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Project managers looking to save money on their next construction project may be able to make very real savings if they use 4D planning, which has helped those in charge of building the Thames Tideway Tunnel save £1 million.
According to BIM Today, the project – the biggest infrastructure job ever to have been undertaken by the water industry in the UK – combined 3D models with the construction schedule to come up with a 4D plan to show how it will develop over time.
This allowed the construction teams to manage very congested sites with numerous activities happening simultaneously, as well as working with different subcontractors.
Holding regular planning sessions mean that the team was able to identify and manage clashes, as well as selecting the best methods of construction to help reduce delays and field-change requests.
During one such meeting, the team reviewed the site conditions in terms of safety and major deliverables to achieve an optimal solution, taking measurements on the 4D model to explore potential crane locations and identify asset protection requirements.
Consequently, the work schedule was changed to avoid unnecessary set-up and relocation, which meant that it took half as long to complete this phase of the project.
Thus far, the use of 4D planning and lean construction methodology has seen the programme reduced by 30 days, leading to £1 million in direct and indirect cost reductions.
The construction models created have also proved useful in engaging local residents, councils and community groups, those unfamiliar with reading traditional reports and technical drawings.
The tunnel itself is set to be completed in 2024, designed to help prevent overflow from the sewer system in London into the River Thames. A 25km super sewer is being constructed to protect the river, as well as local wildlife and communities.
The first section of the main tunnel has now been completed, with the sewer now reaching ten kilometres. Tunnel boring machines are, even now, at work below the city to create the main tunnel and two connection tunnels.
Site manager at Kirtling Street in the central section Paul Hallows said: “We celebrated two key milestones last week as we hit the 10km mark and completed the first section of the main tunnel, from Battersea to Fulham. We are getting closer every day to our goal of a cleaner River Thames and creating a better environment for London, its wildlife and its inhabitants.”
The super sewer has also just been shortlisted in the Building/Infrastructure Project of the Year category at the edie Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020.
And last year, it won first prize in the Sustainable mobility category, recognising its commitment to moving as much material by river instead of by road to reduce the impact on congestion, vulnerable road users and air quality.
if you;re in need of scaffolding in the Leeds area, get in touch with Burflex today.
