BIM applications in civil engineering: how to make it civil? - 27/10/2022

BIM has generally made its appearance in our construction world. Building graphical models, including associated intelligence and processes, is common practice for large buildings and structures in the private sector. But what is the progress in civil engineering and civil structures? This seminar takes a critical (yet constructive) look at the application of BIM in civil structures such as bridges, railway infrastructure and tunnels at various stages of a project. Case studies are used to illustrate the possibilities and limitations, and this for the design in all stages, execution and implementation and as a management tool. What is the progress in relation to the European framework? A debate maps out different perspectives. The seminar will be organized in the new buildings of Infrabel Academy West, a building on top of a metro station and next to railway infrastructure. A guided tour, both digitally and in real life, offers insight into this infrastructure.

Program

  • 13:00: Registration
  • 13:25: Welcome by the Chair of IABSE Belgium , ir. Alain Dumortier
  • 13:30: Session 1: BIM design
    1. Transparency in design through BIM
      • Kristof Vandenbogaerde (Besix)
    2. Railway objects as part of Interdisciplinary Riga Central Station Project (RCS)
      • Vincent De Breuck (TUC RAIL)
      • Arnaud Carpent (TUC RAIL)
    3. Viaduct of Vilvoorde – Challenges and questions
      • Alain Dumortier (Greisch)
    4. Inleiding tot de rondleiding in Infrabel Learning Center (BIM model)
      • Alain Dumortier (Greisch)
  • 15:00: Coffee break and guided tour Infrabel Academy West
  • 15:45 Session 2: BIM design and Execution
    1. Brug ViA 15 (Bridge Canal Pannerdensch, Arnhem)
      • Éric Bodarwé (Ney & Partners)
    2. The great connection
      • Jan Van Sichem (Lantis, BIM procesmanager)
    3. Het EFCA – European Federation of Engineering Consultancy Associations: rol & verwezenlijkingen van het Digitalisation and BIM Committee
      • Joseph Ickmans (Chair Digitalisation and BlM Committee EFCA)
  • 17:00: Debate and Closing
  • 17:20: Reception
  • 19:00: End

The presentations will be held in English, French or Dutch according to the preference of the speaker. There will be no simultaneous translation.

IABSE Papers NL@B ONLINE (ZOOM)

The Dutch and Belgian National Groups of IABSE organize this seminar together. Twice a year, in the spring and in September (main Congress), IABSE organizes international symposia on a structural engineering theme in different parts of the world, which attracts more than 500 structural engineers worldwide.

This seminar consists of a selection of the Dutch and Belgian contributions to the 20th Congress of IABSE on site at New York City, 2019 with the theme The Evolving Metropolis. The seminar consists of presentations as on the following topics: fatigue assessment, orthotropic deck, hydraulic structures, accidents and calamities, durability existing structures, composite, GFRP, roof, structural behaviour, safety, failure, digital technology, parametric design, BIM..

The Dutch and Belgian National Groups of IABSE organize the seminar ‘IABSE Papers B@NL’ at Witteveen+Bos in Breda

The Dutch and Belgian National Groups of IABSE organize this seminar together. Twice a year, in the spring and in September (main symposium), IABSE organizes international symposia on a structural engineering theme in different parts of the world, which attracts more than 500 structural engineers worldwide. Last year the main symposium was organized in Nantes, France.

The seminar consists of a selection of the Dutch and Belgian contributions to the Nantes symposium and the conference in Copenhagen. The seminar consists of presentations as on the following topics: structures and architecture, land mark bridges, buckling instability, hybrid structures, robustness, reliability, existing bridges and renovation, proof load testing, strengthening and fatigue.

The Dutch and Belgian National Groups of IABSE organize the seminar ‘Vancouver - Engineering the Future’ at Witteveen+Bos in Breda

The Dutch and Belgian National Groups of IABSE organized this seminar together, with as main theme, the ‘Vancouver – Engineering the Future’ Congress. Once a year, in September, IABSE organizes an international symposium on a structural engineering theme in different parts of the world, which attracts more than 500 structural engineers. In 2017 this symposium was organized in Vancouver, Canada. The theme of this seminar corresponds to that of the international IABSE symposium that was organized in Vancouver.

The seminar consisted of a selection of the Dutch and Belgian contributions to the Vancouver symposium. The following topics were discussed on the seminar: structures and architecture, landmark bridges, arch buckling, hybrid structures, fibre reinforced polymer structures, robustness, reliability, existing bridges, load testing, strengthening and fatigue.

Structural Challenges in Soft Mobility

The issues around mobility in Belgium provide definite opportunities to further invest in infrastructure for soft road users. Achieving larger networks or improving the accessibility of urban environments for vulnerable road users are major challenges in our society. Pedestrian and bicycle bridges are hereby important landmark projects, radiating dynamism and representing a clear invitation for soft road users. This manifests itself not only in the design or in a successful integration in its environment or in the materials or details that are used, but also in the structural concepts being considered. Footbridges and bicycle bridges are lighter, but must still be suitable for current and future users. In Belgium, this infrastructure has entered the spotlight recently. The initiated projects, from all regions in Belgium, are numerous. The timely realisation of this entire infrastructure is after all very important.

With the organization of this seminar, the Belgian Group of IABSE wanted to launch an exchange of opinions and ideas, using a wide range of differing positions, views and ideas concerning the existing policies, architectural trends concerning pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, the development of such projects and some international examples.

The program consisted of lectures, presentations and discussions, offering a broad perspective on the entire theme of stadiums. Starting from policy views and needs, it further elaborated on the conceptual and architectural implementation and integration of these bridges in the environment and in society. The comfort requirements and creativity in the use of materials was discussed. Various structural solutions for pedestrian and bicycle bridges were explained on the basis of recent national and international designs or realisations. Finally, the evolution of soft mobility was discussed in the short as well as the long term.

Representatives from the academic sector, students, engineering offices, construction companies, consultants and inspection organizations as well as public and private owners were present.

The program also offered opportunities for questions and for discussion, thus stimulating numerous reactions and valuable comments.

Based on the contributions, presented by the speakers, each participant left the seminar, filled with interesting thoughts and stimulated for further discussion.

Stades - Stadions - Stadiums

The organization of major international sporting events is often accompanied by significant investments in new infrastructure. Sports stadiums are important landmarks and clearly express the strength an dynamism associated with the sport, and thus with the organizing bodies as well. This is not only reflected by the workmanship and detailing, but also in the structural and conceptual design. There are many recent examples in Europe and worldwide. This is also a current topic in Belgium, combined with a growing necessity in general for the big clubs for new multifunctional stadiums.
The program consisted of lectures, presentations and discussions, offering a broad perspective on the entire theme of stadiums. Starting from various architectural points of view, the conceptual evolution, creativity and typology – now and in the future – in the development of such multifunctional projects was discussed, as well as the cooperation between the architect and the structural engineer. In addition, the normative framework, i.e. both European and recent Belgian structural regulations, were presented. Finally, diverse structural solutions, including mobile and fixed roof structures, were illustrated, using recent international designs or realizations as reference.
The program also offered opportunities for asking questions and for discussion, thus trying to stimulate numerous reactions and valuable comments or concerns.