Set to become India’s longest expressway, the Narmada Expressway is 1,350 kilometers long and features long-span bridges and tunnels passing through undulating terrain, rivers, and cities, compounded by challenging climate conditions. LN Malviya bid on the project and initially used conventional methods for conceptual design. However, they quickly realized they needed advanced 3D modeling and analysis technology to optimize alignment and geometry of the long-span bridge and high-speed highway design.

They selected OpenRoads Designer to model roadway alignment, and OpenBridge and STAAD to model the bridge structure and analyze hundreds of load combinations, ensuring the bridge could resist high water currents and wind pressure. Bentley’s applications improved overall design efficiency by 25% and boosted productivity by 40%, reducing bridge design time by 200 hours and saving costs and resource hours. The integrated solution provided accurate geometric calculations and streamlined coordination, facilitating clear communication of design intent and technical management throughout the project development stage. 

Project Playbook: OpenBridge, OpenRoads Designer, STAAD

National Highways Authority of India is initiating construction of an outer ring road in Lucknow to reduce the city’s traffic congestion and travel times. The project stretches 32.89 kilometers and features two railways over bridges, two major bridges, three flyovers, and 13 underpasses. Aartav Engineering is responsible for designing the project and faced challenges in delivering a safe, economical design, which was compounded by a short construction schedule.

Already familiar with STAAD, they selected the application based on its proven capabilities for accurate loading prediction and compliance with Indian design codes. Using STAAD for this project reduced design time by almost 11% and costs by almost 8%. Bentley’s software enabled real-time design verification, eliminating redundant data conversions, enabling them to complete the project on time while saving natural resources and reducing the carbon footprint. 

Project Playbook: STAAD

The Shitan Xiangjiang Grand Bridge will improve transportation connections in Hunan. Changsa BIMcloud Information Technology is working to implement a BIM methodology for digital construction management. They faced technical, environmental, and coordination challenges, compounded by a tight construction schedule. Third-party modeling software proved incapable of building the complex models and coordinating the multiple processes and disciplines. Therefore, they needed integrated BIM and reality modeling technology.

They selected Bentley applications to create a digital construction management platform, which integrated the reality mesh with roadway and bridge structure models and accurately simulated the construction process. The applications transformed traditional paper construction methods into intelligent digital construction workflows that improved data sharing, multidiscipline coordination, and safety. The BIM-based solution minimized rework to save labor and material costs, which shortened the construction schedule, as well as allowed the team to use the models throughout operations and maintenance to achieve full-lifecycle BIM application. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture, LumenRT, MicroStation, OpenBridge Modeler, OpenRoads Designer

The Pacific Connection 2 project is part of a road initiative connecting Medellin with supply and production centers in Colombia’s coffee-growing region and the Cauca Valley. The project required building two new bridges, one in each direction, over the Cauca River. Pedelta was commissioned to design the bridge structures and provide technical supervision. They faced site challenges due to strong winds affecting concrete curing, as well as landsides restricting site access. Therefore, Pedelta needed advanced bridge modeling software to generate a digital twin.

They selected OpenBridge Designer to model and analyze the bridge structure and define the construction process. With Bentley’s application, they resolved the concrete curing issues, obtaining the real value of the concrete’s elastic limits. Using the digital twin, they analyzed and verified optimal structural loads in accordance with current national bridge design codes and simulated the construction process, anticipating any setbacks and correcting them before they occurred on site. 

Project Playbook: OpenBridge Designer

The Autopista al Mar 1 project will connect Medellin with important trade hubs in the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, and along the Magdalena River. Pedelta was commissioned to design a new bridge over the Cauca River and provide technical supervision. The bridge is in a seismic zone and the length of its central span is dictated by the width of the river, resulting in imbalanced cantilever sections. To overcome these challenges and meet regulatory requirements, Pedelta needed advanced bridge modeling to generate a digital twin.

