2023 Founders' Honors
Congratulations to the 2023 Founders' Honors Recipients
Founders’ Honors, chosen individually by Bentley Systems’ founders, are presented to a small number of exemplary projects, individuals, and organizations which particularly inspire us in our company’s mission of advancing the world’s infrastructure while sustaining both the global economy and environment.
Bridges & Tunnels
Collins Engineers, Inc.
Digital Twins and Artificial Intelligence for Historic Robert Street Bridge Rehabilitation
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
Project Playbook: AssetWise, iTwin, iTwin Capture, iTwin Experience, MicroStation, ProjectWise
Image Credit: Collins Engineers, Inc.
Project Summary
Nationally registered as a historic structure, Robert Street Bridge is a reinforced concrete arch bridge that crosses the Mississippi River. To address significant structural deterioration, MNDOT initiated a bridge rehabilitation project and retained Collins Engineers to perform a detailed bridge inspection. The project required accurate collection of detailed inspection information that traditional methods and previous software could not accommodate. Collins wanted to supplement conventional workflows with artificial intelligence and digital twins.
They selected iTwinCapture and iTwin Experience to generate a 3D digital twin of the bridge, which helped them to automatically find, quantify, and communicate concrete cracks and deterioration. The ability to pre-inspect the bridge with the digital twin allowed engineers to validate defects prior to starting fieldwork. The solution saved 30% in inspection hours and offers an environmentally friendly, advanced method for future bridge monitoring and management. By making the digital twin available to potential contractors for more detailed insight into the structural condition of the bridge, Collins expects to save approximately 20% in rehabilitative construction costs.
Construction
KOVALSKA NERUKHOMIST LLC
Kovalska going digital
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Project Playbook: SYNCHRO
Image Credit: Kovalska Nerukhomist LLC
Project Summary
To help improve the efficiency, safety, and quality of construction projects in Ukraine, while reducing construction costs, Kovalska Nerukhomist is introducing innovative technology solutions to the country’s industry. Kovalska is seeking to find dynamic digital construction solutions to modernize the Ukrainian market and innovate outdated, costly, and error-prone processes—especially with the additional difficulties posed by war-time challenges. To implement their digital mission, they needed to make the shift towards collaborative 4D and 5D approaches.
Kovalska selected SYNCHRO as the best solution to meet project goals and continue promoting a more modern digital approach. Bentley’s 4D modeling solution enabled the team to better maintain control over processes, finances, and schedules. Through visual planning and 4D/5D workflows, they identified clashes during the design stage that reduced on-site construction changes by 50%, potentially saving USD 2.45 million across seven building projects. They plan on using the digital twin for smart building operations in the future while continuing to digitize and modernize Ukraine’s construction industry’s processes.
Enterprise Engineering
WSP Australia
Implementation of Digital Workflows on Infrastructure Projects
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Project Playbook: iTwin, MicroStation, OpenBridge, OpenBuildings, OpenCities, OpenRail, OpenRoads, ProjectWise, SYNCHRO
Image Credit: WSP Australia
Project Summary
Recognizing the pivotal role of effective information management and the limitations of previous technology approaches, WSP sought a comprehensive digital solution that could streamline data management and facilitate efficient collaboration while building trust in new digital workflows. They needed user-friendly, integrated technology applications that foster a holistic approach to data management, ensure compliance with ISO-19650 standards, and support a widespread digital shift.
Embracing the capabilities of Bentley Infrastructure Cloud, WSP selected ProjectWise and iTwin to address data management, collaboration, and project lifecycle engineering challenges, enhancing decision-making and delivering superior project outcomes. Leveraging Bentley’s applications, design teams can collaborate, visualize, and review the design model in real time. Using their Port Rail Transformation Project (PRTP) as an example, WSP saved approximately 300 resource hours, reducing rework and the project timeline. By communicating and exemplifying the advantages of digital workflows, they have instilled confidence in the national business shift to digitization, driving innovation in enterprise engineering.
facilities, campuses & cities
Dublin City University
Smart Dublin City University Digital Twin
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Project Playbook: AssetWise, iTwin, iTwin Capture, OpenCities
Image Credit: Dublin City University
Project Summary
A collaborative smart city research project explores the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and immersive digital twin technology using Dublin City University’s (DCU) campus to test innovative smart city solutions, creating sustainable, efficient, and enjoyable urban spaces worldwide. The project presented voluminous siloed data, IoT sensors, and radar devices, requiring integration for intelligent monitoring. To maximize data capture and analysis potential, the team needed a user-friendly platform to integrate and leverage the multisourced data for an efficient, comprehensive smart city solution.
They selected Bentley’s open 3D and reality modeling technology to create a campus model integrated with IoT data and generated an immersive digital twin on the iTwin Platform. Through AI-powered analysis and a user-friendly interface for visualizing complex analytics, the team created an interconnected, smart DCU campus, facilitating proactive problem solving, resource optimization, and informed decision-making for improved urban functionality and sustainability. The DCU digital twin serves as a catalyst for numerous environmental and sustainability initiatives. It democratizes data visualization, and empowers agencies and individuals to implement intelligent process, actively shaping the future of their cities.
facilities, campuses & cities
Port Authority of New South Wales
Port Authority of New South Wales: A Case Study in Digital Transformation
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Project Playbook: iTwin, iTwin Capture, OpenCities
Image Credit: Port Authority of New South Wales
Project Summary
The Port Authority of New South Wales sought to create a dynamic digital representation of their physical assets across six geographically dispersed ports, accessible to multiple departments and stakeholders to improve collaboration, decision-making, and operations. Their previous, static, file-based system lacked spatial context and trusted data, taking days to compile requested information. To accommodate the voluminous, multisourced data and ensure they retained accurate, high-fidelity engineering information, they needed to establish a connected utility network and single source of truth.
