About the Publication

The fi

rst research program of

RYM Oy created total

l

y new

procedures and busi

ness model

s

for the real

estate, constructi

on

and i

nfra sectors.

The new modes a

The new modes are user-centred

and supported by product

model

-based data management

over the enti

re l

i

fe cycl

e of the

real

estate, i

nfrastructures and

communi

ti

es i

n questi

on.

The adop

The adopti

on of new busi

ness

processes al

l

ows a si

gni

fi

cant

i

ncrease i

n producti

vi

ty and

qual

i

ty.

Bui

l

t

Envi

r

onment

Pr

ocess

Re-

Engi

neer

i

ng

PRE

Resul

ts Report

Go to

rymreport.com/pre

for the onl

i

ne

versi

on

About the Publication

PRE Results Report

RYM Oy

Unioninkatu 14, 4th floor

FI-00130 Helsinki, FINLAND

Tel. +358 40 514 6181

Email: anssi.salonen(at)rym.fi

Website: http://rym.fi

Copyright 2014 RYM Oy

All rights reserved

PRE Results Report

Table of Contents

4 About PRE

5 Facts and Figures

7 PRE Partners

8 Scientific International Evaluation

15 Key Results of the PRE Program From the Industry’s Point of View

19 Self-Assessment

20 Success Stories

38 Work Packages

54 Analysis of the Results

60

Results Cards

20

6

Publications

About PRE

BIM is Revolutionizing Construction Practices

with Finland Leading the Way

The just finished PRE program of RYM Oy, the SHOK company for the built

environment, strengthens Finland’s position as the global leader in BIM

(Building Information Management) research and introduction. BIM can

improve construction quality, productivity and customer service radically.

The PRE (Built Environment Process Re-Engineering) program carried out in

2010–2014 involved 37 companies and 6 research institutes. With support from Tekes,

they invested a total of about € 21.8 million in the development of new BIM (Building

Information Management) based procedures and business models.

Significant results were achieved in the development of technologies and concepts

supporting open BIM-based cooperation models and distributed management and

sharing of information. The globally pioneering research by Tekla and Aalto University

was made in this field of development.

Requirements, instructions and a data transfer format for modeling were created for

the infrastructure sector, all of which together speed up the breakthrough of BIM.

BIM-based tools and processes were also developed and tested in practice which can

improve supply chain management and work safety considerably in every kind of

construction processes.

An interactive operational model based on ”knotworking” was created in cooperation

with the Institute of Behavioural Sciences at University of Helsinki and the SimLab of

Aalto University to enable effective utilization of BIM at the most important phases of

construction management, design and building.

BIM allows more effective land use planning, visualization of design solutions and

zoning. The BIMCITY research projects included various city modeling experiments and

used augmented reality tools in the visualization of design alternatives.

Mobile work has transformed the principles and practices of work environment

management. The NewWoW work package studied the impacts of the change and

created new tools for improved efficiency and productivity of offices. The

driver company of the work package, Rapal Oy, is taking advantage of this cutting-edge

know-how in its rapidly growing US subsidiary.

The program consists of six thematic work packages (driver company in

parentheses):

1.

Model Nova

– Use of BIM during property´s life cycle from the owner´s

perspective (Senate Properties)

2.

NewWOW

– Changing nature and requirements of knowledge work and their

impact on management of an organization and spaces (Rapal Oy)

3.

BIMCON

– BIM-based product data management in the delivery chain of

industrialized building (Skanska Oy)

4.

DRUM

- Entity data models and standards (Tekla Oyj)

5.

Infra FINBIM

– Future innovation-based delivery chain of the infra sector (VR

Track Oy)

6.

BIMCity

– Platform for dissemination, evaluation and development of

community-level built environment digital models (FCG Oy)

Facts and Figures

Public Funding

Cost Distribution by Work Package

PRE Results Report

PRE Partners

Companies

Arkkitehtitoimisto Perko Oy

AX-Konsultit Oy

CGI Oy

Consolis Technology Oy Ab

Destia Oy

FCG Finnish Consulting Group Oy

Finnmap Consulting Oy

Finnmap Infra Oy

Granlund Oy

ISS Palvelut Oy

Lemminkäinen Oyj

Liikennevirasto

Micro Aided Design Oy

NCC Rakennus Oy

NCC Roads Oy

Parma Oy

Progman Oy

Pöyry CM Oy

Pöyry Finland Oy

Rakennustieto Oy

Ramboll Finland Oy

Rapal Oy

Ruukki Construction Oy

Saint-Cobain Weber Oy Ab

Senaatti-kiinteistöt

Sito Oy

Skanska Oy

Solibri Oy

SRV Yhtiöt Oyj

Tekla Oyj

Terramare Oy

Tietoa Finland Oy

Vianova Systems Finland Oy

VR Track Oy

WSP Finland Oy

YIT Rakennus Oy

Research Partners

Aalto-korkeakoulusäätiö

Helsingin yliopisto

Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu Oy

Oulun yliopisto

Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT

TTY-Säätiö

PRE Results Report

Arto Kiviniemi

Professor, University of

Liverpool

Scientific International Evaluation

Summary

The just finished PRE program of RYM Oy, the SHOK company for the built environment,

strengthens Finland’s position as the global leader in BIM research and introduction.

BIM can improve construction quality, productivity and customer service radically.

The PRE (Built Environment Process Re-Engineering) program carried out in 2010–2014

involved 37 companies and 6 research institutes. With support from Tekes, they

invested a total of about €21.8 million in the development of new BIM (Building

Information Management)based procedures and business models.

“

PRE strengthens Finland’s position as the global leader in BIM

research and introduction

The most significant results from the viewpoint of international research were achieved

in the Model Nova work package coordinated by Senate Properties. An interactive

operational model based on ”knotworking” was created in cooperation with the

Institute of Behavioural Sciences at University of Helsinki and the SimLab of Aalto

University to enable effective utilization of BIM at the most important phases of

construction management, design and building.

Internationally notable is also the DRUM concept developed for distributed data

management and information interchange by Tekla and Aalto University. The globally

pioneering research of Tekla has made it the leader in international Open BIM

development.

