A Case Study of BIM Implementation in Rail Track Rehabilitation

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an Industry 4.0 methodology that is increasingly used in the domain of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC). BIM emerges as a new methodology, one that is more collaborative and based on parametric three-Dimensional (3D) models, centralizing different types of information of a geometric, physical, and economic nature. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the application of the BIM methodology to a rail track rehabilitation case study using a geotextile and geogrid in the ballast layer base. The creation of the 3D and 4D BIM models was performed using various BIM-based tools, which made it possible to achieve the spatial and parametric representation of the rail track and the simulation of the main construction tasks. A new BIM object pertaining to the rail track was created. This paper describes the procedures applied in achieving the BIM models, the limitations involved, and the interoperability between the BIM tools. Additionally, the potential for information extraction with respect to the infrastructure design, construction, and operation, e.g., planning and scheduling, quantities, graphic outputs, and track geometry quality, was demonstrated. It was concluded that the BIM methodology was viable and could be implemented with benefits, despite certain difficulties and limitations, which emphasize the need for further developments.