There is a lot of different BIM-software on the market. One should choose the most suitable for the given task, depending on the purpose and on the type of structure as buildings or linear construction such as roads, tunnels, or bridges.
It is important to use some time to find the right software since this decision is connected with money (the licenses and courses cost) and time for implementing them in the project. And once a choice is made, it is difficult to change the software in the middle of the project.
On the Randselva Bridge project, the software was chosen on the base that it should be universal and already tested on a real bridge project. Below we present and describe the programs that were used for different tasks on the project.
Solibri Office is a Management Tool for the BIM-methodology. The user is able to view, analyze and comment on the current model. It has more functionality than the single viewer although the layouts are the same at first.
The Solibri Anywhere is limited in additional views and therefore cannot produce any new issues. When using the Anywhere instead of the Office, the user can only see issues/slides but cannot create his own ones. There is a Solibri Site version that adds some of the functionality to the normal Viewer (like Issue Sorter etc.).
Software tool provide the possibility to load neutral exchange formats like IFC as well as their own format SMC.
Figure: Actual status of the material delivered (Solibri)
Collaboration tool and cloud storage of all IFC files that are accessible for all stakeholders of the project. Easily could be updated directly from the designer 3D authoring software and works on every platform as Ipads, Android, and Windows. Used also for communication between parties about clashes or errors in the model to make the process of revisions faster and more clear.
Figure: Task manager (Trimble Connect)
The Contractor has been testing the right model for the AR tool called Trimble Site Vision. This is connected with Trimble Connect server where they stored the IFC files so the access to the live Model was with this tool very comfortable. Trimble Connect made the application available to export the views to a native file that can be loaded into the Site Vision AR tool. It is important because before it was only possible to load the whole IFC files. This tool can be useful for client quality control on-site in regards to making the relevant checklist before construction proceeds.
Figure: Trimble Site Vision – AR tool in use