The most significant PRE results nationally were attained in promoting the introduction

of BIM in the infrastructure sector. The InfraModel format for open data exchange was

developed in Finland for that purpose and general infrastructure sector BIM

requirements are under preparation.

Utilization of BIM in property use and maintenance has been studied little in the PRE

program and generally in BIM studies across the world. Since the potential benefits are

very big, it would be very useful to start strong research program in an Asset

Information Management.

Introduction

PRE (Built Environment Process Re-engineering) was the first research programme of

RYM Oy in 2010-2013. Its aim is to create totally new procedures and business models

for the real estate, construction and infra sectors. They will be more user-centred and

supported by product model-based data management over the entire life cycle of the

real estate, infrastructures and communities in question. The adoption of new business

processes allows a significant increase in productivity and quality.

The PRE programme consisted of 6 work packages each led by an industrial partner:

WP1 Model Nova – Use of BIM during property's life cycle from the owner's

perspective, lead Senate Properties

WP2 NewWOW – Changing nature and requirements of knowledge work and their

impact on management of an organization and spaces, lead Rapal Oy

WP3 BIMCON – BIM-based product data management in the delivery chain of

industrialized building, lead Skanska Oy

WP4 DRUM - Entity data models and standards, lead Tekla Oyj

PRE Results Report

community-level built environment digital models, lead FCG Oy

I was asked to evaluate the results from the international perspective; how well has the

programme achieved its aims in the global context, which are the most important

results of the programme and which are issues where I see potential for improvements

in the future research activities and programmes.

Evaluation method and limitations

The evaluation is based on several sources: 1) Work package presentations in the PRE

Result Seminar 18th November 2013 in Finland, 2) result cards, i.e. short result reports

of each project in each work package and programme web site[1], 3) self evaluation

report of the work packages, 4) evaluation report of the research, practical and

knowledge contributions, 5) list of publications, and 6) a short Google Scholar study of

the visibility and impact of the publications in PRE programme, finalised on 6th June

2014.

My own professional background is in architectural design and my main research

competence is related to integrated building information modelling (BIM). In addition, I

have been personally interacting with some projects in WP1, WP3 and WP4, which

naturally has given me more insights of those projects. However, I believe that the

interactions reflect rather the international activity and visibility of those projects than

just my personal interest areas. Nevertheless, these limitations should be noted when

interpreting this report.

Observations and comments of work packages

WP1 Model Nova – Use of BIM during property's life cycle from the owner's

perspective

In the Model Nova work package (New Business Model based on Process Network and

Building Information Modeling) the potential of BIM has been studied from the

standpoints of behavioural sciences and business processes. Benefits are sought for

the entire life cycle of the built environment and across the value network.

In general this Model Nova package is in my opinion clearly the best work package of

the PRE programme in the international research viewpoint. All in all this work package

has published almost 50 % of all publications of the programme and 80% of the journal

articles.

“

Model Nova package is in my opinion clearly the best work package of

the PRE programme in the international research viewpoint.

"Knotworking" and "BIM Meets Social Sciences" themes in the Model Nova work

package has produced excellent results and the Finnish research in these areas,

especially CRADLE in Helsinki University and SIMlab in Aalto University, is in the

international forefront. This is a truly multidisciplinary theme creating new insights of

the drivers, barriers and impacts of the changes in technology and business

environment in the AECOO (Architectural, Engineering, Construction and Owning &

Operation) industry.

There has already been two international workshops around the theme "BIM Meets

Social Sciences”. In addition Aalto University's SIMlab has collaborated with Stanford

University's CIFE (Center for Integrated Facility Engineering) which is clearly one of the

leading research institute in this research area.

WP2 NewWOW – Changing nature and requirements of knowledge work and

their impact on management of an organization and spaces

The NewWoW (New Ways of Working) work package is aimed at providing

understanding of the changing nature and demands of knowledge work and their

impacts on facility management and productivity of organisations. New work space

solutions have been developed using BIM in response to the increasing interactiveness

and project nature of knowledge work.

The central themes were 1) demands of work and changes in it, 2) impact of ways of

working and work space arrangements on productivity and sustainable development,

and 3) use of BIM in management that support new ways of working."

WP2 is very different in almost all aspects compared to all other work packages. Based

on the available information it seems that WP2 concentrated quite strongly to direct

business development of the participating companies.

“

NewWoW is aimed at providing understanding of the changing nature

and demands of knowledge work

WP2 has very few projects and based on the result cards it has not published very

actively; 4 conference papers and 3 book chapters. On the positive side, all publications

are in English and this is the only WP that has written chapters on books, which are

academically stronger merits than conference papers. In addition, the collaboration

with the Stanford University (Renate Fruchter) is an indication of good international

level in project #5 (The success of a new concept to support distributed work – the

office of choice).

WP3 BIMCON – BIM-based product data management in the delivery chain of

industrialized building

The aim of the BIMCON work package was to create a comprehensive product data

management system for industrialised building based on the use of BIM in the

integration and management of data of the parties to the supply chain. The goal was to

improve the organisation of the operational process of construction which will increase

the productivity and profitability of supply chains.

WP3 continues the long and strong Finnish research and development efforts related to

the use of BIM in construction. It has not opened any totally new research issues, but

continued to gain new knowledge in the impacts of BIM in constructability, productivity,

safety, sustainability and supply chain management.

“

...new knowledge in the impacts of BIM in constructability,

productivity, safety, sustainability and supply chain management

The international collaborators have been Georgia Tech and Brescia University, from

which the former is without doubt one of the globally leading research institutes in BIM

area and the collaboration with them indicates high academic quality.

WP4 DRUM - Entity data models and standards

The aim of the DRUM (Distributed transactional BIM) work package was to develop

transaction-based data transfer methods and technology that enable utilisation of BIM

in actual building processes. The key themes dealt with include software architecture

that supports transaction-based data management, transaction distribution systems

and application interfaces.

"Semantic Linking of Building Information Models" and the work related to it has been

from the technical viewpoint a refreshing new proposal to solve the model server

problems currently preventing efficient sharing of BIM data. Using common web

technologies would bring much more interest and potential resources in the research

and commercial BIM development.

One of WP4 presentations, "Web-based BIM – distributed sharing and utilization of

building information", in the PRE programme Result Seminar in November 2013 was in

my opinion the best presentation in the event. The research provided a fresh view into

solving current technical problems in the centralised model server development. In

addition, the work did not start from scratch but was built on the previous work in the

“

Using common web technologies would bring much more interest and

potential resources in the research and commercial BIM development

This work in the cross-model linkage using distributed web technologies has already led

into two international LDAC (Linked Data in Architecture and Construction) workshops

and strongly growing international interest and collaboration. In addition, as a part of

WP4 Tekla has taken a leading role in the international development of Open BIM and

collaboration platforms for the industry.

WP5 Infra FINBIM – Future innovation-based delivery chain of the infra sector

The vision of the Infra FINBIM work package was that in 2014 the big infrastructure

owners will order only BIM-based service. The aim was systemic change where

traditional sequential thinking is replaced by intelligent BIM-based service production

that considers the entire life cycle and all sub-areas, actors and functions.

The Infra FINBIM work package is an outstanding example of the radical change in the

markets. Efficiency and productivity can be increased significantly when highly

advanced technology is exploited fully. Participation of the biggest infra client (Traffic

Agency) and leading sector companies in the research program created sufficient

critical mass for bringing about a change in the sector.

“

An outstanding example of the radical change in the markets

WP5 has really changed the way the Finnish infra-sector collaborates, not only in the

research and development, but also in their work practises. In my opinion WP5 has

created on the national level the most important results of the PRE programme both in

the short and long term. However, compared to the national impact it has only limited

international merit.

WP6 BIMCity – Platform for dissemination, evaluation and development of

community-level built environment digital models

BIMCity (Simulation platform for IFC based technologies and solutions) aimed at 1)

defining and creating a common functional environment for land use and construction

databases, 2) establishing information model as a way of conduct in land use planning

(e.g. building inspection, planning, interaction with concerned parties), 3) improving

exchange of information between different sectors of planning and thus accelerating

processes concerning land use, and 4) developing an open environment for business

concepts serving land use and construction.

Work in BIMCity was strongly based on pilot projects, which represent different levels of

planning starting from regional dimensions through city plans down to construction of

individual buildings, as well as interaction and data exchange between these levels."

“

BIMCity was strongly based on pilot projects, which represent

different levels of planning

The documented goals of WP6 are somewhat more open than in the other work

packages. The publications include relatively many "non-traditional" documents, i.e.

videos in YouTube and other platforms, but also a reasonable amount traditional

conference papers. There is also one master's thesis. However, as stated later in this

report, lack of journal publications is a general short-coming in the whole PRE

programme. International collaboration or participation in the development of

international standards would have been extremely important.

General observations of the PRE programme

The programme team has classified the impacts of the projects into four categories:

1. What is the behavioural change of end users (human/organizations)?

2. What is the resulting systemic change in customer interface and value network?

3. How the latest technologies foster the change of the whole branch's business

paradigm?

4. What is the change of the business models of Built Environment?

The categorisation was done by the PRE management team for all 58 projects in the

PRE programme. As Figure 1 indicates the work packages have quite clear differences in

their focus, which indicates good programme structure. In total the main focus of the

PRE programme is slightly in #3 (How the latest technologies foster the change of the

whole branch's business paradigm?) which is recognised in 50% of all projects. The

second emphasis is in #2 (What is the resulting systemic change in customer interface

and value network?) which is recognised in 41% of all projects.

All aspects are naturally important, but my opinion, supported by the international

interest in WP1 results, is that the social science and value network aspects of BIM need

more emphasis in the further research.

Figure 1: Impact categories of projects by work package

Figure 2: PRE programme results by project phase

Figure 2 represents the results of the PRE programme categorised by lifecycle phases.

Almost half of the results are related to design phases (47.3%) and only 4% are related

to the use and maintenance. This indicates the persistent problem that has been in the

global BIM research for almost for two decades; BIM is still seen as a technology for

not interested in participating in the research and development efforts in this area. It

would be extremely important to move from BIM (Building Information Modelling) to

AIM (Asset Information Management) and focus the future research and development

efforts in this area.

Publications and citations

Figure 3: Distribution by publication language and type, comparison of list of

publications and result cards

In total the projects in the PRE programme have produced 77...87 publications

depending on the source. Majority of the publications are conference papers (31...27),

only relatively few are journal articles (5) and book chapters (3), which can be

considered as a short-coming in the programme in the international comparison.

Table 1: Total number of publications, comparison of list of publications and result

cards

I also tested several searches using Google Scholar looking for publications which were

done in the work packages of PRE programme. This search resulted in total 154 hits,

from which only 38 were actually related to the PRE programme. The findings were

about 50% of the publications listed in the result cards or list of publications. From

these articles majority, 23 articles were written in Finnish (60.5%) and 15 in English

(39.5%).

The most cited articles in the Google Scholar search were:

Kerosuo Hannele, Miettinen Reijo, Mäki Tarja, Paavola Sami, Korpela Jenni and

Rantala Teija (2012) Expanding uses of building information modeling in life-cycle

construction projects. Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and

Rehabilitation, Volume 41, Supplement 1, pages 114-119. 9 citations (WP1)

Abdullah Haris, Rinne Mikko, Törmä Seppo and Nuutila Esko (2012) Efficient

matching of SPARQL subscriptions using Rete. Proceedings of the 27th Annual ACM

Symposium on Applied Computing, pages 372-377. 9 citations (Partially

supported from PRE programme, WP4)

Rinne Mikko, Törmä Seppo and Nuutila Esko (2012) SPARQL-Based Applications for

RDF-Encoded Sensor Data. In the proceeding of 5th International Workshop on

Semantic Sensor Networks. 7 citations (Partially supported from PRE programme,

WP4)

The Google Scholar findings support my personal opinion that internationally the two

most important work packages in the PRE programme have been WP1 Model Nova and

WP4 DRUM. In WP1 the internationally most interesting results are related to the

Knotworking concept and "BIM Meets Social Sciences" theme and in WP4 to the

Semantic Linking of Building Information Models.

