BIM (Building Information Modelling) Case Study

Cathay Pacific will invest approximately HK$4.8 billion into their new air cargo terminal at Hong Kong International Airport which will have a designed annual air cargo throughput capacity of 2.6 million tonnes. The facility is planned to commence operation in the second half of 2011. The new cargo terminal will be built in the cargo area at the airport, adjacent to the existing cargo servicing facilities. The terminal facility will occupy a site area of approximately 10 hectares. The investment will strengthen HKIA’s position as the world’s leading air cargo and logistics hub.

Due to the complexities of designing and constructing the modern semi-automated material handling system (MHS) which demands very precise co-ordination with the building structure, architecture and building services systems, Cathay Pacific specified the project would be designed using Building Information Modelling (BIM) methodologies and processes. The primary purpose of the BIM is to ensure that all of the MHS equipment, structural framing, architectural components and building services systems are fully co-ordinated and clash free. The second purpose is to generate a set of consistent construction drawings produced from the 3D models.

To achieve these goals Meinhardt and InteliBuild created a dedicated BIM Team co-located with the engineers, architects and specialists responsible for the design of the large cargo terminal. At the start of the project the BIM team reviewed the available software for BIM and also assessed the software used by the MHS manufacturers. AutoCAD and Revit were selected as the most suitable applications. The BIM team are using Revit Structure and Revit Architecture to design and model the building fabric. The building services are modelled in AutoCAD MEP and the MHS systems are modelled by Siemens as 3D solids in AutoCAD.

I

InteliBuild established the necessary BIM Standards and Procedures for the project. These included specifications for the model co-ordinates, units, CAD file naming conventions, clash analysis tolerances and drawing production management systems. In order to co-ordinate 33 MHS 3D CAD models, 13 Structural, 3 Architectural and 54 MEP BIM models an elaborate system of live and published data was developed for this innovative project. Navisworks Manage is utilised for three key purposes by the BIM team. Navisworks is the only application available that can compile and compress all of the Revit and AutoCAD 3D models into a single virtual building project. This allows the easy sharing of the building model with the client, project managers and designers thus ensuring that everyone has easy access to the detailed visualisation

.

Navisworks Clash Detective is utilised by the BIM Manager to evaluate the design coordination progress and to assist the design team in identifying the key areas within the large complex facility that require detailed design co-ordination. The clash analysis matrix stipulates the specifications for hard and clearance checks for 93 different simulations. This analysis ensures that the operational requirements, spatial co-ordination and building services co-ordination are all reviewed.

Navisworks Timeliner links the planned construction programme to the BIM models thus allowing the Project Managers to understand the phasing of the structure frame erection with the installation of the MHS steelwork and equipment. The 4D virtual construction simulation depicts the construction sequence, zoning and interaction between the main contractors operations and the specialised MHS sub-contractor works thus allowing the client, designers, planners and contractors to discuss, review and plan the exact sequences to ensure the project is delivered in an efficient and timely manner in order to meet the operational demands for the Air Cargo Terminal.

The implementation of Revit, AutoCAD and Navisworks by InteliBuild and the BIM team on the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal has enabled the design team to focus on the building design co-ordination, drawing production and construction planning with the confidence that the BIM software will meet the demands of the project.

October 2008 - Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal Press Release

Cathay Pacific today welcomed the announcement made by the Airport Authority of Hong Kong to award the airline's wholly owned subsidiary, Cathay Pacific Services Ltd, a franchise to invest in, design, construct and operate a new air cargo terminal at Hong Kong International Airport.

InteliBuild are leading the full implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) for the design and co-ordination of the new cargo terminal which will have a designed annual air cargo throughput capacity of 2.6 million tonnes.

As part of the Meinhardt and Aedas design team, InteliBuild are responsible for the structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, fire protection and plumbing and drainage systems. The BIM also fully integrates the Material Handling System (MHS) being design and supplied by Siemens. The BIM models will ensure that all of the contract drawings are fully co-ordinated and that there are no unforeseen conflicts between the building fabric, services and MHS systems.

Cathay Pacific Media Release

Cathay Pacific Case Study

2008 Autodesk BIM Award Presentation for Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal