A511

Background

A highways and bridge scheme with a heavy temporary works component, including a bridge slide and culvert operations. The digital engineering role covers the full span from survey processing through to 4D rehearsal of the construction sequence.

The problem

Temporary works planning on a constrained highways site involves several things that only become visible when they are modelled together: plant footprints against utility runs, access routes against no-reversing constraints, and the order operations happen in. Assessing those separately, in 2D, leaves the interfaces undiscovered until site.

What I built

LIDAR survey and existing 3D models of the bridge, culvert and ground were imported and processed into a workable environment across Civil 3D and Altair, with file sizes kept manageable so every stakeholder could open them. On that base sit 2D and 3D temporary works layouts covering plant footprints, ramps, crane platforms, access roads and storage compounds, each with a clear activity-zone narrative.

How it works

• Utility assets and site constraints are overlaid on the model to assess spatial and temporal interfaces and find clashes with temporary works, particularly around the bridge slide and culvert operations.
• Model objects are linked to the construction programme, giving 4D visualisation of sequencing and asset interactions.
• Swept path and access analysis is run for 40ft articulated trucks, piling rigs, cranes and concrete trucks under no-reversing constraints.
• Processed surfaces drive cut and fill volumes for the attenuation pond and road box, and stockpiling space is assessed for both fill and contaminated material.
• Point cloud files and surfaces are supplied in Civil 3D compatible formats, trialled on a single area before wider rollout.

Outcome

Utility diversion planning is supported with spatial data and visualisations that inform route selection and protection requirements. Models are updated collaboratively with engineering, design and site teams as new survey and design information arrives, and used for digital rehearsals, briefings and stakeholder engagement.

Where it goes next

Ongoing. The single-area point cloud trial determines the format and workflow for the rest of the scheme.