The results of the Google Scholar search are in clear contradiction with the information

in the result cards and list of publications. It seems that about 50 % publications have

not acknowledged PRE programme, which makes the programme and also RYM

internationally less visible than it should be.

It would be important to raise the awareness of RYM and its programmes

internationally. Therefore it would be advisable to include the requirement to

acknowledge the funding programme in all publications, which is a normal international

practice and, as said, mandatory for example in USA and UK.

Some of the work packages have not been publishing much in English although the

results would be both interesting and important internationally. Although it is clear that

communication with the Finnish companies requires publications in Finnish, from the

international viewpoint the emphasis of research publications should be in English.

Some work packages have produced several Master thesis. This is a typically Finnish

phenomenon. In many countries Masters thesis are not allowed as a part of research

projects and therefore these results would be ignored in most international

evaluations. At least the best results of the thesis should be brought systematically into

international forums through conference papers or journal articles in collaboration with

the supervisors.

The focus in publications has clearly been in conference papers. While presenting new

ideas and networking in the conferences is extremely important part of international

collaboration, the projects should have produced clearly more journal articles and

reviewed chapters in books or complete books. Cross-organisational and -disciplinary

authoring could be improved significantly and this could produce more innovative

insights.

Ilkka Romo

Vice President, R&D at

Skanska Oy, Chairman of the

PRE Program Steering Group

Key Results of the PRE Program from the

Industry's Point of View

Summary and Future Prospects

The successful and broad-based research conducted in the PRE program has helped

Finland maintain its position as a global leader in the research and deployment of BIM.

In infrastructure construction modeling we have even been able to increase our lead.

However, the situation is changing because in many countries, such as the UK, the

government is actively promoting BIM as a way to improve considerably the

productivity of construction.

The most significant results of the PRE program from the perspective of industry were

achieved in the development of technologies and concepts supporting open BIM-based

cooperation models and distributed management and sharing of information.

Requirements, instructions and a data transfer format for modeling were created for

the infrastructure sector, all of which together speed up the breakthrough of BIM.

BIM-based tools and processes were also developed and tested in practice which can

improve supply chain management and work safety considerably. In the future, the

results of the PRE program can also be used in many ways in interactive land use

planning and reform of work environments.

In Finland, BIM expertise has for quite a long time been based on the development

work of leading software houses and top design and construction sector enterprises.

The PRE program complemented and provided new insights for this research

cooperation. Nevertheless, effective deployment of the research results is also needed

before they can have the desired effect on the productivity of construction and the

profitability of companies. For this reason, it is essential that the research results

produce concrete product development projects and the companies that participated in

the program, and Tekes, play central roles in their launching.

On the other hand, sufficient research input in BIM must be ensured also after the PRE

program. It is vitally important for the productivity and competitiveness of construction

– especially when the market outlook is bleak.

Introduction and Bases of Evaluation

The objective of the first research program of RYM Oy, the PRE program (Built

Environment Process Re-Engineering) implemented in 2010–2014, was to create

completely new procedures and business models for the real-estate, construction and

infrastructure sector. The basis of their development was increasingly user-driven

procedures supported by BIM-based data management during the entire life cycle of

properties, infrastructure and communities. The aim of the new business processes

was to improve productivity and quality considerably.

The program consisted of six thematic work packages:

1.

Model Nova – Use of BIM during property´s life cycle from the owner´s

perspective

2.

New Wow – Changing nature and requirements of knowledge work and their

impact on management of an organization and space

3.

BIMCON – BIM-based product data management in the delivery chain of

industrialized building

4.

DRUM – Entity data models and standards

5.

Infra FINBIM – Future innovation-based delivery chain of the infra sector

6.

BIMCity - Platform for dissemination, evaluation and development of

PRE Results Report

community-level built environment digital models

The work packages were made up so that their contents would complement and

support each other. The result was a rather comprehensive and representative

cross-section of the utilization of BIM at different stages of built environment processes both

in building and infrastructure construction.

My assessment of the results of the PRE program is based on the information I received

from the work package leaders and experiences from the BIMCON work package led by

Skanska.

Examples of the Results of the PRE Program

GOALS

RESULTS

New procedures and

business models

BIM-based knotworking and spearhead alliance

cooperation modelNew office space design concepts that

support new work methods and efficient use of

spaceBIM-based cost-optimizing design of an asphalt pavement

More user-driven

procedures

BIM-based cooperation in common spaces

Virtual visualization solutions in land use planning

Product model-based

data management

over the entire life

cycle of properties,

infrastructure and

communities

Web of Data Technology for distributed data management

and exchangeModelling requirements and instructions for

the infrastructure sector as well as international

standardization based on the InfraModel data exchange

formatTools that enable use of modeling in calculation of

carbon footprint

Improvement of

productivity and

quality

Tools that enable use of modeling in

supply chain management

quantity survey

improvement of work safety

assessment of constructability

Harmonization of the Lean Approach and Last Planner

production control system with BIM tools

BIM-based machine control in infrastructure construction

BIM-based open cooperation means more effective

processes

Part of the PRE research and projects focused on the development of processes more

from the point of view of social action than technology. A process that exploits

modeling cannot become more effective if new technology is used the old way.

According to the research results, the biggest benefits of modeling to date have been

achieved in the areas of visualization of projects, quantity data and inspection of

designs. Efforts were made to expand the field to various implementations of cost and

energy simulations.

The elimination of activities that do not add value according to the Lean approach and

mutual cooperation between the parties were underlined, for instance, by the

harmonization of the Last Planner production control system and knotworking with BIM

tools.

One result of the research work in the PRE program was also a new project type, the

spearhead alliance, that requires close cooperation between clients, designers and

implementers and efficient and carefully planned use of BIM tools. This kind of an

operational model also requires working in shared team premises. This BIM based

operational model not only helps improve the management of the overall process but

also takes the end user better into account and creates clear added value for the

owners in production.

BIMs will soon be managed and shared online

The technologically most advanced R&D took place in the DRUM work package of Tekla

and Aalto University. It studied and developed solutions for genuinely distributed

information management and sharing in construction projects. It resulted in the

concept of an open operational model which allows linking BIMs and sharing of

information online quickly in real time. The information sharing is based on the newly

developed Web of Data Technologies.

