Optimizing Design Documentation for a 50MW Solar Farm: A Case Study in Streamlined Civil 3D Workflow

by | Jul 6, 2023 | AutoCAD, Building Information Modeling, Civil, Civil 3D

Introduction and Background

In the renewable energy sector, meticulous design documentation is essential for the successful implementation of solar farm projects. To streamline operations and ensure accuracy in this process, companies are increasingly turning to outsourcing partners with expertise in Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D software.

This case study highlights the benefits of utilizing a Civil 3D outsourcing service provider to optimize the design documentation workflow for a 50MW solar farm, emphasizing the technical capabilities of Civil 3D and its significant advantages in the renewable energy industry.

Optimizing the Design Documentation Process with Civil 3D

By partnering with a Civil 3D outsourcing service provider, the client aimed to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of their design documentation workflow. Civil 3D’s powerful technical features served as the foundation for this optimization, revolutionizing the solar farm project’s planning and documentation stages.

  1. Utilizing Existing Surface Data: Civil 3D facilitated the seamless integration of existing surface data into the design documentation process. By importing and analyzing this data, the outsourcing team leveraged Civil 3D’s tools to create an accurate representation of the solar farm site’s topography. This comprehensive understanding of the terrain allowed for more precise and informed decision-making throughout the design process.
  2. Developing Proposed Surfaces: Building upon the existing surface, Civil 3D enabled the outsourcing team to develop proposed surfaces aligned with the solar farm layout. By utilizing the software’s advanced modeling capabilities, the team could create detailed representations of the terrain, taking into account factors such as grading, cut and fill volumes, and earthwork balancing. This approach ensured optimized site utilization and improved overall project feasibility.
  3. Efficient Road Network Design: Civil 3D’s robust functionality played a vital role in designing efficient road networks within the solar farm site. The outsourcing team utilized the software to generate alignment layouts, cross-sections, and profiles, streamlining the road design process. By balancing earthworks and considering factors like slope stability and drainage, the team achieved safe and cost-effective road infrastructure within the solar farm.
  4. Collaboration and Documentation: Civil 3D’s collaboration tools empowered the outsourcing team to work seamlessly with the client during the design documentation process. By utilizing features like cloud-based file sharing, version control, and real-time collaboration, the team ensured efficient communication, reduced errors, and improved document management. This streamlined workflow significantly enhanced overall project efficiency and reduced time-to-market.

Conclusion

Optimizing the design documentation process for a 50MW solar farm through the utilization of a Civil 3D outsourcing service provider showcased the power of Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D software’s technical capabilities. By leveraging existing surface data, developing proposed surfaces, designing efficient road networks, and enhancing collaboration and documentation, the client experienced improved accuracy, efficiency, and overall project success.

The use of Civil3D’s technical workflow in the renewable energy sector not only streamlined operations but also ensured the delivery of high-quality design documentation for the solar farm project. As the demand for renewable energy continues to grow, leveraging Civil 3D’s advanced features through outsourcing partnerships proves to be a strategic choice for companies looking to optimize their design processes and achieve sustainable energy goals.

Bulk Earthwork Contractor Design Services & BIM – Civil 3D | Solar Plant

by | Sep 26, 2022 | AutoCAD, bim, Building Information Modeling, Civil, Civil 3D

Bulk earthworks includes the removal, moving, or adding large quantities of soil or rock from a particular area to another. It is required to make an area suitable as per finished height and level for a specific construction purpose.

When bulk earthworks are taking place, the aim is to reduce as much as possible of the excavated materials to prevent both the costly collection of waste material and delivery of additional earth material.

This is done by using specialized computer software which can calculate both the amount of material that will be removed and what will be needed to complete the job. Surveyors and engineers aims to match the soil volumes being used for cut and fill, both.

We were approached by a client requiring engineering expertise to develop a bulk earthwork project for 5 number of solar power plants having capacities of 50MW to 100MW each. Couple of solar plants are situated in Africa and rest are situated in Middle East.

We decided to utilize Autodesk Civil 3D as an engineering and BIM tool because of its flexible features to develop grading and extensive tools to edit a surface.

We developed the existing earth topography based on surveyor’s raw data. Raw data can be in any form, it can be a satellite digital elevation model, or a drone scan / UAV scan or it can be multiple points taken manually by a surveyor. In our case, we were having a CSV point file provided by our client containing millions of points.