They selected OpenBridge Designer to model and analyze the bridge structure and define the construction process. They resolved the structural cantilever imbalance and reduced the seismic demand to achieve optimal material use. Using the digital twin, they analyzed and verified optimal structural loads in accordance with current national bridge design codes and simulated the construction process, which helped them anticipate any setbacks and correct them before they occurred on site. 

Project Playbook: OpenBridge Designer

With the population and vehicle volume growing in Jakarta and Bekasi, the Becakayu 2AU toll road will improve mobilization between the two cities, boosting economic development. Located amid residential areas and numerous utilities, the project presented site challenges and a complex steel box arch girder bridge structure. PT Waskita was responsible for the design and construction, while ensuring quality compliance and meeting owner requirements for monitoring all project works. They initially implemented conventional design methods but realized they needed a 3D collaborative digital solution.

They selected Bentley applications for reality modeling, bridge design verification, and visual construction scheduling. The integrated digital solution shortened the construction schedule and reduced risks of accidents and damage to nearby utilities and residences by IDR 10 billion. By automating previous manual processes, they reduced calculation errors for the bridge by approximately 20%, which will save approximately IDR 2 trillion. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture, OpenBridge Designer, OpenRoads Designer, PLAXIS, SYNCHRO 4D

The SG5 project of the Beijing-Xiong’an Highway is a 6.83-kilometer expressway featuring the construction of two large-scale bridges that comprise 99.5% of the entire route. The project is a key provincial highway located along arable land that is surrounded by populous villages and dense pipeline networks, facing a tight timeline and strict environmental protection requirements. To address these challenges, CCCC Third Highway Engineering needed advanced BIM technology to establish a collaborative digital modeling and construction management platform.

Already familiar with Bentley applications, they selected MicroStation and OpenRoads Designer to create a 3D component library for parametric modeling of the bridge structures and establish a connected data environment for sharing data and models among the multiple disciplines. Working in a digitally coordinated platform, they modeled the 5,040-meter Langouwa Bridge in three days. Through visual construction management, they shortened the construction period by 90 days, reduced material waste by 30%, and saved CNY 15 million in costs.

Project Playbook: MicroStation, OpenRoads Designer, ProStructures

The Xiangluzhou Bridge is a single-tower, cable-stayed bridge in Hunan province that will strengthen the traffic link east and west of the Xiangjiang River. The bridge features a large river crossing span, with the main line extending 3.24 kilometers. Hunan Provincial Communications Planning, Survey and Design was responsible for the project’s design. They faced technical and coordination challenges compounded by a tight schedule and high landscape and flood control requirements. Recognizing that traditional design methods would not suffice, they needed integrated BIM technology to overcome the project challenges.

They selected OpenRoads ConceptStation for conceptual modeling and OpenRoads Designer for preliminary and construction drawing design. Using MicroStation and LumenRT for model integration and visualization, they identified 45 clashes and avoided 12 design changes to save CNY 3 million. Bentley’s BIM solution facilitated real-time collaboration in a unified platform, streamlining workflows, which is expected to save CNY 1 million in costs. 

Project Playbook: LumenRT, MicroStation, OpenRoads ConceptStation, OpenRoads Designer

Part of New Taipei City’s Rapid Transit System, the Ankeng light rail metro is a large-scale construction project featuring the Anxin steel bridge, providing a new landmark for the city. The entire project presented complicated multidiscipline design, engineering, and construction processes. The bridge is the longest track bridge in the territory, with the main bridge tower spanning 502 meters. The structure is comprised of 11,280 tons of steel plates and 243 tons of pre-stressed steel cables. Taiwan BIM Technology sought an integrated BIM solution to streamline design and construction works.

They used Bentley applications to establish a connected data environment and coordinate modeling, analysis, and construction simulation, ultimately integrating all models into an iModel for collaborative, visual design review. The team saved hundreds of resource hours and detected potential clashes prior to construction, reducing overall construction costs. The interoperability allows for integration with electromechanical turnkey contractors. 

Project Playbook: ContextCapture, LumenRT, MicroStation, Navigator, OpenBridge Modeler, OpenBuildings, OpenRail Designer, ProjectWise 365