The new distributed operational model is more compatible with the distributed

organizational model of construction projects and reduces the number of errors in

design. Instead of being stored in centralized model servers, information can be found

and shared easily online.

Web-based BIMs can be linked to any other information available online, building

information can be shared openly with users and software developers, and use of the

model between work phases can be streamlined and made easier. Dialogue between

users and software developers improves the quality of BIMs and promotes innovation

and new ways of using the models.

BIMs can trigger a leap in productivity in the infrastructure

sector

The Infra FINBIM work package conducted ground-breaking, goal-oriented and practical

research in the development of modeling guidelines, standards and practices of the

infrastructure sector. The research results have had a major impact on the wider

introduction of modeling in public infrastructure projects, thanks especially to the active

participation of the Finnish Transport Agency. Together with a few big cities it

implemented several pilot projects during the program to further develop and test the

requirements and guidelines of modeling.

One concrete research result concerned design and implementation of asphalt

pavements that optimize costs by using BIM and machine control automation. The

solution is based on laser scanning of an existing surface. The laser scanning method is

also useful in monitoring the condition and wear of roads and optimizing the timing of

repairs.

The wider introduction of model-based machine control makes all civil engineering

more efficient and enables a significant productivity leap in the sector. The use of

models in infrastructure construction requires developing the compatibility of the

design process and tools, as well as data management solutions and related tools. One

of the major benefits of model-based design is attained in quantity surveying which

becomes more effective and accurate and will in the future enable model-based

procurement.

Processes must be developed in both infrastructure and building construction so that

all advantages of BIM can be used in all phases of the process, from design input data,

actual designs and quantities derived from them to construction and the subsequent

maintenance phase. In the future, model-based as-built data will be a significant factor

in making the maintenance of infrastructure networks more effective.

Better control of supply chains and work safety

The BIMCON work package tested the applicability of design-build subcontracting of

precast concrete panels to the modeling process and tools. This procedure allows the

supplier of building elements to adapt designs more accurately to its own

manufacturing even if the general COBIM modeling requirements and guidelines of the

sector are used. Shared use and synchronization of used software must nevertheless

be improved so that both the supplier and the main structural designer can be sure of

the compatibility and up-to-dateness of their designs.

Another central research theme was the analysis of designs to assess constructability. A

model was developed for assessing constructability during the project from several

different points of view. It improves the efficiency of construction and work safety by

eliminating structures that are difficult to implement.

The improvement of work safety is one of the most important focuses in the

construction sector. Consequently, the analysis and design of work safety as a whole

was one of the main research subjects. Automatic analysis of the need of fall

protections and their positioning in designs were also developed in this context. The

utilization of modeling in the improvement of work safety requires further research and

development by software suppliers.

Modeling can also be exploited in many ways in supply chain management. One tested

solution allowed using a model to monitor the different stages of precast concrete

panels from design to manufacture and installation on site. The method offers all

parties to a project a transparent view of the project schedule which reduces risks and

the need of buffer times.

The modeling of building elements on the product level has largely been limited to

detailed modeling of products related to the frame phase while the interior work phase

products have mainly been evaluated generally on the structural type level. With certain

architectural design softwares, however, it is possible to go much further. For example,

detailed modeling of the surface materials of a bathroom enables clearer specification

of commercial products and steering of procurement with the model.

Tools for calculation of carbon footprint

Calculation of the carbon footprint was also developed in the BIMCON research which

expedites and promotes the consideration of environmental issues in design. An overall

solution for this purpose is yet to be found, so approaches dependent on the modeling

software must still be used. Yet, the research showed that the method works.

The researches also addressed company-specific product data management in

modeling software as well as more generic data management and the transition

through general design, product selection and specification and construction to

maintenance and the requirements of the later phases of the life cycle. This approach

worked with the products of some companies, such as steel frame structures, but there

is no clear-cut general solution for model-based maintenance and life cycle

management.

Graphic tools for land use planning and refurbishment of

work environments

BIM also allows more effective land use planning, visualization of design solutions and

zoning. The BIMCITY research projects included various city modeling experiments and

used augmented reality tools in the visualization of design alternatives. Virtual

visualization tools develop rapidly along with new technologies and will in the near

future become common methods of communication between design teams, clients and

users. They also give residents and other people affected by construction better

possibilities to participate in the process and are likely to reduce misunderstandings

and related complaints at the zoning phase.

The New Wow work package examined how new design concepts of office premises

enhance work in offices or offer distance work opportunities. This is only natural since

all types of teams need communication, cooperation, or, alternatively, peace and quiet

to concentrate on their work. New activity-based concepts are entering the market,

making the use of spaces more efficient. The main thing then is the visualization and

illustration of solutions in advance with modeling tools.

Self-Assessment

A self-assessment of PRE took place in the spring 2014. The number of participants was

22/23. The average score of the ten questions (see figure) was 5.2.

The average score of first three questions, categorized as “Quality and relevance”, was

5.3. The next four, in “Resources and collaboration”, scored 5.2. The last three,

under “Value-Added”, resulted in an average of 5.1.

Participants were reasonable satisfied with the outcomes. This result confirms the

notion that companies and research organisations have been working actively. Work

packages and enterprises have encouraged each other in numerous meetings and

presentations during the program.

The survey was conducted online.

PRE Results Report

Success Stories

BIM Based Management of Road Networks

Improves Efficiency

Using Building Information Modelling (BIM) can be divided in three

procedures in road maintenance process. First procedure is similar to a

typical BIM process when building new infrastructure. Second one is

maintenance sectors’ own model for to handle one maintenance site or

even whole road network. The third procedure is to know, how to store

and use, during maintenance phases, the InfraBIM data produced when

designing and constructing new infrastructures.

The first developed procedure concluded that typical InfraBIM-model can be copied

easily to maintenance and road rehab process by using same kind of model than

typical construction process is using.

The second procedure showed that InfraBIM-model is possible to be created typical

structure improvement site-projects, where designer needs lots of information to

get the best possible solution.