After developing the surface, we created the finished surface that was required as per the suitability of installing and operating solar trackers.

Bulk grading was created for each solar tracker area and cut/fill volumes were calculated. There were several iterations to finished surface and grading to ensure cut and fill values are balanced to avoid cost-overruns. Generally for a bulk earthwork contractor, these engineering techniques ensures their project bids and operating costs are as accurate as possible.

We then generated a cut/fill layout plan with 5m x 5m grids showing cut and fill values along with several profile views in Civil 3D to ensure the accuracy of existing and finished surfaces. These were a part of the shop drawings directly from Autodesk Civil 3D.

Similarly, access roads alignments, assembly, daylight cut and fill parametric slopes helped us to effectively model the corridors and generate shop drawings.

Through this approach, we successfully delivered Bulk Earthwork Design Services & BIM using Autodesk Civil 3D for Solar Power Plant Projects.

At BIMNCAD, we work on outsourcing projects involving Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D for land development, bulk gradings, developing and analyzing roads & highways, landscape detailing, produce shop drawings and much more. Feel free to get in touch with us or request a FREE quote for your projects by writing to us at contact@bimncad.com

Gujarat Earthquake 2001- Reasons behind the loss of Property & Life.

Gujarat Earthquake 2001- Reasons behind the loss of Property & Life.

by | Jul 19, 2019 | bim, Building Information Modeling, Civil, Civil 3D, Structural Design, Structural Engineering

The Gujarat earthquake 2001 was caused by a fault that ruptured deep in the Earth’s crust. The cause of the earthquake is the collision between the Indian plate and the Eurasian Plate. Stress from the Indian plate pushing north into the Eurasian plate is also a big cause for earthquake in Gujarat. Magnitude of that quake was 7.7 (6.9 on the Richter scale).

 

  • Basic Facts
  1. Earthquake: 8:46am on January 26, 2001
  2. Epicenter: Near Bhuj in Gujarat, India
  3. Magnitude: 7.7 on the Richter Scale
  • Geologic Setting
  1. Indian Plate Sub ducting beneath Eurasian Plate
  2. Continental Drift
  3. Convergent Boundary
  • The main reason of the loss of life and the loss of property is instability of structures.
  1. The masonry wall, mainly in mud mortar.
  2. Absence of connecting band.
  3. No through stone were provided.
  4. Heavy mass concentration at roof level.
  5. Buildings were close to each other.

 

Building was not properly designed. The Size of reinforcement and column were not adequate even for gravity loads. These buildings are highly non-durable to earthquake as they have deficit detailing, inferior and these buildings are also built up by light reinforcement. The Over lap to all column bars are provided at critical point. The size of footing is insufficient for the structures, and the length provided for bars in column and beams are Insufficient. From this failure, structure engineers are confused whether the structure was designed or not. construction materials and the technology are the main reason of collapse of buildings. There were no lateral ties and stirrups were available at junction where there is large demand of confining steel. And the Over lap to all column bars were provided at critical point.

A stable structure helps to reduce the loss of life and property. It can be possible with the help of a proper structure design. Structural design is the methodical investigation of the strength, stability, and rigidity of structures. The major objective in the analysis of Structure and design is to produce a structure capable of resisting all applied loads without fail during its intended life. The Basic Requirements of a Building are strength and stability if the stability and strength of the building is high it could survive in every situation(earthquake,storm ,high wind pressure). These things are possible when we Design the various structural components like slabs, beams, walls, columns and footing should ensure safety. We design a Symmetric structure with Proper structural design and Proper detailing of rebar. We strictly followed IS codes for design a stable structure.

Civil and structural engineering services by BIMNCAD provides safe and economic design to build the most sustainable and energy efficient structures.
How to Create Custom Parts for AutoCAD Civil 3D Consulting

How to Create Custom Parts for AutoCAD Civil 3D Consulting

by | Feb 27, 2019 | 3D, AutoCAD, bim, Building Information Modeling, Civil, Civil 3D

Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D is a BIM tool developed specifically for Civil engineers by Autodesk. You can create/import survey points and perform geometrical operations to locate intersection points as desired while doing your “AutoCAD Civil 3D Consulting”. Surfaces can be created at ease using points, Digital Elevation Models, contour lines, etc.

