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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