The third procedure there result will be done in future when more BIM-models of

new roads will be ready to store and handled for maintenance use. Maintenance

BIM was exploring first two procedures, but also developing future scenarios for the

third procedure type.

Adding the BIM-based designing phase to the paving process offers numerous

opportunities to employ new methods and principles compared to the traditional

paving approach.

Model-based designs that exploit geographic information can be executed with

machine-control procedures of different grades. In its most exact form, the machine is

controlled by fully automatic machine control. Because the procedure is currently

rather expensive and time consuming, we tested whether the machine control codes

could be transferred into the site by using palmtops (PDA device). Then the

location-based designs are realized by steering the vehicles manually.

From 3D-road scanning to 3D-milling (PowerPoint presentation)

Authors:

Kimmo Laatunen, VR Track Oy

Manu Marttinen, NCC Roads

Tiina Perttula, Finnish Transport Agency

Consortium:

PRE Results Report

Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment

Destia Oy

Finnish Transport Agency

Finnmap Consulting Oy Infra

NCC Construction Ltd

By Means of BIM Radical Improvements to

Productivity, Quality and Safety

The main objective of BIMCON work package was to develop a

comprehensive product data management procedure for industrialized

construction process that is based on usage of building information

model (BIM) for common data management in the supply chains.

The general aim was to encourage the construction branch to adopt rapidly ICT in

construction supply networks.

Productivity with information models and mobile devices

Building information modeling, or BIM, provides good opportunities for improving

productivity in the construction sector. A 3D plan includes essential information on a

construction project’s materials and product components; the quality of design

improves and project parties receive the information they need electronically.

Construction feasibility and production-technical solutions are developed with the help

of a model. Measuring from drawings, susceptible for errors, and time-consuming

calculations are eliminated. Mobile devices on site enhance site management activities,

improve communication and increase productivity.

Safety on site improves

A well modeled plan is introduced to the site. Occupational safety is improved by the

modeling of railings and fall protection. An area model shows the locations of storage

areas, machinery, cranes and dangerous tasks. The model is used in inducting workers

to the site. A well designed site leads to better order and safety, which also increases

productivity.

Work methods in the construction sector changing

An information model collects information from different design areas and production

into one place. Using models, different design alternatives are analyzed in advance.

Indoor air conditions and energy consumption are simulated in order to find optimal

solutions. Carbon footprint will be one criterion. Procurement and manufacture of

product components will become more efficient and flawless. Schedule and cost

information will be connected to projects. A model provides project parties with a joint

interface. The potential for developing productivity and quality is enormous, and a

technological breakthrough is already underway.

PRE Results Report

Author:

Ilkka Romo, Skanska Oy

Consortium:

Skanska Oy

Parma Oy

Rautaruukki Corporation

Saint-Gobain Weber Oy

Tekla Corporation

Saint-Gobain Weber Oy

Aalto University

Future Building Information Models Are

Managed on the Web

Finnish BIM-related DRUM research has resulted in a concept that

enables linking building information models and sharing the information

online quickly and on time. The new distributed way of working is better

suited to match the distributed organization model of construction

projects and will reduce design errors.

This research challenged the predominant idea of managing building information

through one centralized model. A combination model that contains all building

information is too heavy to utilize within the intensive information management and

cooperation process needed for construction. DRUM was a sub-project under the PRE

research program of SHOK Group’s RYM Oy led by Tekla Oy and supported by Aalto

University as the main research partner.

“Although the creation of building information models has enormously developed and

become more efficient in Finland and around the world, the utilization of the data

contained in the models among the construction project parties is still largely in its

infancy,” says Seppo Törmä of Aalto University, researcher in charge of the project.

“At the moment, retrieving information from a single model is toilsome. Handling a

complete model is hard if you only need to pick out an individual object using, for

example, a mobile device. Extra data is often in conflict with the most up-to-date

information, which accumulates problems to the user of the model,” says Jukka

Suomi of Tekla that is leading the project.

The result of the DRUM research is an open concept that is based on linking, managing

and sharing building information over the Internet as a way of working.

“Instead of locating the information on certain model servers, it can be easily found and

shared on the Web. This makes utilizing the information natural to the different

disciplines,” says Törmä.

An open concept advances innovation and development

According to the new concept, the building information model consists of smaller

sectional models that are linked with each other and can be put into design as well as

updated separately over the Internet. As a result, there are less conflicts between the

models created by different project parties.

Thanks to the Web-based way of working, building information models can be

connected with any other data found on the Internet, the building information can be

openly shared among its users and with software developers, and the use of models

between project phases can be made streamlined and easier.

PRE Results Report

“The dialog between the model users and software developers improves the quality of

the models and advances innovation as well as new ways to utilize the models,” says

Suomi.

Concrete results expected in approximately three years

The DRUM results are expected to proceed into practice in a few years. The new

concept has been partially tested at Skanska.

“We expect the results to realize in the construction industry in 2 to 3 years as software

houses start applying the concept that has been developed,” says a participant of

DRUM, development director Ilkka Romo of Skanska.

The long-term objective of DRUM is to improve the overall productivity of construction

projects through information management and the capability to share it. This is a way

reduce errors, for example, so that no time is needed to settle them.

DRUM’s results have been noticed internationally: BuildingSMART has been interested

in the results, among others, and they will be presented in the European Construction

Technology Platform (ECTP) conference in Brussels in June. The results will also be

presented in the European Conference on Product and Process Modeling (ECPPM)

conference arranged in Vienna in September.

In the end of May, Aalto University and Tekla will organize an international scientific

workshop in Espoo, Finland, and an international network of researchers is forming

around the topic.

About DRUM

*DRUM (Distributed Transactional BIM) research is part of Finnish RYM Oy’s PRE (Built

Environment Process Re-engineering) program that consists of two parts of research.

DRUM was kicked off in November 2010 and was concluded in April 2014. Tekla has

acted as the leader of DRUM with Aalto University as the main research partner. Other

participants include Skanska, Solibri, CGI, M.A.D. and Progman Oy. Some of the

research was contracted to Georgia Tech and the Technical Research Centre of Finland

VTT.

