We have conducted a systematic review of BIM requirements in large, Norwegian infrastructure projects (design and build contracts of ≥500 million NOK) in roads and railways from the past 5 years, where the tender documents are publicly available. This includes a total of 16 projects, 9 of which are from Nye Veier , 2 from Bane NOR , and 6 from Statens Vegvesen . In the review, we identified a total of 30 BIM requirements across 4 categories: A General requirements (6 requirements), B Requirements for the content of BIM models made available to the owner (10), C Requirements for model functions (10), and D Model accessibility (4).
Novorender can help meet these requirements, read more about how here
Table of Contents
The BIM requirements are presented in Figure 1 and further described in the rest of the article. The occurrence of the requirements in the mentioned 16 projects is shown both in the figure and in the descriptions (see indicated [percentage]). Note: these are the most important identified BIM requirements and are therefore not an exhaustive list.
A General BIM Requirements
A.1 BIM Execution Plan [94%]: Requirement for an overall plan describing how Building Information Modeling (BIM) will be used throughout all project phases. The plan should include responsibilities, processes, schedules, data flow, involvement, and technological solutions to ensure effective BIM use. Statens Vegvesen has the most detailed specification for an extensive list of components that should be included in a BIM execution plan.
A.2 Model-based project (compliance with ISO 19650 parts 1 and 2) [100%]: Requirement that the design and execution of the project are based on a BIM model (where the information is structured and managed according to the standards ISO 19650 parts 1 and 2). This means that the models should include all geometries and information about objects that were traditionally documented through drawings and text, such as requirements for dimensions, calculations, or construction.
A.3 Viewer [100%]: Requirement for a 3D viewer that provides various stakeholders with access to the project information model with associated data. This solution should enable viewing and interaction with the BIM model without the need for specialized software, ensuring broad accessibility.
A.4 Project Information Model (“PIM”) according to ISO 19650 [88%]: Requirement for a structured digital model that contains all relevant information for a project, from design to completion, in accordance with ISO 19650. PIM is a key element in the project’s CDE and enables efficient information management. Statens Vegvesen and Nye Veier specify that the contractor must provide a PIM to the client, while Bane NOR has recently established its own PIM through the procurement of Novorender and requires that “all project members shall have access” [2]. Bane NOR’s latest system and information flow diagram centered around PIM is shown in Figure 2.
A.5 Common Data Environment (CDE) [82%]: Requirement for a common digital platform for storing, managing, and exchanging all project information throughout the project’s life cycle. CDE is a key concept in ISO 19650 and organizes documents, models, and other relevant data to ensure that all stakeholders have access to updated and consistent information, see Figure 3.
A.6 Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) [76%]: Requirement for using a framework for carrying out cross-functional construction projects, including BIM/3D visualization, digital collaboration, processes, organization, etc. An important and commonly used component of VDC is Integrated Concurrent Engineering (ICE), which centers around recurring, cross-functional meetings to review the design model and ensure project progress.
Novorender can help meet these requirements, read more about how here
B Model Content
B.1 Federated model [100%]: Requirement that the viewer/PIM provides access to a federated model of the project. Such a model consists of all the different discipline models in the project (architecture, electrical, drainage, construction, etc.), foundational models, and other models necessary for collaboration such as collision detection, model review, etc.
B.2 Model Maturity Index (MMI) [100%]: Requirement for using MMI and making it available via the viewer/PIM. The Model Maturity Index describes the maturity level of objects in models using pre-defined numerical codes, both in terms of geometry and information content.
B.3 Open formats [88%]: Requirement that data is delivered to the owner in a digital format typically maintained by a standards organization, such as IFC.
B.4 Terrain/GIS [88%]: Requirement that terrain data/GIS is visualized along with BIM and other data in the viewer/PIM, rather than through a separate tool.
B.5 Temporary measures [88%]: Requirement that temporary measures are directly visible in the viewer/available in the PIM during project execution. Examples include temporary constructions and installations during the construction phase, support structures, temporary roads, safety measures, etc.
B.6 Environment/SHA/RUH etc. [88%]: Requirement that information related to the external environment, safety, health, and working environment (in Norwegian abbreviated “SHA”), and Reporting of Undesirable Events (“RUH”), etc., is directly linked to the model and visualized through the viewer/PIM. External environment (“YM”) includes a wide range of information relevant to minimizing the project’s impact on the external environment, including environmental factors such as noise, pollution, landscape disruption, water quality, biodiversity, etc.
B.7 Operations & Maintenance Documentation [82%]: Requirement that operations and maintenance documentation is directly linked to the objects in the model and visualized through the viewer/PIM.
