Bentley Systems

Crack detection surveys are pivotal for maintaining the integrity and safety of public roads in the United States, which span over 4 million miles. Traditionally, this involves people walking along road surfaces to take pictures and using measuring tapes or wheels to document and analyze wear and tear. Engineering firm Benesch updated their approach to crack detection surveying using AI and machine learning technologies integrated with Bentley software for bridge monitoring. Drone-captured site images were fed through the system to generate digital twins of each location. Combining AI, ML, and digital twin technologies enabled Benesch to markedly increase the precision and efficiency of its data-gathering tasks while reducing the risk environmental hazards pose to inspectors and minimizing disruptions to local traffic. #engineering #civilengineering #IoT #AI, #ML #assetmanagement #construction

The Semantok Dam in East Java, Indonesia is the longest dam in Southeast Asia. Located in the Nganjuk District, the enormous dam has a crest length of 3,100 meters and can accommodate 32.6 million cubic meters of water with a pond area of 365 hectares. It provides clean water for approximately 143,000 residents. The Nganjuk District experiences heavy annual rainfall, resulting in frequent flooding due to poor rainwater infiltration in the Semantok River upstream. The Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of Indonesia initiated the development of the USD 87.9 million Semantok Dam to help reduce the impact of flooding on the area. The dam, now operational, reduces flood discharge from 822 cubic meters (per second) to 574 cubic meters and ensures water availability in both rainy and dry seasons. Additionally, the dam irrigates 1,900 hectares of agricultural land, significantly boosting rice production, and contributing directly to the increase of agriculture yields for farmers and residents. PT. Hutama Karya (Persero) tackled the project’s unique geotechnical design challenges – including incorporating sandy soil as fill material, reducing excavation, and improving safety – and construction tasks that began in 2017. The team used Bentley software to perform reality modeling and construction simulations saving an estimated USD 1.8 million in rework and 183 days in the construction schedule for the project. [Images: View of rice fields in Indonesia. Different aerial renderings of Semantok Dam. Software screenshots showing the analyses to model soil fill and evaluate various designs to meet the slope safety requirements for construction and operations.] #cleanwater #engineering #geotechnical #infrastructure #dams #watermanagement #construction #indonesia #Seequent

Traditionally viewed as slower to adopt new technologies when compared to other sectors, construction is experiencing a shift. Forward-thinking firms and project owners are embracing cutting-edge tech solutions like 4D construction modeling to improve project timelines, risk assessment, and collaboration methods. Here's how: https://bit.ly/43uxMTs

India's Chenab Bridge is the highest railway bridge in the world. Spanning a gorge through a rugged mountain pass in the Himalayas the bridge is 359 meters tall and features a steel arch that would clear the Eiffel Tower by 30 meters. It also boasts the longest broad-gauge railway span and the longest arch for rail traffic at 467 meters. The entire length of the arch bridge is 1,315 meters. Construction was not easy in an active seismic zone. Workers and engineers faced gaping valleys with steep, rocky slopes, and extreme weather. To conquer these challenges, the team used cutting-edge technology to help design and plan the bridge with incredible precision, ensuring its ability to withstand earthquakes and harsh winters. Hit the link in the comments to learn more about this engineering wonder. [📸 Images: Photo illustration of Chenab Bridge arc height comparison to the Eiffel Tower. Chenab Bridge as seen from an observation deck via Wikimedia Commons. Aerial view of design renderings depicting the rugged terrain along the river separating two construction sites.] #realitymodeling #engineering #infrastructure #railway #bridge #construction #chenabBridge #India

Numerous roadways cut across migration paths and wildlife habitats in the U.S., including Colorado's I-70. The area's mountainous terrain provides a habitat for a diverse array of animals, from mule deer and elk to Canada lynx, black bears, and various other species. Unfortunately, when migration routes intersect with roads, the result can be dangerous for wildlife and vehicle passengers. So, how will the mule deer cross the road? John Kronholm, a resident engineer with the Colorado Department of Transportation is leading a project to build six wildlife crossings on Vail Pass to help animals avoid collisions. Kronholm used data analysis and 3D models to identify the best locations and designs for the crossings, saving millions of dollars in the process. Continue reading to learn more about this work: https://bit.ly/4bt8Lup #engineering #roadways #3Dmodeling #infrastructure #construction #wildlife #wildlifecrossing