For more information, please contact:

Seppo Törmä, researcher, Aalto University, tel. +358 50 3160979,

e-mail [email protected]

Jukka Suomi, product manager, Tekla Oy, tel. +358 40 510 3101,

e-mail [email protected]

Ilkka Romo, development director, Skanska Oy, tel. +358 50 5201 596,

e-mail [email protected]

Web technology opens a whole new market for information management

About Tekla

With its software, Tekla Corporation drives the evolution of digital information models

and provides thus more and more competitive advantage to the construction and

infrastructure industries. Tekla has customers in nearly 100 countries, offices in 15

countries and a worldwide partner network. Tekla head office is located in Espoo,

Finland. The company was established in 1966, and it is one of the first software

companies in Finland. Tekla Corporation became part of Trimble Navigation Ltd in July

2011.

INFRAMODEL 3 Data Exhange Format Will Come

into General Use

Inframodel is an open data exchange format based on the international

LandXML standard developed in Finland. The Finnish Transport Agency

will require use of Inframodel 3 (IM3) in all its projects launched after

May 1, 2014. Large Finnish cities also aim to introduce Inframodel 3 this

year.

A uniform content for the latest version of the Inframodel was created in the

InfraFINBIM work package of the RYM PRE program, as well as guidelines for data

exchange related to input data and design and implementation models. It has also

been tested and piloted in actual projects. General modeling requirements and

guidelines for the infrastructure sector have been developed simultaneously and sector

nomenclature has been expanded to support BIM.

- The Finnish Transport Agency requires use of the IM3 format in all design and

implementation projects. In principle, this requirement applies to material handed over

to the client. That ensures that the data are in software-independent open format

available to all those involved in the project’s follow-up design and construction, says

Tiina Perttula, BIM Development Manager at the Finnish Transport Agency.

- The Inframodel 3 format will be put to systematic use in the infrastructure sector this

year. It is already being made use of in many design programs on the market as well as

in measurement, machine control and inspection applications. The crucial factor,

however, is that large public clients demand its introduction, says Juha Liukas of SITO

Oy who has led the IM3 introduction project.

Liukas emphasizes the need of continuous development since modeling features and

methods change quickly. Preliminary specifications for upcoming versions of the

Inframodel format have already been made. The aim is to publish this year the

specification for version 3.1 which contains certain new features. Maintenance and

development will continue under the buildingSMART Infrastructure Business Group.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Tiina Perttula, Finnish Transport Agency, tiina.perttula[at]liikennevirasto.fi, tel. +358 40

517 6789

Juha Liukas, Sito Oy, juha.liukas[at]sito.fi, tel. + 358 40 725 8103

PRE Results Report

Knotworking boosts decision-making and

productivity

The BIM-based knotworking model tested in pilot projects can boost

construction sector productivity and project management considerably. It

allows resolving conflicts effectively even before they erupt and selecting

the most clever plan or mode of operation from a larger number of

options.

Knotworking has already been adopted by many sectors to bring together the parties to

a project and top experts to solve a common problem and ensure attainment of goals.

The method has been developed by the Center for Research on Activity, Development

and Learning (CRADLE) at University of Helsinki under Professor Yrjö Engeström.

– The social environment is in a constant state of flux as the actors change frequently.

“Human agency capital,” consisting of both clients and users, is becoming a decisive

competitive advantage. It allows staff and clients to take ownership of the operation in

question and its development and ”do before they’re told,” Engeström emphasizes.

– Problems and conflicts must not be feared but turned into a tempting challenge. We

are used to talking openly about problems only in narrow circles. We embellish our

language when speaking to clients although we should be open and straight.

Information transfers effectively to serve as a basis for

decision-making

The CRADLE research group led by Professor Reijo Miettinen, which also includes

Hannele Kerosuo, Tarja Mäki and Jenni Korpela,studied the applicability of

knotworking in construction projects in the Model Nova work package managed by

Senate Properties. The possibilities knotworking provides especially in making the

BIM-based construction process more effective were tested in three pilot projects: two

schools and one hospital renovation. The results were encouraging.

– Direct interaction, intensity and the speed at which information could be transferred

and results provided to decision-makers topped the list. Reaction to alternatives was

easy and the client had a much easier time creating an overall view, the construction

experts summed up.

– Knotworking is applicable particularly when project requirements are complex. The

PRE Results Report

BIM provides an excellent starting point for knotworking. However, everything does not

have to be modeled and analyzed since the knot group can evaluate alternative

solutions quickly on the basis of the experience and intuition of available experts.

Visualization is certainly important also then!

An essential part of knotworking is to define the information required to make the right

decision and determine the key performance indicators (goals and requirements) based

on which decisions are made. These goals, their development and realization are

monitored at knots and during knotworking. The difference compared to the typical

situation today where no one has a good overall picture, i.e. does not know what the

partner is doing, is considerable. The decision-maker is confounded when answers to

the same question differ between actors.

Better chance to analyze a larger number of alternatives

The traditional approach in construction is to analyze one to three alternatives and

choose one for closer analysis. That takes at least a couple of weeks. Pilot studies

indicated that knotworking and BIM use enable analyzing 15–20 alternatives in a couple

of days.

– In the future, the pace will become even faster: tools already under development will

e.g. enable interactive examination of 100–200 alternatives with respect to energy

efficiency. People at Stanford have estimated the number of analyzed alternatives to go

even as high as 20,000. That, however, requires supercomputers, says Tuomas Laine

of Granlund Ltd.

Such a huge number of alternatives cannot be analyzed by traditional means. New

solutions are required that allow screening alternatives and choosing the most

appropriate ones for detailed analysis. Such solutions already exist: e.g. different

sensitivity analyses are used to select parameters that appear most important and

visualization technology is available as a cloud service.

Based on research and pilot studies, new technology is needed especially in automated

space design, cost control and related more efficient and automated BIM use,

particularly in early phase cost estimations, as well as for energy and environmental

solutions.

What is knotworking?

Knotworking is close cooperation between various actors and experts in connection

with the design and construction process of buildings. Its aim is to make use of the best

expertise of participants proactively, at the right place and time, which provides the

best outcome with the best cost-effectiveness. Tasks normally performed consecutively

by different special sectors are squeezed into tighter schedules and done concurrently

which speeds up the building process.

