Windyhill Case Study

A Phased 4D BIM model for a feasibility scheme at LOD200 containing two design options

DACI played a pivotal role in supporting Kirby's in the early stages of The Windyhill substation which is currently in the process of being retrofitted to a 275kV Substation.

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EHV
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Substation & Transmission
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Windyhill, UK
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Confidential
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Project Overview

DACI played a pivotal role in supporting Kirby's in the early stages of The Windyhill substation which is currently in the process of being retrofitted to a 275kV Substation. The feasibility study was ordered by SPEN to proactively identify potential issues with a further upgrade to 400kV Substation.

A Phased 4D BIM model for a feasibility scheme at LOD200 containing two design options.

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Project Facts

Project Overview

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A model of the existing site as it was at the beginning of the project.

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A model of what the site would look like following the current set of 275kV works

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2 different Design options for the upgrade to a 400kV substation

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All phased correctly and within the same model.

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Voltage
275kV to 400kV
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Deliverable
Phased 4D BIM model at LOD200
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Stage
Feasibility
Our Scope

DACI Scope of Work

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Existing Site Terrain Model
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Existing and Proposed GIS Hall Structures and Envelope
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Existing 275kV and 132kV Legacy Asset Model
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New 400kV GIB Routing and Supports, and Electrical Equipment and Foundations (CVT, SA, PI, ES)
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New Cable Trenching and Routing, and New Earthing Grid
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Transformer Integration (400kV to 275kV / 400kV to 132kV), and Coordination and Clash Detection
Engineering Challenges

Obstacles

Early in the project issues were identified with the provided point cloud survey information which was delayed in its delivery and additionally didn't contain the required level of detail especially with regards to cable trenching and ducting. This pushed the programme and started the project off on the wrong foot.

01

Point Cloud Survey Information

Early in the project issues were identified with the provided point cloud survey information which was delayed in its delivery and additionally didn't contain the required level of detail especially with regards to cable trenching and ducting. This pushed the programme and started the project off on the wrong foot.
02

BIM Concepts and Project Management

Due to the lack of understanding in the kirby project management team when it comes to BIM concepts DACI had to tack a leading role in meetings with SPEN especially in the area of timelines, level of details and model expectations early in the project.
03

Ducting and Trenching

There is a dense network of ducting and trenching on the site due to the previous and current works as such this led to a large number of drawings with conflicting information around the positioning of these.
04

Information Consolidation

A significant amount of work was required to consolidate all the information past and present into a usable model.
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Outcome

DACI was able to steer the project back on course despite the initial setbacks

  • We delivered a total of 18 drawings and a 4D Model.
  • DACI through meetings were able to control the scope slipping through regular meeting and were able to complete a model to previously agreed timeframes with only minimal comments and changes required from SPEN and Kirby's
  • SPEN were very pleased with the level detail contained within the model.

Wider Impact

Technical Expertise

Windyhill is DACI's Breakout project not just in 400kV but also in BIM Modelling.

With BIM becoming a mainstay of national infrastructure projects adoption of BIM will become a more necessary step to stay competitive into the future. Windyhill demonstrates that the internal expertise are already in place to actively take charge of these types of projects and deliver projects to a high level.

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