In the heart of Hong Kong, Kowloon East has undergone significant transformation in recent years, focusing on creating a pedestrian-friendly environment and incorporating green spaces. Once a bustling industrial district, it is now at the forefront of Hong Kong's smart city initiative, embracing digital technology to enhance urban planning, development, and disaster management. The government's Smart City Blueprint, launched in 2017, focuses on leveraging digital infrastructure to foster a better living and working environment. The densely populated Kowloon East was the pilot area to produce photorealistic textured 3D models of the city's buildings and infrastructure. Engineering firm Avineon India processed and generated the 3D models, which serve as one of the key elements for developing the city’s 3D digital map. The team was challenged with integrating large amounts of data from multiple sources, encompassing aerial imagery, LiDAR, mobile imagery, and as-built drawings. Using Bentley software helped them to unify the data in a single digital environment to process and create 3D images. The detailed 3D models provide the basis of Kowloon East’s 3D digital map, which is one of the core elements of Hong Kong's smart city initiative. These digital maps, which are publicly available, are not just visually impressive; they have become valuable tools for city planners, policymakers, and the community at large in urban planning, land use management, and serving the public good. [Images: View of Kowloon from Beacon Hill via Wikimedia. Top-down city view of Hong Kong. 3D renderings of Kowloon East. A 3D CityGML model of a building.] #smartcity #3Dmodeling #technology #iTwin #infrastructure #engineering #hongkong

Can you name the 4 C's of hydraulic modeling? In case you missed it, tune in to this #WaterExpertsUnfiltered podcast to learn what they are, and listen 🎧 as our water experts discuss the benefits of hydraulic modeling for water and wastewater management. https://bit.ly/4fcscdM #water #wastewater #utilities #watermanagement #hydraulicmodeling #podcast

Overlooking Union Station and three blocks from the U.S. Capitol, the outdated office building located at 20 Massachusetts Avenue was set to undergo its transformation to become a mixed-use experiential urban destination. Instead of demolishing and rebuilding from scratch, the project team remodeled the complex to save time and resources, resulting in less environmental impact. They expanded the building to 523,000 square feet and increased the height and width. The building, completed in 2023, now includes eco-friendly and advanced technological elements for hotel guests and office users. DPR Construction carried out a detailed design and pre-construction planning using Bentley software, determining that using prefabrication would keep the project on track and reduce disruption to the local Washington, D.C. community. This approach cut two months off the construction timeline, which started in April 2022. By repurposing the existing 20 Mass structure, they eliminated CO2 emissions by 6,905 metric tons. The building’s 50-year history as office space for the federal government is now the past as its visual and experiential relationship to the Massachusetts Avenue corridor and the surrounding neighborhood has been transformed. #construction #engineering #infrastructure #washingtonDC #20Mass

Ancient engineering and ingenuity! Archaeologists have uncovered a crucial piece of the construction puzzle of the Egyptian pyramids – a long-lost branch of the Nile River. Although this stretch of Western Desert Plateau foothills is largely inhospitable terrain today, it is believed the 64-km-long branch is how builders managed to transport the materials needed to construct 31 pyramids in Egypt, including the world-famous pyramids of Giza. Researchers used satellite imagery, geophysical surveys, and sediment cores to confirm the presence of river sediments and former channels beneath the land surface, indicating the presence of a former branch. More about this interesting discovery: https://bit.ly/4fiqNm2 #engineering #construction

Rail Baltica is ONE of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe currently underway. This ambitious 870km high-speed railway network will integrate the Baltic states into the European railway network. Engineering consulting firm, IDOM designed 389 km (44% of the total line) in six different sections, which included 44 railway viaducts, 50 road viaducts, 15 bridges, 17 wildlife crossings, and power systems for the entire railway line. Using Bentley software for 3D modeling and clash detection helped them to facilitate smooth coordination among hundreds of companies and a global team of 150 multidisciplinary engineers. The complex cross-border railway project aims to be fully operational by 2030. Once completed, Rail Baltica will be fully electrified. This translates to an 18.3% reduction in CO2 emissions, leading to cleaner air and a quieter environment with 4.5% less noise pollution. H/T to The B1M's video highlighting Bentley's role in helping to bring Rail Baltica to life. #engineering #digitaltwin #realitymodeling #3Dmodeling #infrastructure #construction #sustainability #RailBaltica