4 WAYS TO ENHANCE EARTHWORK EFFICIENCY THROUGH CIM
There are several reasons why we advocate that you should use CIM (Civil Information Modeling) in your earthwork projects. CIM is equivalent to BIM (Building Information Modeling) but for horizontal construction. The primary advantage of CIM is the benefit it provides to our client partnerships. We seamlessly integrate our modeling work into their workstreams, which allows them to plan their resources and their projects most efficiently. When CIM processes are incorporated into civil engineering workflows, the result is far better than when it is not, including higher profits for contractors!
CIM is equivalent to BIM (Building Information Modeling) but for horizontal construction
#1 – Project Enhancements
The value that CIM brings to earthwork is realized in a few different ways. One way is when the 3D model identifies issues that can be problem-solved and addressed before the bucket even hits the dirt. Every year, millions of dollars are spent resolving problems that could have been identified earlier through the implementation of CIM processes. When unexpected issues come up such as utility or septic pipes being found during the excavation phase, it will result in costly re-work. Communicating to stakeholders early on about anything that was identified becomes a lot easier when CIM practices are in place. Another example is through the usage of software programs that provide real-time information. Today, there are so many software programs options available for sale on the market. Investing in them allows each project participant to be up to date with the details and allows them to transparency needed at every stage ensure the project’s success and maximize profits.
#2 & #3 – Increased Accuracy and Reduced Change Orders
Another way that CIM positively impacts profit is the accuracy it provides for detailing existing conditions. This benefit allows for more reliable cost estimates and a more accurate depiction of the site. Having knowledge of the various materials on the job site before starting construction factors into a more precise cut and fill analysis. A third way is a reduction in the number of change orders that can happen. Everyone can appreciate how frustrating and delaying changes can be, especially when they are not communicated to everyone who needs to know about them. When CIM is used, the higher transparency in planning means less waste and fewer revisions, resulting in more dollars staying in your pocket.
#4 – Strategic Project Planning & Execution
An effective and recommended strategy for CIM workflows is the collection and analysis of detailed project lifecycle data. This is an excellent way to determine what worked well and what didn’t. With that information, lessons learned can be applied to improving future projects. One proven method is for the project team to create templates based on the lifecycle for future use in similar projects. Keeping the templates up to date is essential as technology evolves quickly from one year to the next and therefore the templates should have flexibility built in for ease of use.
In Our Experience
A common example of how CIM can be beneficial is the American Disabilities Act, which sets the standard slopes for sidewalks and handicap parking. We commonly see that engineers fail to consider these slope standards in their designs, creating sidewalks with more than 2% cross slopes and accessible parking areas that exceed 2% slope in all directions. When we see this, we let our client know. This allows the problem to be addressed before any dirt has been moved on site. Investing in your projects by applying CIM processes allows everyone to get an accurate visual of the project at completion. It improves agility, transparency, and efficiency. Collectively, those will increase your profits. If you have any questions about CIM or anything else related to earthwork efficiency, give us a call.