Sometimes, in order to create a pressure network, the user requires creating certain network parts which might not be available in default Pressure Network Catalog such as reducers.

To create a network part, create a 3-D solid geometry of the network part in 3D Modeling workspace of AutoCAD Civil 3D, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1

Make sure that the 2D Wireframe visual style is active and create the axis of the reducer which will be collinear with the pressure pipe of the pressure network. Figure 2 shows the axis created for the reducer.

 

 

Figure 2

Change the workspace from 3D Modeling to Civil 3D workspace and choose the Insert tool from the Connection Point panel of the Insert tab, as shown in Figure 3.

 

Figure 3

You will be prompted to pick an object to add the connection point to. Select the axis of reducer and you will be prompted to pick the insertion point in the object.

Click on one of the endpoints of the axis that you want to use as an insertion point. After specifying the insertion point, you will be prompted to pick the 1st point for the direction. Click on one of the endpoints of the axis, and similarly click on another endpoint to specify the direction of reducer to be attached.

After specifying the direction on the axis, you will be prompted to add engineering data. Specify yes in the command prompt area and the command terminates.

Enter PUBLISHPARTCONTENT in the command prompt area and hit ENTER; you will be prompted to select a solid for publishing.

Click on the solid geometry of the reducer; you will be prompted to select a centerline entity that represents the previously selected solid.

Click on the axis of reducer, you will be prompted to specify the measuring unit. Select the desired unit from the command prompt area.

Next, you will be prompted to specify the part type. Select the Reducer option from the command prompt area; the Select location to save CONTENT file dialog box will be displayed.

 

Save the part to an appropriate location.

Open the Content Catalog Editor from Start > All Programs > Autodesk > [Autodesk Civil3D folder] in Windows 7. For other OS, refer OS/software manual.

Choose Open Catalog button from the toolbar; the Open dialog box will be displayed.

Navigate to [system drive]\\ProgramData\\Autodesk\\C3D {version}\\enu\\Pressure Pipes Catalog\\Metric
*Replace [system drive] with the drive in which the software is installed and {version} with the software version.

Open the catalog in which you want to add the reducer.

Right-click on the reducer node displayed.

Choose the Import part option, as shown in Figure 4.

 

 

Figure 4

On choosing the Import part option; the Import Part wizard will be displayed, as shown in Figure 5.

 

 

Figure 5

Choose the Browse button displayed next to Import from.CONTENT file edit box; the Open dialog box will be displayed.

Open the *.CONTENT file published in earlier steps and choose Next.

Select the Water and the Reducer option from the Industry and Part Type drop-downs, respectively.

Specify the part family name in the Part Family Name edit box and choose Next.

Specify the material and description in the ID Material drop-down and Description edit box, respectively.

Choose Next followed by Finish; the Import Part wizard will close and the *.CONTENT file will be added to the catalog.

Save the catalog using the Save Catalog button from the toolbar.

Now you will be able to use the reducer part in creating pressure networks in Civil 3D.

Looking for AutoCAD Civil 3D Training then mail us your requirement at contact@bimncad.com

 

 

 

 

 

Top 5 Trending Software’s with Maximum Market-share in CAD & AEC Industry

Top 5 Trending Software’s with Maximum Market-share in CAD & AEC Industry

by | Feb 26, 2019 | 3D, 3D Printing Appplications, 3D Printing Tutorials, 4D BIM, 5D BIM, 7D BIM, AutoCAD, AutoCAD 2D, bim, Building Information Modeling, Civil, Civil 3D, Mechanical CAD, Mechanical Engineering, MEP, navisworks, Parametric Modelling, Solidworks, Solidworks Simulation

There are the various software’s in the market currently for AEC & CAD Industry, but out of them there are 5 major software’s in the market has set a record of creating a huge demand in the last few years. We figured out why these software’s adoption rate was higher and what are their strong features that create a huge dependency among the Architects, Contractors, Modelers & Renderers for their efficient work. Here are the TOP 5 Sofware’s that has the major market share in CAD & AEC Industry.

  1. Revit (BIM):

In this current BIM Scenario REVIT is the tool that holds the major market share in the AEC Industry of almost 48% as per NBS Report 2017. It is used for Architecture design, Modeling & Documentation of any project and its developed by Autodesk INC.