Higher level knots interconnect with the stages and decision-making process of the

construction project which improves the process quality and speeds up its

implementation and related decision-making through close cooperation between

experts. At project team-level knots experts representing different sectors come

together to solve critical tasks and problems occurring at various stages of the

construction project.

The working group consists of the most appropriate persons for each knot. The group

lives, changes and comes together as needed; it determines its own makeup, modes

and methods of work, and has neither an assigned leader nor a permanent

organization. Knotworking is fast paced: when information exchange between experts

and utilization of expertise is immediate, assessment of different alternatives and

feedback is quick.

See result cards:

New Advances in Building Design by Knotworking Concept

BIM from the Social Science Perspective

Better Decisions with Visual Metrics

Multi KPI Analysis

The Spearhead Project Model

Optimized space management can be a hot

export product

Mobile knowledge work has revolutionized the principles and practices of

facility management. The New Wow work package of the PRE program

examined the impacts of change as well as created new tools that allow

increasingly effective and productive use of facilities. The driver company

of the work package, Rapal Oy, exploits this new knowledge through its

rapidly growing U.S. subsidiary.

The New WoW research program led by Rapal developed, tested and evaluated various

tools and methods intended especially for the evaluation of space utilization. The

resulting knowledge provides management a good idea of the current situation and the

potential for its improvement. The methods were tried out at Rapal and five other

organizations that participated in the work package.

Rapal Oy has launched software that includes the necessary tools for facility

management, property maintenance and construction projects. According to Rapal, the

Optimaze.net service has enabled its clients to save as much as 10 to 50% in annual

space costs.

The program is modular and includes financial, rental and space management modules

as well as modules for environmental accounting, real estate portfolios and evaluation

of space utilization.

The development of the Optimaze.net service in international markets will be boosted

by the merger of the U.S. Co3 Group into Optimaze Inc., a Rapal subsidiary operating in

California, in early 2013. The latter has been engaged in market research for a year and

a half:

- The sector is presently very hot in the U.S. We aim to get 50 clients by the year-end,

but pleasant surprises are quite possible. Intensive marketing will start this fall. Sales

will focus initially on one service module, the others will be included later, says Jyrki

Kalavainen, President of Optimaze Inc.

We have to be able to identify different users of spaces and

their work methods

The results of the studies of the New WoW work package indicate that better

understanding of the ways in which people work is required – especially why and how

PRE Results Report

A study led by Senate Properties focused on change in the government work

environment. The aim was to create a user-centric design tool for sustainable work

environment development. Practical solutions were studied from five viewpoints:

sustainable mobility, productivity, well-being, procurement and use.

Communication is key in preparing for change. It makes people ready for change even

before a project is launched. Successful communication requires understanding what

motivates people to act in a sustainable manner. Four different behavioral profiles

based on identified motivations were created. They were evaluated and developed with

experts of Senate Properties. The profiles were used to create use scenarios which took

into account different states of mind and the primary reasons for accessing a website.

That revealed existing stumbling blocks and special needs along the access path.

The workspace is selected on the basis of the day’s work

The premises of ISS Palvelut Oy (ISS Services) in Lahti were designed so as to allow each

employee to choose freely the workspace best suited for the work at hand. The

premises have spaces for team work, making and receiving calls and working with

laptops. Results were collected through observation, interviews and questionnaires.

The conclusions drawn strongly support the importance of participatory preparation.

Discussions are to be had during reorganization of work and spaces, drawing of plans

and deployment of spaces. The smooth functioning of the company infrastructure, such

as data connections and printers, also proved extremely important. Thus, teaching staff

to use new technology and tools is of utmost importance. As premises change,

attention must also be paid to work methods.

Meters based on number of users for measuring energy

consumption of premises

A study by Granlund and VTT tested methods that measure the energy consumption of

premises in relation to the number of users. Various sensors and related technologies

are under intense development, and reliable and economical methods are being

introduced. They will allow measurements based on the number of persons to become

a good means of sustainable, economical and automatically controlled real-time

management of energy and space use.

According to the study, the currently used measurement technology is still expensive

and unreliable. After it develops sufficiently, we can expect savings in both heating and

ventilation. Building safety will also increase. Questions about privacy and loss of

comfort as a result of possible denser building remain open.

Technology is expected to be sufficiently accurate and affordable in a few years. Until

then, it is best to dimension and design on a kWh/m2 basis, the study concludes.

Safer Construction Through BIM

BIM-based design improves considerably the safety of a building over its

life cycle – from the construction phase to the maintenance of the

occupied building. When standards and regulations are defined by

programs, inspection and design may in the future be automatic at all

phases of work, says Research Scientist Kristiina Sulankivi at VTT

Technical Research Centre.

BIM has generally been thought to bring savings mainly by streamlining the work

process, reducing waste, and eliminating errors. Yet, as significant savings can also be

achieved through improved occupational safety: after all, a quarter of all work-related

fatal accidents in Finland occur at construction sites – mainly as a result of falls from

heights. The study on BIM-based safety inspections and planning that was part of the

RYM Oy BIMCON work package investigated this issue. The results were encouraging

and create good preconditions for commercialization.

For instance, the planning and modeling of a safety system to prevent falls and related

4D scheduling require a lot of man-hours which is why automation allows substantial

savings. An existing prototype tool that can identify risky site locations and provides

appropriate protections for them has been developed further on the basis of a Finnish

case study. Simplified or quite highly detailed instructions for the appropriate structure

of safety railings can be provided based on the user’s needs.

The prototype makes use of the Tekla Project Status Visualization tool. It enables

visualization of safety plans at various phases of construction as well as presentation of

the model, permanent and temporary building elements, and safety equipment.

The prototype has great potential of becoming a key tool of the safety plan prepared

jointly by the production planner, the contractor and the structural engineer. Modeling

rules related to safety need to be developed further and the number of safety

equipment alternatives increased prior to its field testing.

– A software developer could commercialize the prototype based on identified industry

needs and best practices, and eventually integrate it into a BIM-based modeling or

model checking software, Sulankivi emphasizes.

Safety saves time and money

PRE Results Report