Integrated BIM-to-FEM approach in mechanised tunnelling

In current tunnelling practice, Finite Element (FE) simulations form an integral element in the planning and the design phase of mechanised tunnelling projects. The generation of adequate computational models is often time consuming and requires data from many different sources, in particular, when manually generated using 2D-CAD drawings. Incorporating Building Information Modelling (BIM) concepts offers opportunities to simplify this process by using geometrical BIM sub-models as a basis for structural analyses. This paper presents a Tunnel Information Model (TIM) as a BIM specifically tailored to fit the needs of mechanised tunnelling projects and a “BIM-to-FEM” technology, that automatically extracts relevant information (geology, alignment, lining, material and process parameters) needed for FE simulations from BIM sub-models and subsequently performs FE analysis of the tunnel drive. The results of the analysis are stored centrally on a data server to which the user has continuous access. A case study from the Wehrhahn-Metro line project in Düsseldorf, Germany, is presented and discussed to demonstrate the efficiency and the applicability of the proposed BIM-to-FEM workflow.