasses energy consumption monitoring, 3D visualization, equipment monitoring, and alarm management.
Energy management includes energy monitoring, establishing standardized data protocols via the Energy Data Service Layer (EDS), energy budgeting, electricity billing, and implementing energy-saving measures. The goal is to standardize existing energy data, unify interfaces and specifications, complete data cleaning and auditing, and build a comprehensive energy management platform that supports multiple applications. This platform effectively guides energy conservation efforts to achieve economic benefits.
3D visualization supports dynamic environmental devices such as air conditioning UPS systems, distribution cabinets, various high- and low-voltage switchgear, diesel generators, temperature and humidity probes, and more. It also enables visual management of power supply, water supply, and wiring pipelines, allowing users to intuitively and quickly view real-time information about environmental equipment within a three-dimensional context. This visualization supports users in inspecting the space usage, load-bearing capacity, power distribution, and information access points within the data center, facilitating more efficient allocation of cabinet resources for equipment placement.
Within the operation and maintenance system, various devices—including cameras, intrusion alarms, access control systems, UPS units, batteries, air conditioners, temperature and humidity sensors, hydrogen sensors, and water immersion sensors—are connected via communication ports for centralized monitoring. Upon detecting any anomalies, the system automatically triggers alarms, sends notifications, and initiates control measures. The intelligent integration platform displays alarm information during system operation, allowing filtering by time, type, source, severity, and fault location. Alarm notifications include sound and light signals, as well as emails and SMS messages for specific events. Integration with the operation and maintenance management module enables automatic generation of work orders.
The BIM technology embedded in the operation and maintenance service management module supports the entire infrastructure lifecycle. It offers park management personnel tools such as a service desk, event management, problem management, configuration management, change management, and release management to streamline and standardize operations. Additionally, it provides services for operation management, including service level management, financial management, and availability management, delivering quantifiable data to service recipients. This robust data support enhances planning, capabilities, and operational support for enterprises.
Innovative Applications of 3BIM Technology
During the conceptual design phase, performance simulation of data centers stands out as a key innovative application of BIM technology at the Huacang Cloud Computing Nanjing Smart Industry Park. These simulations improve energy efficiency and environmental performance. Two methods were employed: ECOTECT daylight simulation analysis and CFD airflow organization simulation.
ECOTECT daylight simulation uses BIM-based software to model natural lighting effects from ventilation windows and other daylighting strategies. This approach optimizes natural lighting designs in civil defense areas, reducing reliance on conventional lighting and lowering energy consumption. By visualizing simulation results, designers can intuitively refine layouts or window placements to enhance overall lighting quality.
CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) airflow simulation models airflow patterns inside the data center to optimize temperature distribution and airflow organization. The IDC data center model, including rack placement and heights, is imported into CFD software. Parameters such as flooring, ventilation grilles, air conditioning systems, and ceiling return air are simulated to generate temperature, wind speed, and pressure fields under various air supply modes. This supports the design of hot and cold aisles and improves future maintenance and energy conservation efforts.
Conclusion
Data center industrial parks represent a new type of industrial development, with BIM technology introducing fresh technical requirements throughout design, construction, and operation stages. By integrating BIM across these phases, construction quality and schedule control are enhanced, and building information is seamlessly transferred to operation and maintenance models, providing vital data support for ongoing management.
Continued advancement in BIM technology fosters the establishment of efficient, low-energy construction systems that ensure smooth operations and contribute to building intelligent, eco-friendly data center industrial parks.
Looking ahead, data has become a critical resource, and data center industrial parks increasingly drive urban development. Capitalizing on BIM technology’s deep integration will help realize strategic transformations such as the “big data strategy” and “Digital China” initiatives, ultimately leading urban modernization and growth.
Source: Architecture and Culture, Issue 2, 2022, pp. 44-45
Authors: Zhou Tianfan, Zhang Haiyan, Wu Dajiang, Zhang Runze
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