Allplan
A "Single Source of Truth" for the AEC Industry

Due to the lack of a “single source of truth” for a project, misunderstandings and possible inconsistencies become major problems in the bridge construction industry,” begins Gregor Strekelj, Product Manager Infrastructure at Allplan. Bridges are essentially complex structures, not just in the geometric sense, but especially due to their structural behavior during the construction process.

Also, these engineering marvels leverage different construction technologies, which must correspond to both the bridge type and the terrain conditions. Many variants are worked out until the final one is selected, and each change before then can cause time delays Owing to the time-consuming and laborintensive nature of the design process, companies oftentimes bypass the stage of comparing different variants to determine the best quality version. This can negatively impact the final design of the bridge. What is more, modifications, as well as time-consuming synchronizations, are part of the daily business in bridge design. Many aged bridge structures have been rated as inadequate or unsatisfactory globally. The reasons for this low quality are manifold. On one hand, external influences such as a sharp increase in stress due to higher traffic volumes, temperature fluctuations, or corrosion caused by road salt directly affect the maintenance of bridges. On the other hand, there are construction and planning-related causes that lead to faulty construction from the very beginning. Furthermore, economic researchers have found that nine out of ten infrastructure projects are not completed within the estimated timeframe and cost.
That’s where Allplan does wonders.

Allplan is a global provider of BIM design software for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Staying true to its “Design to Build” tagline, the company covers the entire process—from the first concept to the final detailed design for the construction site and for prefabrication. “Although BIM is the right solution to avoid many complexities during bridge construction, companies should not settle for just any BIM. In structural engineering, it has now proven practical for various reasons to use several specialist models instead of a common model, which are later merged and checked for collisions,” says Strekelj. In bridge construction, however, the situation is different. In Allplan’s view, the enormous complexity here clearly requires a “single source of truth”. This means that a single parametric 4D model is needed that bidirectionally combines geometry, structural analysis, and design. This is what Allplan has achieved in a ground-breaking way with Allplan Bridge—a professional BIM solution for bridge construction.

Implementing and Adapting Complex Structural Designs with Ease

Since October 2019, Allplan Bridge 2020 has been the world’s first, fully-integrated solution, in which a common parametric model is used for both structural analysis and design.

As the “icing on the cake,” traffic loading and design and code-checking was added as a preview last April and was fully completed in October.This included Earthquake Analysis, ultimately closing the gap between structural analysis and design. “Further, the new version, Allplan Bridge 2021, maps the complete BIM process in bridge projects and enables bridge engineers to work with on single solution from the creation of a parametric 4D model to structural analysis, reinforcement design, and detailing,” adds Dan Istvan, Vice President - Americas at Allplan.For example, by using Allplan Bridge, one of the clients was able to create a parametric bridge model that automatically generated correct geometry based on the values entered. For a carriageway, variable slab widths for the channel bridge could be easily modeled for arch compensation, or cross girder heights for slope compensation could be adjusted using Boolean operators for the constant carriageway slab thickness. In the words of the clients as to how Allplan helped them, “By switching to Allplan Bridge during ongoing project processing, we have succeeded in achieving error-free modeling of the new replacement canal and foreshore bridge in the course of the motorway A1 near Osnabrück. Allplan Bridge makes it possible to implement complex structural designs and to adapt them to demanding route layouts. Arched structures in composite construction with subsequent semi-integral and haunched prestressed concrete structures could thus be harmonized despite differently routed gradient girder axes.”

Championing a Superior Modeling Solution

Such has been the prowess that Allplan has garnered by serving many such reputed clients. Even during the pandemic, the company has been at the forefront by rightly adapting to the occurring changes. “The pandemic has affected fundamental aspects of everyone’s daily lives, from the way we work and learn to how we shop and socialize, “explains Istvan. To this end, Allplan has further evolved its cloudbased solutions, and invested in automation to streamline the workflow and support its clientele. “Eliminating siloed workflow is what we have been concentrating upon— especially at a time when everyone is working remotely. The goal here is to support our clients in any which way possible,” mentions Istvan. “There may even be changes to building regulations to reduce density in offices or other settings as a result of the pandemic—though it is too early to say if this will come to pass. But it is certain that post-COVID architecture will be different to what the industry has known for some time.”

As of now, Allplan is striving to better understand customer requirements to decide their modus operandi. “In the next versions of our solution, the proportion of customercentric development will increase. We are always driven by ease of use, efficiency, and innovation,” states Simon Slater, Senior Vice President of Allplan. Currently, the company is planning extensions for modeling and structural analysis, among others. “International standards are an important part of our solution, as bridge construction projects are carried out worldwide and our solution is currently being used in 30 countries. We always follow the latest IFC requirements for bridges. Additionally, in October, we will provide a superior modeling solution for precast girder bridges. In any case, we never run out of ideas,” concludes Strekelj.