The Skanska, Costain and Strabag (SCS) joint venture constructing the southern section of HS2 is using Zutec software to deliver its ‘Digital Blueprint for BIM’.
SCS’s digital strategy aims to connect data models with information flow, remove paper from construction sites, and improve accuracy and quality through direct digital connections. To help it achieve this, the team has implemented Zutec’s construction management software.
In the first phase of the digital information flow project, all inspection and test plans (ITPs), permitting, site communication, red lining, as-builts and management of temporary works are integrated with the data model, digitising approximately five million quality check sheets. As a result the ITP sign-off process has been reduced from 21 days to four.
Furthermore, the design team has been able to review and sign off piling records without going to site, Zutec said.
SCS’s approach offers health and safety, time, cost, data security, environmental and quality benefits by enabling data in forms to be pre-populated from the model, forms to be filled out and reviewed digitally, and full audit trails. Using Zutec enables SCS to reduce the number of digital platforms staff have to use, as well as response times, by up to 80%.
The Zutec software has allowed SCS to streamline site inspections with automated workflows, notifications and PIN-secured signatures in a common data environment.
It has also allowed SCS to package the final handover documentation almost instantly and provide an environment for all involved to input more accurate records into the digital twin.
To date, the system has been rolled out to 550 staff and 48 subcontractors, and is set to grow to more than 1,500 users and 80 companies in 2022.
Peter Ruff, head of BIM for SCS HS2, said: “During this project, Zutec has demonstrated the true value of digital twins in asset management. The software also proved to be a lifeline during the pandemic, as it allowed us to adopt cloud technology quickly and efficiently, and still hit all of our key milestones. We were even able to adapt quickly to provide training and support remotely, thereby ensuring site teams felt comfortable and secure in using the product.”
Tom Boland, global head of digitalisation at Zutec, said: “The use of Zutec on HS2 shows how digital tools can transform construction projects of every size. This is truly a key moment in history and a perfect example of what the future of the industry holds if it continues to take the plunge into digitisation and embraces the power of technology.”
