BE Magazine - Volume 4, Issue 3 - (Page 53)

PLANT The four secondary settlement tanks—each 46 meters in diameter, the largest ever built for United Utilities—are on an adjacent greenﬁeld. That siting required approval by the local planning authority, and in order to maintain the project’s fast-track schedule, GCA had to secure approval on the ﬁrst attempt. Atkins used 3D images at public hearings to show the visual impact of locating the new tanks on the greenﬁeld. The visuals helped gain buy-in from residents of the adjacent housing development who use the public footpath around the perimeter of the property. Not only was the proposed site development approved, but the project evoked so much enthusiasm that the local school used videos of the modeling as part of an educational project and scheduled site visits at various construction stages. “This is an ongoing relationship that started with the early planning consultants and is one that both the team and the client are keen to continue going forward,” Heath said. “The 3D visualization was without a doubt beneﬁcial to the project in gaining stakeholder conﬁdence in both the design and construction phases.” Optimizing safety and operations taken out of service at any time to enable the replacement of aerators and bafﬂes. Simulating the procedure proved that it was possible. The models also enabled designers to optimize access stairways and platforms that operators use to get to the decant valves on sludge storage tanks. Each of the four 12-meter-tall tanks has up to 12 manually operated valves for drawing off sludge liquors. The models illustrated the valve locations and how they could be Atkins’ water and environment business operates within a distributed enterprise called the Integrated Alliance South (IAS), comprised of United Utilities, GCA, and Montgomery Watson Harza. Atkins designers used AutoPLANT to develop the 3D models, which enabled them to work seamlessly with the DWG format used by IAS partners as well as maintain interoperability with the DGN format. Direct plotting to a 3D PDF format allowed modelers to e-mail small ﬁles to key stakeholders, giving them easy access to the visuals. v The 3D models of the new primary settlement tanks provided an early virtual tour of the new facility, eliminating potential issues v Operational constraints dictate that only one lane can be taken out of service at any time to enable replacement of aerators and bafﬂes—simulating the elimination of one treatment lane for servicing proved that it was possible The animated 3D models demonstrated how construction sequencing would ensure that the plant stayed fully operational. For example, the activated sludge plant consists of 12 biological treatment lanes covering 1.4 hectares—about the same area as two football pitches. Operational constraints dictate that only one lane can be accessed, potentially eliminating unnecessary stairways. Considering the cost per stairway was £20,000, the savings could be signiﬁcant. “It was important to demonstrate that an optimum solution could be achieved by combining access platforms and optimizing the footprint of the plant, while maximizing construction efﬁciencies and, therefore, reducing costs,” Heath said. “Access issues around the site during construction have been more easily resolved through clear understanding of work areas and service corridors.” Incorporating animation brought the visuals to life for plant operators, construction supervisors, and health and safety representatives. The models made it clear that cranes and other lifting techniques could be employed in areas restricted by existing operational structures. For plant operators, who in the past had to trawl through reams of 2D construction drawings, the 3D models provided an early virtual tour of the new facility, allowing them to spot and eliminate Hazards and Operability (HAZOP) and Access Lifting and Maintenance (ALM) issues from the design. The visualizations became a core component of the interdisciplinary review process that promoted collaboration and communication among all stakeholders. Atkins estimates the cost beneﬁts of the resulting improvements in safety and operations could be up to 0.75 percent of capital costs—a signiﬁcant amount of money on a project of this magnitude. United Utilities’ investment in modernization will ensure that the Bolton Wastewater Treatment Works is able to meet the European Union directives for discharge consents by the year 2010. If, the River Irwell achieves the goal of a “good” water quality rating by year 2015, it will be the cleanest it has ever been since quality records began. Volume 4, Issue 3 | BE MAGAZINE 53

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of BE Magazine - Volume 4, Issue 3

Contents Rising to the Challenge News BE Newsletter Highlights More ITS Sightings Racing Concrete Canoes Lights, Camera, Action! Making the Cut People’s Choice Awards 2007 Executive Keynotes Building Clear Vision of a Dream Concrete Results Reaching New Heights Building News From Bentley Golden KIWI Awards 2007 Civil A Coordination of National Highway Proportions Training Troops Beautifying Highways, One Sign at a Time Civil News From Bentley Geospatial Facility Facelift Planning for Uncertainty Geospatial News From Bentley MicroStation at the Heart of LiDAR Surveying Solutions Plant Making the Grade Data Deja Vu Data Clouds Provide Clear Visual of Underground Saving Precious-Metal Mining Time Plant News From Bentley Advertisers Index Special/Academic The Art of Visualization Training Is Key To Delivering State-of-the-Art Solutions Bridging the Information/Infrastructure Gap

BE Magazine - Volume 4, Issue 3

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