How to transfer the models with all the necessary information for building for workers to the construction site? Especially on a linear project, such as infrastructure with roads and bridges, where huge distances and weather elements have to be taken into account?

One of the solutions is to use a BIM station, or, how it is called in Norwegian, a BIM kiosk.

Picture: A BIM kiosk, or a BIM station, together with printer

The contractor set a BIM station at the construction site so that everyone could have access to the current model. That was not only for the workers who executed the installation, but also for the staff, the client, or any of the suppliers or guests that were already on-site. It enabled to explain in a quick way what the bridge or its elements looked like. The challenge came when the contractor had to build the construction according to the model. As all measures, cross-sections, and all the properties of an element could be checked on the computer, there were always questions about how to install the rebars without the drawings.

Solibri software was in use since the beginning of the project. BIM stations had all up-to-date IFC files read by Solibri via Dropbox as this software does not work on its own cloud solution. People got used to working on that one and just printed out some of the print screens and then described them manually.

The next step of developing it was an ongoing process via cloud server Trimble Connect where the contractor could make many different views with assigned information by them. They were then saved and shared to all people that worked on the project (and sent to the BIM station). This could be taken also outside and once prepared, it can be used on IPads directly. This solution ensured that the contractor would have the latest data available. Also once it was created it was possible to easily edit anything wanted, while the paper drawings, in this case, have to be done from the beginning.