B.8 Drone footage and photos [65%]: Requirement for using drone footage (film and photos) for visual control and documentation of project progress, and for linking this to the model and visualizing it through the viewer/making it available as part of the PIM.
B.9 MWD data [53%]: Requirement that digital drilling logs are collected and handed over to the owner.
B.10 Point cloud [18%]: Requirement that point cloud data is integrated into the model in the viewer/PIM. The use of point cloud data is common in infrastructure projects, but it has been less common to integrate this data with BIM and other data. However, this has now become more or less standard in new projects.
Novorender can help meet these requirements, read more about how here
C Model Functions
C.1 Version control [100%]: Requirement that functionality is available for the owner to track and manage different versions of the models to ensure that all parties have access to updated information.
C.2 Quality control [100%]: Requirement that functionality is available for the owner to perform quality assurance and control on the model and data in the common data environment. Bane NOR specifies that quality assurance mechanisms should be applied to BIM objects when they progress between MMI levels (MMI: Model Maturity Index) in the model.
C.3 Checklists/systematic completion [100%]: Requirement for integrated checklists and systematic processes to ensure that all necessary steps are followed in project completion, directly linked to the model and visualized in the viewer/PIM.
C.4 Geometric control [88%]: Requirement for functions to check geometric consistency between the model and as-built conditions, for example, by visualizing deviations between the model and the result of laser scanning (point cloud) in the viewer/PIM.
C.5 Filtering/grouping/searching [82%]: Requirement that the viewer/PIM supports filtering, grouping, searching, etc., in the model.
C.6 Replace 2D drawings [76%]: Requirement to reduce/eliminate the use of 2D drawings, typically in addition to the requirement for a model-based project. It is expected that this is done via the BIM model, where information should “display information that replaces drawings according to Statens Vegvesen Handbook R700 ” (example from Nye Veier’s requirement formulation) [3].
C.7 Link to documentation [76%]: Requirement to link documents, such as descriptions, specifications, and manuals, directly to relevant objects in the model for easy access via the viewer/PIM.
C.8 Measurement functions [71%]: Requirement for tools to perform accurate measurements directly on the model in the viewer/PIM, including distances, areas, volumes, etc.
C.9 Task/issue management [71%]: Requirement for functionality to manage and follow up on tasks and issues directly in the model, including registering errors, deviations, and progress reporting.
C.10 Collision control [6%]: The ability to define and run collision tests to identify any conflicts between objects in the model. The requirement for this functionality as part of the viewer/PIM is a new requirement introduced in Statens Vegvesen’s latest landmark project, E134 Oslofjordforbindelsen.
Novorender can help meet these requirements, read more about how here
D Model Accessibility
D.1 Mobile devices [88%]: Requirement that the viewer/PIM is available on mobile devices. Bane NOR further requires “Digital Byggeplass” (Digital construction site), which demand that “the supplier shall adapt models for use in the construction and production of the facility.”
D.2 Quick & easy access [71%]: Explicit requirement that the viewer/PIM should be quickly and easily accessible to the user, for example, Nye Veier: “available in near real-time,” Statens Vegvesen: “must be user-friendly and have a loading time of max 1 minute.”
D.3 Automatic updates [53%]: Requirement that features and data in the viewer/PIM are automatically updated for the user (for example, Nye Veier: “updates and new functionalities should not require any action from the user of the viewer”).
D.4 Offline [47%]: Requirement that the viewer/PIM is available without internet coverage.
In selected projects, there is significant variation in the number and selection of BIM requirements, both across projects and clients. For example, Nye Veier has an average of the most requirements per project (25), followed by Statens Vegvesen (22) and Bane NOR (17) – see Figure 4.
Over time, there has been a development where more and more requirements are imposed per project, and the implementation of the different requirements has become more standardized, both per client in line with the development of central BIM functions, but also across clients through the introduction of, for example, ISO 19650 with related terminology (Common Data Environment [CDE], Project Information Model [PIM], etc.). See the development in the average number of BIM requirements per project over time in Figure 5.
Common recent requirements include cloud-based viewer/PIM, performance requirements on loading time, offline availability, as well as support for automatic updates (e.g., Nye Veier: “updates and new functionalities should not require any action from the user”). Furthermore, it is now standard that almost all project data is directly linked to the model, such as GIS/terrain data, temporary measures, Environment/SHA/RUH, drone footage/photos, point cloud, and drilling logs (MWD data), etc.
Novorender can help meet these requirements, read more about how here
Project Sources:
Other sources:
[2] Bane NOR’s tender documents for the project Capacity-increasing Measures Trønderbanen [KTT], BIM Requirements
[3] Statens Vegvesen’s Handbook R700 Drawing Basis
