Application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technologies on hardfill dam construction

Building Information Modeling (BIM) technologies are steadily gaining ground within the International sectors of Design, Management and Construction of Technical Projects, suggesting revolutionary methods and tools. The double purpose of this dissertation is the theoretical overview and presentation of BIM technology, and the examination of the practical issues and the value of the implementation of BIM on Large Infrastructure Projects, such as dams. To begin with, Building Information Modeling has been defined and described. The value of BIM for Project Management, Design and Construction as well as the profits of its use and the changes to the entire project delivery process that BIM is proposing, have been analyzed. The most important elements of organization of BIM have been explained. What is more, the level of international implementation of BIM at the present time has been examined, both for Technical Projects in general, and for Infrastructure Projects specifically. For the practical implementation of BIM technology on hardfill dam construction, a Building Information Model has been fully developed using Autodesk Revit. The dam examined is Valsamiotis Dam in Chania. The implementation of BIM 4D, that is to say, the incorporation of a time schedule to the project, has been attempted using Autodesk Navisworks. For this purpose the Revit B.I. Model has been linked with Navisworks, so as to create and simulate the time schedule for the construction of the project. Finally, BIM 5D technology has been implemented by extracting quantification elements and performing basic cost estimation of the project in Autodesk Navisworks.