54
Geotechnical News •March 2015
GEO-INTEREST
Of course, sharing of geotechnical
data digitally is nothing new. Geo-
technical data management systems
such as Keynetix’s HoleBASE SI, for
example, manages all of a project’s
geotechnical factual and interpreted
data. The extension for AutoCAD
Civil 3D also allows visualisation of
information, such as geological sur-
faces, for use in both BIM models and
the AutoCAD environment.
However the sharing of interpreted
data appears to be a big sticking point
for incorporating geotechnical infor-
mation in BIM. While data is com-
monly shared between geotechnical
companies, it is rarely shared with the
rest of the team.
It appears many geotechnical teams
are reluctant to supply digital data
as they cannot separate factual from
interpreted information. This means
they are concerned by the possibility
of interpretative data being misused.
In fact, better data sharing should
actually lead to a more complete
understanding of the project – result-
ing in informed decision-making – and
improved collaboration should reduce
the risk of interpreted data being
misused.
Having a clear image of the proposed
design and access to full project infor-
mation will also enable optimisatiion
of the site investigation.
Furthermore, having access to field
data in real time and incorporating it
into BIM almost immediately gives
the opportunity to refocus sampling
and testing mid-investigation. This
should deliver more useful data,
reducing risk and saving money in the
long term.
One of BIM’s biggest benefits, as far
as geotechnical teams are concerned,
is the opportunity to share the vision
and concerns for the ground condi-
tions.
More significantly, recognition by
other project team members of the
critical importance of high quality
geotechnical information in creating
an accurate BIM model will rein-
force the messages that thorough site
investigation can reduce risk and the
geotechnics is an integral part of the
entire project.
HoleBASE SI Extension for
AutoCAD® Civil 3D
The HoleBASE SI Extension for
AutoCAD® Civil 3D allows quick
and easy inclusion of geotechnical and
site investigation data in BIM models
and CAD drawings. It provides:
• Geotechnical models for BIM
• Dynamic Integration of geotechni-
cal data in the AutoCAD Civil 3D
environment
• Visualisation of geotechnical bor-
ing data, allowing creation of 3D
borehole layouts and sub-surfaces
• Dynamic geotechnical profiles and
sections in seconds
• Civil point groups and surfaces
from any data stored in HoleBASE
SI
• The facility to use standard Au-
todesk Civil 3D commands.
Gary Morin
Technical Director
Keynetix, Systems House, Burnt
Meadow Road, Redditch, B98 9PA,
UK, email:
BIM allows access to data in real time, giving the opportunity to refocus
sampling and testing mid-investigation.
Incorporating geotechnical data in BIM gives the ability to create sections in
seconds.
