The Antwerp police are getting a new office in the Lange Gasthuisstraat. At the same time, the sewerage system has also been completely renewed. Given that the new police station is located in an interior area with quite a few differences in level, the construction of the sewerage system brought the necessary challenges with it. A well-designed BIM model, with all the necessary sewerage components from Deschacht's BIM library, ensured an efficient and correct execution on the construction site.
To realize the new police station, the existing building in Lange Gasthuisstraat will be demolished while preserving the historically valuable facade. Behind the facade, a new office will be built with an underground parking garage. On the Vleminckveld side, a new building will also be constructed featuring an entrance to the underground parking. For the execution of the works, AG Vespa is calling upon main contractor STRABAG, which in turn enlisted Aquatec and Deschacht's products for the renewed sewerage system. Specifically, this involves PE pipes, fittings, and prefabricated PE manholes, as well as accompanying welding equipment for the largest diameters. “The construction site is located between two terraced houses and extends all the way back to the parallel street at the rear. All level differences had to be meticulously respected because many crossings were planned between the various pipeline flows,” says Cédric Haverhals, managing director of Aquatec. “All those details are difficult to visualize on a 2D plan. That is why we cast the entire sewerage plan into a BIM model, allowing us to avoid design errors,” adds Nigel Gerrits, BIM coordinator at STRABAG.
Complete sewer product range in a single library
STRABAG used Deschacht's BIM library for its BIM model. The supplier has been building an extensive BIM library for four years now, in which virtually all sewerage products are integrated. “Deschacht is a supplier, not a manufacturer. That is why our BIM library offers the major advantage that products from all our different brands can be integrated into a single BIM model,” says Filip Roels, BIM Manager at Deschacht. “On the market, you typically have either manufacturers” brand-specific libraries, which contain only their own products with their own software packages that do not communicate smoothly with BIM objects from other brands. On the other hand, there are also generic BIM libraries, but they have the disadvantage that the objects are not accurate enough to utilize the full potential of a BIM study. For example, level differences are not correctly included in a generic library, while those are precisely crucial when constructing a new sewerage system. At Deschacht, we offer a total package with which the customer can successfully complete a sewerage project from A to Z.“ Another plus is that the virtual BIM model can easily be translated into 2D implementation plans to get to work with on the construction site. ”In our sector, workers are not on the site with tablets or laptops; they need a correct implementation plan on paper, and that is perfectly possible with our BIM library," says Filip Roels.
Efficient and user-friendly
“Deschacht's BIM library is very well put together,” agrees Nigel Gerrits. “The BIM families are in great shape, meaning that as a user you only need to adjust a few parameters to integrate a customized rainwater pit or a specific pipe bend into your BIM model. The library is also very user-friendly. With the help of the manual, I was able to get started right away. Deschacht's BIM library is unique. It is the first time I have encountered such an extensive BIM library of drainage products, and it also offers the advantage of not being tied to a single manufacturer.” Deschacht does not yet draw the BIM model itself; that task remains with the contractor. “In the long term, the ambition is also to fully transition to 3D internally at Deschacht, whereby we will offer the drawing of 3D drainage plans as a service to our customers,” explains Filip Roels. “In the meantime, we continue to constantly tweak and improve our library. New products are always being added. Because we handle the management in-house, we can also respond quickly and make adjustments upon customer request.”
“BIM was indispensable”
“The BIM library from Deschacht has definitely contributed to a smooth execution of the sewer system. A detailed BIM model was indispensable for a complex project like this, says Nigel Gerrits. That is precisely what BIM is all about: avoiding design errors to save time and costs during execution. Aquatec is also a satisfied customer. Deschacht delivers quality products that greatly simplify installation. Furthermore, the large stock that is always available and the extensive network of branches is a must for Aquatec, as our company is active throughout Flanders, concludes Cédric Haverhals.
Strabag
400 employees in Belgium