Revit is Allowing Architects, engineers, and the Construction Industry to make changes in real time. It can track the amount of time each person spends working on the project, projecting construction costs and timing from the beginning of a building; thus, helping construction meet completion goals better than ever before. It also tells the AEC information right down to what, when, and where the building will need maintenance.

Here are the top 5 benefits of using Revit on your BIM Project.

  1. Better Collaboration Using Revit
  2. Best for resolving conflicts between Project Members.
  3. Revit is Detailed Oriented (Provides all informatory data required to the respective coordinating members using BIM 360 Tool).
  4. It’s been easy to visualize your project and also the simulation of the project using Revit.
  5. Identify & Meet with clients with a splendid presentation using Revit.

 

  1. ArchiCAD (BIM) :

ArchiCAD is the 2nd most commonly used software for BIM Projects and it’s been adopted by an average of 18% market by AEC Industry. ArchiCAD has been developed by Graphisoft by keeping various problems and their solutions for many divergent segments in the AEC Industry.

Top 5 benefits for ArchiCAD :

  1. Enhanced Capacity of maintaining the productivity by making real-time projects collaborations easier and faster.
  2. Intelligently designed for Architects by focusing on their needs.
  3. Easy to learn and not heavy duty functions which also reduce the IT Cost.
  4. ArchiCAD is a server-based technology and it empowers firms for easy configuration for any size of projects.
  5. Maintain the competition by overcoming from the risk of delays of documentation and design process.

 

  1. Primavera (BIM): Project Planning & Scheduling

    #BIM TOOLS #CAD TOOLS
    #RENDERING TOOLS #ARCHITECTURAL TOOLS

By using primavera we can prepare any business project portfolio. It has almost 30% of the market share in the Industry. Primavera handles large-scale and mature projects very easily and it has been developed by Oracle INC.

Here are the top benefits of using Primavera :

  1. Maintain your resource capacity
  2. Planning & Scheduling of any convoluted projects is now easier by using Primavera P6.
  3. Optimize your resources by tracking and by designating best resources.
  4. After the Planning phase, it’s very important to visualize and monitor your project performance according to your plan and we can do that using Primavera.
  5. Project performance analysis gives an idea of any errors by which we can make alternate project pans.

 

  1. Solidworks (Mechanical CAD) :

SOLIDWORKS is a parametric-based 3D modeling CAD software and is been adopted by more than 1,50,000 companies worldwide. Apart from dominating manufacturing sector, This 3D Modelling software has also been used in the interior, architectural and medicine industries to name a few.

SOLIDWORKS provides a wide platform for solid modeling, as well as for surface modeling both controlled parametrically. Parametric 3d modeling is a modeling technique in which geometries are controlled by using numeric parameters like the diameter of a circle and geometry based parameters like concentricity and perpendicularity. Hence one can capture design intent to change the product’s geometry and shape throughout the product development process.

Here are the Top Advantages of Using SOLIDWORKS,

  1. User-friendly Interface making it easier to learn as compared to other CAD software.
  2. Easy to manipulate design at any stage in the product development phase.
  3. Real view graphics allow the model to be visualize rendered view in real time.
  4. Integrated add-ons help’s in analyzing dynamics, kinematics etc.
  5. This 3D Modelling software minimizes the time and development cost and allows you to make the design process effortless.

@BIMNCAD, Source: www.bimncad.com

 

  1. Autodesk 3DS Max (Architecture & Interiors Renderings) :

3Ds Max is a product by Autodesk INC, it has been diversified across the Engineering and Construction (AEC) business and has strong 3D modeling & Rendering capabilities.

3Ds Max consists of the many wealthy options that facilitate the modelers, the renders and also the designers to form unflawed photo-realistic 3D pictures also as 3D animations of any construction component.

Here are the top benefits of using 3Ds Max for 3D CAD Modeling & Rendering in the AEC Industry:

  1. In 3D animation services particularly the structural, the mechanical animation & in AEC industry, 3Ds Max 2018 has created notable improvements in the visualization, the motion graphics, the visual effects, etc.
  2. 3ds Max is a digital content creation software package, It can even produce 3d printable elements within the laptop which will replace human effort or sophisticate designed device
  3. It helps Modelers, Renderers and also the alternative users to increase their efficiency because of the diversification in 3D CAD Modeling, 3D Renderings, and Animation features.
  4. 3ds Max incorporates a dialog tool referred to as Material Editor that enables users to create & edit materials and maps in their scenes. they’ll be able to apply artistic textures, as well as, simulate refractions, reflections, and many effects as they assign materials to things.
  5. You can now link objects together in 3Ds Max, As a result, it allows the user to form hierarchies and can animate sets of objects in once.
TOP 5 BIM Tools & Trends you Should Watch out this Year.

TOP 5 BIM Tools & Trends you Should Watch out this Year.

by | Feb 26, 2019 | 3D, 3D Printing Appplications, 3D Printing Tutorials, 4D BIM, 5D BIM, 7D BIM, AutoCAD, AutoCAD 2D, bim, Building Information Modeling, Civil, Civil 3D, COBie, MEP, navisworks

In recent years, Building Information Modeling, otherwise known as BIM, has grown in popularity with professionals in architecture, engineering, and construction. This is mainly due in part to the efficient tools it gives AEC professionals in the planning, designing, construction, and overall management phases of buildings and infrastructures. By gaining popularity on various fields it creates various “BIM Tools” to optimize your project and to gain better insights.

BIM has unequivocally become a necessity for construction in almost every developed and developing country. As we all know BIM plays a major role in providing crucial project information, And with the increased popularity in recent times these are the “Top 5 BIM Tools & Trends” we should watch out for before doing any project using Building Information Modeling.

#BIM #BuildingInformationModeling

  1. COBie (BIM Tools, Plugin)

COBie stands for “Construction Operations Building Information Exchange” it’s a subset of BIM and focused on providing asset data. COBie is the format of information exchange only.

How you can get most from open standard BIM (i.e Cobie)

Looking at Plan, Elevation & Section,

  • Mental Model or section visualization
  • Everyone will be discussing the items they will be needing to know about
  • We get a good understanding what every other person meant by their own drawings
  • More drawings now then even before, Because it’s just so easy to print them all, Designers are the only one who are required to deliver tons of paper
  1. 4D, 5D, 6D & 7D BIM (BIM Tools)

BIM is assisting the AECO industry to reduce delays and costly overruns, implementation of more advanced 5D BIM tools can also avoid potential litigation. A 3D digital model of the planned construction is produced to allow design issues to be resolved before building even starts; more data can be analysed alongside the model to include scheduling and cost information thus avoiding costly delays dues to clashes as well as expensive reworking, this is 4D BIM. For a complete visualization of the project, 5D BIM considers cost, schedule and spatial design for the entirety of the project from conception to demolition to everyone involved in the project.

  • 6D-BIM tool helps perform energy consumption analysis. The utilization of 6D-BIM technology can result in more complete and accurate energy estimates earlier in the design process.
  • The 7D BIM tool allows participants to extract and track relevant asset data such as component status, specifications, maintenance/operation manuals, warranty data etc.
  1. 3D Printing

3D Printing technology has gained a lot more popularity in AEC Sector. It has a great potential of creating valuable and accurate building elements in a very short span of time at a very low cost. Apart from dominating manufacturing sector, it’s also been used in interior, architectural and medicine industries to name a few. We can use 3D Printing to create prototypes of Prehab materials & Manufacturing Components and submit it to construction partners.

  1. Augmented Reality/ VR

With a superb success of Augmented Reality on mobile devices this technology now gain the advantage of diversifying its use towards BIM (Building Information Modelling) industry.

AR Technology for BIM (Building Information Modelling) has made a great effort on providing BIM Model data hands free in 3D. By enhancing BIM with AR Technology has proven how we can understand about the built environment.

  1. Green Building Effort

In today’s world of pollution, greenhouse gases, energy footprints, and more; tools like this are no longer sitting around on the shelf. With the worlds collective environmental problems, particularly climate change, being a severe global issue; just waiting for the bright minds of today, and technology, to concentrate its efforts on solving this sobering challenge. BIM has the power to change all of this when optimized for today’s sustainable construction. The AEC now realizes how vital BIM for sustainable building design. The AEC also recognizes how badly needed such a powerful tool is and can be. Assisting in this global issue, the aims of this BIM Tool are leaning more toward sustainable building design. The future of building information modelling is taking many steps to solve these issues.

Source : www.bimncad.com