Sydney CBD Retro BIM Project

RMS (now TfNSW) Asset Management engaged Latter Rain early in 2015 to begin creating intelligent 3D models for Sydney’s inner-city infrastructure. The initial challenge was finding a way to import metadata embedded in these 3D super-models of predominantly bridges and tunnels into RMS bespoke software that had no facility to import any embedded data. Through the creation of in-house specialist software, we were able to build the models containing all the data for RMS’s complex asset management database, automatically break down the model into individual structural components, separate the data, translate the model and reattach the data within the RMS’s system to their requirements.

These 3D models had to be geospatially, structurally, and dimensionally exact to precise detail. Information was gathered from original early 20th century blue-prints and all later modifications were incorporated through a combination of satellite imagery, site visits, co-ordination with RMS inspectors and a strong understanding in structural engineering.

This 5yr. long project involved over 70 structures and roadways from south of the Domain Tunnel through to North Sydney Station including the Cahill Expressway, Bradfield Highway, Bradfield Tunnel, Sydney Harbour Bridge and all the approaches including arches, tunnels, viaducts, train stations and tunnels.