Iconic Bridge Project Connecting Hong Kong to Zhuhai and Macau Adopts BIM Methodology, Reducing Construction Costs by 12%

The Leighton-Chun Wo joint venture standardized on a BIM methodology to drive consistency on this large multi-discipline design project that will connect Hong Kong, Macau, and Zhuhai. This revolutionary project includes 50 kilometers of bridges and tunnels and will create a distinctive entry point to Hong Kong. Leighton Asia conducted the civil, electrical, mechanical, structural, subsurface, and building work as the lead contractor for this ambitious project. The 130-hectare site will include site formations, roads, bridges, clearance buildings, footbridges, steel roofs, and various public facility buildings. Despite the challenge of a project team spread across several countries using a range of software applications, Leighton Asia provided consistency and uniformity for the design, survey, and construction of this transportation gateway, scheduled for completion in 2018.

For this USD 4.6 billion project, Leighton Asia leveraged Bentley technology to meet a variety of construction challenges. By standardizing on MicroStation’s DGN format, architects, engineers, contractors, and surveyors had simplified access to their design models and associated data. For the roadway design, the team used OpenRoads for conceptioneering the proposed designs. It then cross-referenced against the as-built, which ensured accuracy and improved error resolution. iModels were used as the data exchange format to ensure fidelity and integrity of engineering data. Bentley Navigator was used for clash detection and analysis, which resolved errors and issues prior to construction, reducing construction costs by 12 percent. Moreover, the team used ProjectWise as the connected data environment ensuring the engineering data could be access by a distributed project team.

Implementing BIM processes enabled a new method for working, which created a new culture within the organization that improved efficiency and streamlined workflows. By following BIM processes, project participants were trained using the same comprehensive modeling environment and BIM applications. Additionally, surveyors and design teams used Bentley’s reality modeling solution to capture and enliven digital photographs and point-cloud data of the existing site conditions. Leighton Asia contracted The Earth Solutions for technical and training support to integrate the reality mesh into the engineering environment, ensuring 3D BIM models could be cross-referenced with continuously surveyed models. This coordination reduced the cost associated with surveying by 15 percent by streamlining their workflows and adding expertise.

“Bentley’s civil BIM advancements bring BIM to the next stage by multiplying its benefits, especially in challenging and large-scale infrastructure projects. This platform has enhanced our collaboration with various stakeholders to import, acquire, and exchange valuable information.” says  Michael Kin Wong, Survey Manager, Leighton Asia