Sydney Olympic Arena Checks in with 12d Model - Lendlease (then Abigroup)

ClientMillenniumLocationAustralia, NSW
ConsultantAbigroupContractorGraham Wirth
Websitehttps://www.lendlease.com/au/

Project Summary

On-site quality assurance checking of all steps in the construction of Australia’s largest indoor sports and entertainment centre is being carried out through 4D Model (later renamed 12d Model).

Architectural and engineering service models are being fed on-site into a 4D survey model to ensure that construction of the Multi-Use Arena at Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush, goes exactly according to plan.

The Multi-Use Arena is being designed and built by construction giant Abigroup Contractors. As well as being a key venue for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, it is expected to meet Sydney’s sporting and entertainment needs well into the future. Abigroup will operate the facility for 30 years through its control of Millennium, the management company for the Arena.

The fully roofed Arena has a 48 x 75 metre event floor which is surrounded by five levels of seating which can accommodate up to 20,000 spectators. The performance space is free of columns, which provides an uninterrupted view from all seats. There is also a large rehearsal hall with retractable seating for 900. The Arena is adjacent to a 3,500 space car park, also being built by Abigroup, which will be shared by other facilities at Homebush Bay.
 

The Challenge

Abigroup’s Chief Surveyor, Graham Wirth, said the 4D Model software was rigorously tested in an on-site trial before the company committed to long-term purchase. “The software is being used for survey file management, calculations and storage of as-constructed information,” he said. “During the trial period we found 4D Model superior to other systems in terms of speed, file handling and ability to transfer data to and from other packages. It is now coping with a huge amount of data and performing admirably.” 

 

The Solution

Drawings and 2D files are supplied to the on-site surveyors, who put the files into 4D Model and convert them to 3D. The data in these files is compared with on-site survey information models built in 4D Model so that there are no possible clashes in the siting of engineering services, such as storm water grease lines and telecom lines, and structure positions, such as piling.

On-site survey information is collected using the TPSETOUT survey software package which links directly into 4D Model. TP-SETOUT records field data and compares the measurements to design parameters for setout and QA (quality assurance) purposes, then the data is compiled in 4D Model for quantity computations, data storage and transfer, and design modifications.

“The data is put together in 4D Model in layers, which is an excellent feature for visualisation,” said Mr Wirth. “Another good feature is the ability to use very long file names to enhance file management. “We are currently checking ground slabs in 4D model and are using around 30 layers at the moment for all our data,” he said. “We expect that by the time construction is finished in August 1999 this will at least double.

The Result

“4D Model is proving an excellent tool for handling very large project models. Our models currently contain about 60,000 to 70,000 points and this should at least double,” he said. “We’re confident that 4D Model will successfully see us through to the end of the project.”

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