Bouygues Bâtiment introduces digital construction layout processes on a prestigious project in Paris

Author:Ilona Bihlmayer

Bouygues Bâtiment Ile-de-France, a subsidiary of Bouygues Construction in the region of Paris, France, specialises in the construction of buildings, both commercial and residential, as well as rehabilitation and new construction.

Bouygues is involved in the project to build the “Grand Equipment Documentary” (GED), a large documentary facility. This 23,000 sqm platform will store more than one million books on social research and human sciences. The architect of this building, which will be located in the heart of the Condorcet campus area of Aubervilliers, is Elizabeth De Portzamparc, who won the competition to design the GED.

“在完成方面和结构工作方面，必须观察到的不同地段有很大的建筑要求。公开可见的立面需要精确的墙壁，支柱和横梁。该站点的另一个特征是一个由弯曲的帆制成的全强化混凝土楼梯，在该楼梯内部，将有一个带有圆形钢筋混凝土栏杆的房间，因此一些相当巨大的东西，explains Philippe Richard, Productivity and Ergonomy R&D Director at Bouygues.

Innovative buildings demand innovative construction

GED’s complex structures throughout the entire building and a tight timeframe were the main challenges Bouygues had to face. To be able to take up these challenges, a layout workflow that guarantees accuracy and efficiency was needed.

Up to that point, the layout process was a time-consuming manual process with many repetitive steps, often leading to errors. Bouygues needed a digital solution to get their layout jobs done faster, with maximum accuracy and efficiency.

To meet the high expectations of the GED project manager and the architect, Bouygues Bâtiment, introduced the “BIM to Field” process internally. According to Richard, this process facilitates and improves the layout workflows on site.

“By introducing BIM processes onto Bouygues’ construction sites and training our employees on digital construction layout techniques, we were able to layout 3-4 times faster as well as to increase accuracy,”said Richard

Bouygues made a comparative study between different suppliers of robotic total stations; the study showed that Leica Geosystems’ solution could meet the project’s needs. The solution comprises a robotic total station, the勒ica iCON iCR70withLeica图标构建construction software running on theLeica Icon CC80平板电脑。

支持IFC格式的完全渲染的3D模型

导致Bouygues相信Leica图标解决方案的主要原因之一是在Leica Icon Build中支持IFC数据。这样，Bouygues可以将Architects的设计数据直接上传到软件中。在现场以数字方式提供的完全渲染的3D型号有助于布局专家跟踪他们的工作。

The integrated IFC viewer simplifies the view of the layout data of a complex multi-story building. By showing or hiding certain elements and navigate within the complete model, the complex data turns into an easy-to-read graphical interface. Levels or object families of the building can be hidden or displayed in iCON build to keep track of the operators' work allowing for a simple, fluid, and fast visualization of the entire building.

BIM has arrived on site

Mr. Philippe Richard says that“Thanks to this new solution, our layout specialists can layout faster and therefore have more time to ask questions and be more confident about what they are doing. This has helped to increase the efficiency within the team as they can complete their tasks quicker and with less stress,” explains Richard. “Thanks to the “BIM to Field”, we are taking the first step to a digital construction site. It is BIM that will push digitalisation on site. We have reached a first major milestone, which is the acceptance of BIM and digitalisation on our construction projects.”