Bentley Case Studies WSB's Digital Transformation for TH 169 Roadway Expansion: A Case Study

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	WSB's Digital Transformation for TH 169 Roadway Expansion: A Case Study Bentley

WSB's Digital Transformation for TH 169 Roadway Expansion: A Case Study

Bentley

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation Functional Applications - Enterprise Asset Management Systems (EAM)
Applicable Industries	Transportation Utilities
Applicable Functions	Maintenance Product Research & Development
Use Cases	Digital Twin Virtual Prototyping & Product Testing
Services	System Integration
Challenge	The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) was tasked with converting a three-mile stretch of Highway 169 (TH 169) into a freeway system to enhance infrastructure, improve vehicle and pedestrian movement, and reduce traffic accidents. The project, known as the TH 169 Redefine Elk River Project, included transforming four traffic intersections into interchanges, replacing the northbound bridge on TH 169, upgrading all underground infrastructure and utilities, and adding pedestrian walkways to the connecting local roadways. Engineering firm WSB was contracted to deliver the final designs of the TH 169 roadway expansion. The project was funded through Minnesota’s Corridors of Commerce program and had a strict construction budget of USD 130 million. WSB faced challenges in delivering the project under the construction manager/general contractor (CMGC) delivery method, which required a constructability review throughout the design phase to eliminate inaccuracies that could cause delays or unexpected costs. WSB also aimed to advance its processes for creating and employing 3D models of road, bridge, drainage, and utility elements on the TH 169 expansion, which required complicated earthworks calculations. They also wanted to supply MnDOT with their first paperless project delivery to enhance sustainability and cut costs. Read More
About Customer	WSB is an engineering firm contracted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to deliver the final designs of the TH 169 roadway expansion. The project was part of Minnesota’s Corridors of Commerce program and had a strict construction budget of USD 130 million. WSB was required to deliver the project under the construction manager/general contractor (CMGC) delivery method, which required a constructability review throughout the design phase to eliminate inaccuracies that could cause delays or unexpected costs. WSB also aimed to advance its processes for creating and employing 3D models of road, bridge, drainage, and utility elements on the TH 169 expansion, which required complicated earthworks calculations. They also wanted to supply MnDOT with their first paperless project delivery to enhance sustainability and cut costs. Read More
Solution	To overcome these challenges, WSB sought robust digital twin technology and coordinated workflows to tackle the collaborative, budget, and engineering requirements and to advance their 3D modeling capabilities. They chose to work with Bentley to develop the workspaces, standards, and templates for the 3D elements and utilized the clash detection software as a check for their design with each stage and the final configurations to check their plans for conflicts. WSB used Bentley’s web-based, integrated platform to review the latest 3D design iterations of the roadway project with both stakeholders weekly. They combined the 3D model with the CMGC’s construction timeline to establish a 4D model in SYNCHRO that portrayed the excavation, road work, and infrastructure assembly over that period. WSB used OpenRoads Designer to calculate and validate earthwork quantities with 3D modeling technology. To ensure that the project did not exceed the budget, WSB tasked the CMGC contractor with appraising all design changes based on the quantity outputs supplied by the modeling software. Seamlessly transferring all quantities to the CMGC from each design iteration kept the project on schedule. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation

Functional Applications - Enterprise Asset Management Systems (EAM)

Applicable Industries

Transportation

Utilities

Applicable Functions

Maintenance

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Digital Twin

Virtual Prototyping & Product Testing

Services

System Integration

Challenge

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) was tasked with converting a three-mile stretch of Highway 169 (TH 169) into a freeway system to enhance infrastructure, improve vehicle and pedestrian movement, and reduce traffic accidents. The project, known as the TH 169 Redefine Elk River Project, included transforming four traffic intersections into interchanges, replacing the northbound bridge on TH 169, upgrading all underground infrastructure and utilities, and adding pedestrian walkways to the connecting local roadways. Engineering firm WSB was contracted to deliver the final designs of the TH 169 roadway expansion. The project was funded through Minnesota’s Corridors of Commerce program and had a strict construction budget of USD 130 million. WSB faced challenges in delivering the project under the construction manager/general contractor (CMGC) delivery method, which required a constructability review throughout the design phase to eliminate inaccuracies that could cause delays or unexpected costs. WSB also aimed to advance its processes for creating and employing 3D models of road, bridge, drainage, and utility elements on the TH 169 expansion, which required complicated earthworks calculations. They also wanted to supply MnDOT with their first paperless project delivery to enhance sustainability and cut costs.

