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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_CAD0021
Title	Automated Pipeline BIM Modelling and Cost Estimating Tool – Stage 2
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas) 50%; Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research(Energy Economics) 50%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	SOCIAL SCIENCES (Economics and Econometrics) 10%; PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Computer Science and Informatics) 40%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Civil Engineering) 10%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 40%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given Cadent Gas
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 March 2018
End Date	01 November 2019
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£612,657
Industrial Sectors	Energy
Region	London
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Cadent Gas (100.000%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , Cadent Gas (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_CAD0021
Objectives	The aim of this project is to build on the business requirements that were established in the “Automated Pipeline BIM Modelling and Cost Estimating Tool – Stage 1” project to develop an automated design software platform, delivering fully costed BIM models for the permanent and temporary works required for >7bar pipelines and diversions.BIM is a collaborative structured process that is used to assist the strategic planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of a building or infrastructure project. BIM software and technology facilitate the exchange and interoperability of the information gathered during the life of the project in a structured and intelligent manner. It also provides an opportunity to challenge the current design process and produce a design that not only meets our stringent safety requirements but also provides optimum cost and carbon efficiencies.This project aims to develop an automated HP steel pipeline design tool, negating the need for external design consultants and dramatically reducing the time and cost required to respond to customer requests. The proposed tool will deliver 3D pipeline design models, utilising additional BIM dimensions to deliver cost, programme and carbon impact estimates in “real time”, and allowing optioneering of multiple route corridor options to ensure the optimum route is selected.BIM is becoming increasingly ubiquitous in industry. However, historically, Cadent have had no in-house BIM expertise and this innovative project may have the added benefit of paving the way to realise the benefits that BIM technology can bring to the business and to our customers. The scope of this project is to develop an automated design software system for >7bar pipelines and diversions, capable of delivering 3D “end to end” BIM models for the permanent and temporary works, Capex and Opex cost estimates (+/- 25% accuracy).The project will comprise of the following phases; 1. The development of a software platform, capable of automating design calculations from basic user inputs and “stitching” together BIM component models to produce an “end to end” pipeline BIM model, including temporary works requirements. 2. Development of a library of BIM model components for >7 bar pipelines 3. “Proof testing” against a number of historical >7bar pipeline projects 1. Development of an automated >7bar pipeline design software application This project aims to develop a software platform, capable of modelling pipeline routing information to deliver a fully designed “end to end” BIM model of the pipeline routing, entered through the user mapping interface. The pipeline design platform will be developed with a simple user interface, allowing engineers to route pipelines and diversions onto a mapping interface. The software will be preloaded with the >7bar pipeline design codes, standards and user specific specifications and requirements. The system will utilise default settings for extraneous variables to the pipeline, such as crossings, environmental features, ground conditions and 3rd party apparatus. The system will be designed to allow the user to edit default settings once detailed data is generated during the development stages of the project. The platform outputs will be a detailed “end to end” scope of pipeline and temporary works components. The application will select BIM models from a BIM components library and “stitch” the component BIM models together to produce an “end to end” BIM model of the pipeline. The software application will deliver Capex costs, Opex costs and carbon impact estimates, derived from metadata tagged to the individual BIM components, making up the pipeline BIM model. 2. Development of a library of BIM model components for >7 bar pipelines The project will develop a library of BIM model for all >7bar pipeline components, building on the knowledge and expertise gained from previous NIA BIM projects undertaken by National Grid GT. This will include every type of component utilised in the design of >7bar pipelines, including pipe, fittings, valves and connections. Each component BIM model will be parametrically modelled, allowing tailored models to be developed based on dimensional outputs from the design software platform. The library will be developed using a WBS structure accommodating interface with the design platform. Each BIM component will contain metadata to allow the cost and carbon impacts to be developed in the design software platform. A library of temporary works models will also be developed. This will include items such as working width layout, box outs for crossings, crossing pits etc. Again, temporary works BIM models will be parametrically designed and tagged with metadata to allow cost and carbon impacts to be developed in the software platform.3. “Proof testing” against historical >7bar pipeline projects A detailed programme of progressive testing will be undertaken during the development of the software. It will also be tested against a number of historical projects (recently constructed >7bar pipelines) which will be defined and agreed with the project team. The “as built” pipeline route will be uploaded onto the software platform and the design outputs analysed against the “as built” design and outturn project costs. • To automate the design process for >7bar pipeline route corridor studies, allowing route corridor studies to be developed by “in house” engineers negating the requirement for external design consultants. • Potential for positive impact on customer perception. • Build on previous NIA projects to deliver a qualified tool capable of deployment within Cadent Gas Capital Delivery. • Proven potential to improve levels of customer service by reducing the time required to develop an >7bar pipeline route corridor study (currently 6 – 12 months) to <3 months. • Develop an automated software system capable of producing cost estimates for >7bar pipeline diversion with an accuracy of +/- 25%. The usual cost estimating accuracy for a feasibility study produced by an external design house is +/- 30% of the final as built cost, and this reduces to approximately +/- 25% at the conceptual design stage. The accuracy of the cost estimate produced by the software platform will be dependent on the level of site information inputted, however it will target a +/- 30% accuracy in the initial feasibility stage which could improve to +/- 15% if detailed site information is input in the conceptual design phase i.e. ground information, 3rd party crossings.
Abstract	The aim of this project is to build on the business requirements that were established in the “Automated Pipeline BIM Modelling and Cost Estimating Tool – Stage 1” project to develop an automated design software platform, delivering fully costed BIM models for the permanent and temporary works required for >7bar pipelines and diversions.BIM is a collaborative structured process that is used to assist the strategic planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of a building or infrastructure project. BIM software and technology facilitate the exchange and interoperability of the information gathered during the life of the project in a structured and intelligent manner. It also provides an opportunity to challenge the current design process and produce a design that not only meets our stringent safety requirements but also provides optimum cost and carbon efficiencies.This project aims to develop an automated HP steel pipeline design tool, negating the need for external design consultants and dramatically reducing the time and cost required to respond to customer requests. The proposed tool will deliver 3D pipeline design models, utilising additional BIM dimensions to deliver cost, programme and carbon impact estimates in “real time”, and allowing optioneering of multiple route corridor options to ensure the optimum route is selected.BIM is becoming increasingly ubiquitous in industry. However, historically, Cadent have had no in-house BIM expertise and this innovative project may have the added benefit of paving the way to realise the benefits that BIM technology can bring to the business and to our customers.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	09/11/22