CIVIL ENGINEERING & DESIGN

The AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) Collection is the standard for civil engineering. It includes (but is not limited to) AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit, InfraWorks (US Site), ReCap Pro (US Site), and Navisworks (US Site). These platforms help civil engineers to design and create critical project details with precision. They also allow them to clearly and accurately communicate design intent. Model details can also be stored, reviewed and evaluated in context using the Autodesk Construction Cloud, which is a common data environment for civil engineering projects. 

Planners, designers, engineers, architects (US Site), contractors (US Site), and owners. The AEC Collection and the Autodesk Construction Cloud are designed to be used at any stage of the project lifecycle. Planners can create concepts and evaluate alternatives. Engineers can produce detailed design models. Design teams can effectively collaborate during review cycles and construction implementation. In operations, the infrastructure owner has access to the project details and files for project management and asset maintenance. 

The initial costs for implementing BIM in design practices may be higher because more detail is provided in the design model. But there is tremendous value gained during coordination and design efforts. Cost savings can be significant when it comes to construction implementation, design review cycles, and during asset management. BIM adoption lowers overall design and construction risks and helps to minimize in-field conflicts and construction re-work.

Traditional methods of delivery for civil engineers mostly involved 2D plan sheets and documents. Integrated project delivery involves connected, intelligent information that adds quality and details the project elements. This makes it possible for engineers to deliver an integrated model as part of the final assets. Plan sheets and documents are extracted from and based on the intelligent model. The plans, reports, and model are then delivered to the contractor and owner for construction and management of the asset.

A digital twin provides a near exact model or virtual representation of the actual infrastructure. The benefits of a digital twin allow evaluation and inspection of the model for immediate or future considerations. The digital twin (US Site) contains metadata and details about specific elements or features of the model. This information is valuable for asset maintenance, proving existing conditions, and for supplying information on future projects that may impact the specified model area.

There are numerous ways in which Autodesk civil design technology can support the resilience of infrastructure. These include assessing the structural strength and limitations of infrastructure, simulating traffic for evacuation planning, and visualizing the impact of flooding on infrastructure. Autodesk civil design technology can aid in predicting the flow of stormwater during any type of weather event, further enhancing our understanding of potential risks and improving our response to them.

GIS, or Geographic Information Systems, is a system that creates, manages, analyzes, and maps all types of data. GIS connects data to a geographic location and highlights details and metrics of infrastructure elements. It is a powerful tool for engineers to use because it illustrates existing conditions, infrastructure details, and provides data that has been gathered from specific areas that can be used as a basis for infrastructure design (US Site).

Yes, Autodesk technology supports documentation and document controls. Standards like ISO 19650 define the collaborative processes for managing information over the project lifecycle. Ensuring consistent document control is key to meeting project requirements and avoiding rework.

Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that involves design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure and physical elements in the environment. These elements include roads, bridges (US Site), utilities, dams, airports (US Site), water treatment facilities (US Site), and drainage systems (US Site). These elements are designed and built for public use and benefit. Civil engineering is broken down into several engineering disciplines including transportation, water resources, structural, environmental, and geotechnical.