About Customer

WSB is an engineering firm contracted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to deliver the final designs of the TH 169 roadway expansion. The project was part of Minnesota’s Corridors of Commerce program and had a strict construction budget of USD 130 million. WSB was required to deliver the project under the construction manager/general contractor (CMGC) delivery method, which required a constructability review throughout the design phase to eliminate inaccuracies that could cause delays or unexpected costs. WSB also aimed to advance its processes for creating and employing 3D models of road, bridge, drainage, and utility elements on the TH 169 expansion, which required complicated earthworks calculations. They also wanted to supply MnDOT with their first paperless project delivery to enhance sustainability and cut costs.

Solution

To overcome these challenges, WSB sought robust digital twin technology and coordinated workflows to tackle the collaborative, budget, and engineering requirements and to advance their 3D modeling capabilities. They chose to work with Bentley to develop the workspaces, standards, and templates for the 3D elements and utilized the clash detection software as a check for their design with each stage and the final configurations to check their plans for conflicts. WSB used Bentley’s web-based, integrated platform to review the latest 3D design iterations of the roadway project with both stakeholders weekly. They combined the 3D model with the CMGC’s construction timeline to establish a 4D model in SYNCHRO that portrayed the excavation, road work, and infrastructure assembly over that period. WSB used OpenRoads Designer to calculate and validate earthwork quantities with 3D modeling technology. To ensure that the project did not exceed the budget, WSB tasked the CMGC contractor with appraising all design changes based on the quantity outputs supplied by the modeling software. Seamlessly transferring all quantities to the CMGC from each design iteration kept the project on schedule.

Impact #1	WSB's use of Bentley's digital twin technology and coordinated workflows resulted in a more efficient and cost-effective project delivery. The use of 3D modeling and clash detection software reduced construction errors and eliminated rework, saving time and money. The creation of a 4D model allowed for the identification of gaps and overlaps in the timetable, and overlooked tasks that would have increased costs and reduced safety for on-site workers. The use of a civil design application enabled accurate quantification of earthworks volumes in complicated areas, ensuring the project did not exceed the budget. The digital workflow in a connected data environment provided real-time design updates, creating a safer, more efficient roadway expansion. The creation of a digital twin eliminated a paper-based review cycle, accelerating their timeline. The design models were transitioned into construction and asset management models, and the digital twin will be used throughout construction and operations. This streamlined project delivery and will support operations of the asset throughout its lifecycle.

Impact #1

WSB's use of Bentley's digital twin technology and coordinated workflows resulted in a more efficient and cost-effective project delivery. The use of 3D modeling and clash detection software reduced construction errors and eliminated rework, saving time and money. The creation of a 4D model allowed for the identification of gaps and overlaps in the timetable, and overlooked tasks that would have increased costs and reduced safety for on-site workers. The use of a civil design application enabled accurate quantification of earthworks volumes in complicated areas, ensuring the project did not exceed the budget. The digital workflow in a connected data environment provided real-time design updates, creating a safer, more efficient roadway expansion. The creation of a digital twin eliminated a paper-based review cycle, accelerating their timeline. The design models were transitioned into construction and asset management models, and the digital twin will be used throughout construction and operations. This streamlined project delivery and will support operations of the asset throughout its lifecycle.

Benefit #1	WSB saved over USD 12 million to date and anticipate their savings to grow to USD 15 million to 18 million in early 2022.
Benefit #2	Clash detection applications enabled WSB to relocate 58.7 miles of utilities ahead of schedule, advancing the timeline of other utility relocations and the construction of two interchanges, which saved almost USD 500,000.
Benefit #3	Using the software’s “version compare” functionality saved more than USD 4.8 million in earthwork balancing, bridge beams, and retaining walls.

Benefit #1

WSB saved over USD 12 million to date and anticipate their savings to grow to USD 15 million to 18 million in early 2022.

Benefit #2

Clash detection applications enabled WSB to relocate 58.7 miles of utilities ahead of schedule, advancing the timeline of other utility relocations and the construction of two interchanges, which saved almost USD 500,000.

Benefit #3

Using the software’s “version compare” functionality saved more than USD 4.8 million in earthwork balancing, bridge beams, and retaining walls.

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Overview

WSB's Digital Transformation for TH 169 Roadway Expansion: A Case Study

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit