Disney has set the highest standards in construction quality and world-class project management within the engineering sector. Shanghai Manxi DI (Deep Insight) was privileged to collaborate with China Construction Steel Structure on BIM applications for engineering practices. I am excited to share these valuable experiences with you.
Overview of Primavera 6.0 Application
Primavera 6.0, commonly known as P6, is a project management software originally developed by Primavera Corporation in the United States. Acquired by ORACLE Corporation in 2008, it is now widely recognized as Oracle Primavera P6.
P6 is a highly flexible and open enterprise-level project management system built on robust Oracle and MS SQL Server relational databases, utilizing the latest IT technologies. It focuses on planning, collaboration, monitoring, control, and data accumulation, representing a practical evolution of project management theory into technology.
Key Functions of P6 Software
- Project Scope Management
Includes EPS, OBS, WBS, and various classification codes. - Project Time Management
Activity definition, sequencing, duration estimation, schedule planning, and control. - Project Cost Management
Resource planning, cost estimation, budgeting, and cost control. - Project Human Resource Management
Organizational planning, personnel acquisition, and team building. - Project Communication Management
Communication planning, information transmission, performance reporting, and project closure. - Project Risk Management
Risk identification, qualitative and quantitative analysis, response planning, and monitoring. - Project Procurement Management
Preparation of procurement and inquiry plans.
Key Terminology:
OBS: Organizational Breakdown Structure – Enterprise Organizational Structure
EPS: Enterprise Project Structure
WBS: Work Breakdown Structure – Hierarchical Task Structure
Advantages of P6 Software
Application of P6 in Projects
The Disney project owner utilizes PMCS for synchronous project management both online and offline. This means all contractor submissions, owner-issued instructions, and changes are finalized online through PMCS and simultaneously transmitted in hard copy. PMCS reviews and confirms plans via the XRE file generated by P6, establishing P6 as the essential software for management.
Owner and Management Companies:
They develop and track internal control plans during project implementation, along with project tracking plans. These are created by planning engineers based on key milestones and cover design drawings, construction progress, supply schedules, and equipment installations.
Construction Unit:
Responsible for the overall project schedule, regional construction timelines, material procurement, subcontracting plans, proposal submissions, detailed design (including BIM workflow), and rush schedules.
The China Construction Steel Structure Project Department has fully leveraged P6 to manage steel structure scheduling, including detailed design, processing, fabrication, installation, and MOCK-UP planning.
P6 Application Insights
When preparing, controlling, and updating steel structure project schedules, the difference between P6 and Microsoft Project is subtle, though P6 offers some advantages:
- The colorful interface and output views in P6 clearly display the hierarchical relationships of tasks.
- The logical relationships between tasks can be directly modified using drag-and-drop, deletion, and other intuitive operations, with text updating automatically.
- P6 automatically calculates the duration for each task once logical dependencies and initial project timelines are set.
- P6 allows easy reopening and revisiting of previously prepared plans.
- P6 supports data conversion with Microsoft Project, Excel, and other software.
- P6 does not require frequent manual saving and is resilient to unexpected shutdowns, preventing data loss.
Summary of BIM Application
The Disney project is divided into five core zones: the Main Entrance and Garden, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Treasure Cove, and Adventure Isle. China Construction Steel Structure was responsible for steel structure design, fabrication, and installation in the Main Entrance and Garden areas.
Each zone features unique characteristics and is managed by distinct design and construction teams. The complex underground pipeline network necessitates a comprehensive model to ensure effective control.
The Main Entrance and Garden area is subdivided into the Entrance and Garden sections, comprising 21 distinct units. These units are closely interconnected, each independently designed, requiring integrated inspections, especially regarding underground pipeline layouts.
The structural complexity and frequent revisions posed significant challenges. China Construction Steel Structure’s nine steel structure units experienced 31 drawing revisions and 552 design modifications, including 68 steel structure changes. As a result, the blueprints often failed to meet on-site construction demands.
Such challenges necessitated holistic coordination and resolution through BIM models.
The BIM team comprised mechanical and electrical, decoration, civil engineering, landscape architecture, and steel structure experts, with integration led by the general contractor’s BIM team to produce the final physical building information model.
Local modeling and modifications utilized Navisworks and Revit software for BIM coordination.
Navisworks:
This tool visualizes, simulates, and analyzes 3D design models in various formats, enabling all project stakeholders to reliably integrate, share, and review detailed designs. It plays a central role in BIM workflows.
Revit (Steel Structure Version of “Tekla”):
Built specifically for BIM, Revit assists architects in design, construction, and maintenance, enhancing quality and energy efficiency.
BIM Model
Mickey Avenue and Garden Road at the three-way intersection
EG201 Ticket Hall
EG208 – Dumbo
EG204 – Candy House and Photo Studio
EG204 – Candy House and Photo Studio
EG206 – Garden Tavern
EG221 – Building on the left side of the entrance
EG222 – Entrance Building
BIM Steel Structure Work
Steel structures serve as the main framework of buildings and play an essential role in BIM integration. After geodetic coordinates and positioning axes are established, the steel structure model acts as the foundational imported model, which is then integrated with other models.
Tekla is currently the most widely used software for steel structure detailed design. It supports exporting models as IFC files, which can be directly imported into Navisworks and Revit for BIM integration.
Due to performance issues such as slow moving and selecting large model quantities and occasional component losses in Revit, the BIM integration team must provide precise coordinate points and rotation angles during export from Tekla. This ensures accurate one-time import and seamless modeling.
BIM Collision Check
Summary
The Disney project, spanning domestic construction with overseas design and management, implements comprehensive information technology project management across owners, management companies, design teams, and construction units. As a subcontractor, we are not the originators of the IT investments but have had the opportunity to learn and adopt them.
The use of P6 and BIM represents just one facet of this broader information management approach. The ultimate value of BIM lies in enhancing management by integrating advanced technology into day-to-day operations.
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