They selected iTwin Capture Modeler to create accurate 3D reality models of the port sites and OpenCities applications to establish a GIS and digital twin platform accessible to users for remote asset inspection. Using Bentley technology streamlined workflows and reduced travel between ports, optimizing collaboration and accurate data sharing among departments and stakeholders, which is expected to save 50% in time compiling data requests. The digital twin solution provides a holistic asset view spanning multiple lifecycles, increasing data transparency, eliminating redundancy, and promoting community engagement and collaboration with environmental and marine agencies.
facilities, campuses & cities
Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd. (SIDRI)
Kubuqi 2000MW Photovoltaic Desertification Control Project (Section I)
Location: Ordos, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
Project Playbook: OpenBuildings, OpenRoads, STAAD
Image Credit: Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd. (SIDRI)
Project Summary
Located in the Kubuqi Desert in Inner Mongolia, the Kubuqi 2,000-megawatt photovoltaic desertification control project aims to provide clean energy through photovoltaic power generation and achieve desert control. Upon completion, it is expected to save an average of 706,600 tons of coal per year and reduce annual emissions of various pollutants. SIDRI is the leading general contractor and design company. They faced challenges managing the large project scale amid a short construction period that previously used technology solutions failed to accommodate. To facilitate seamless data exchange and design coordination, SIDRI needed integrated digital modeling and analysis applications.
SIDRI selected OpenBuildings Designer, OpenRoads Designer, and STAAD for terrain processing, 3D modeling, and structural analysis. Using Bentley’s integrated applications, they developed a digital project management and design platform, achieving design automation and accurate quantity takeoffs and material costs. The applications shortened the design delivery by six weeks. The comprehensive digital solution increased design efficiency by 70% and accuracy by 80% and reduced on-site changes during construction by 40%.
Process & Power Generation
Contact Energy
Tauhara Geothermal Power Project Drilling Campaign
Location: Taupo, Waikato, New Zealand
Project Playbook: Central, Leapfrog
Image Credit: Contact Energy
Project Summary
As one of New Zealand’s largest energy retailers and generators, Contact Energy is building the 174-megawatt Tauhara Geothermal power station in Taupo, making it the sixth geothermal power station in the area. Upon completion, the plant will increase New Zealand’s geothermal electricity supply to 12%, contributing to the organization’s decarbonization efforts. The depth and number of wells for the project presented drilling challenges, requiring 3D digital solutions for the multiple team members to ensure optimal targeted planning and drilling of the wells.
Contact Energy selected Seequent’s Leapfrog Energy and Central applications to perform 3D subsurface modeling in a collaborative, cloud-based platform, enabling the team to digitally visualize in real-time multiple well plans simultaneously. Working in a connected digital environment, the team identified drilling targets, planned directional wells, and drilled multiple wells from the same location, resulting in a smaller project footprint. Using Leapfrog Energy and Central, Contact Energy successfully drilled the wells on schedule for the Tauhara Station, which is expected to displace carbon emissions equivalent to removing 220,000 gas-powered cars from New Zealand roads.
Process & Power Generation
WISDRI Engineering & Research Incorporation Limited
New Blast Furnace Project of Yukun Iron & Steel Capacity Upgrade Project
Location: Yuxi, Yunnan, China
Project Playbook: AutoPIPE, iTwin Capture, OpenBuildings, OpenPlant, OpenRoads, ProjectWise, ProStructures, Raceway and Cable Management, SYNCHRO
Image Credit: WISDRI Engineering & Research Incorporation Limited
Project Summary
As one of the largest iron and steel plants in southwest China, this blast furnace upgrade project is expected to produce 4.76 million tons of molten iron per year, while reducing annual carbon emissions by 201,100 tons. WISDRI is responsible for the plant’s design and construction, including four 1,250 cubic-meter blast furnaces and 70 subsystems. Bordering several nature preserves, the project presented environmental constraints compounded by multidiscipline, heterogeneous data collaboration and management challenges. To deliver this complex, large-scale metallurgical plant, WISDRI needed to establish collaborative BIM processes and a connected data environment.
WISDRI selected ProjectWise, Bentley’s open modeling applications, and SYNCHRO to create a collaborative real-time accessible data management platform, streamline design workflows, and perform construction simulations. Compared to similar projects, the integrated digital solution reduced average design time by 16 days and shortened average on-site work time by seven days to meet the construction schedule. The automated processes and standardized data formats saved CNY 20.8 million in material costs and facilitates intelligent plant operations and maintenance, expected to reduce annual production costs by CNY 90 million.
Roads & Highways
PT. Waskita Karya (Persero) Tbk
Evolve to Digital Ecosystem for New Capital City of Indonesia
Location: Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Project Playbook: iTwin, iTwin Capture, OpenBridge, OpenRoads, ProjectWise, SYNCHRO
Image Credit: PT. Waskita Karya (Persero) Tbk
Project Summary
As part of Indonesia’s megaproject to create the world’s best smart and sustainable city, this toll road infrastructure will improve connectivity and shorten travel times. Waskita Karya is the main contractor for the 6.675-kilometer section 5A of the total 75.62-kilometer planned highway. The project presented extreme terrain and design compatibility issues with an existing bridge on a tight construction schedule. To accelerate precise multidiscipline decision-making and keep the project on schedule, Waskita needed to establish a connected digital ecosystem.
They selected ProjectWise, Bentley’s open 3D and reality modeling applications, and iTwin to generate digital twins and establish a real-time, cloud-based design review environment. The integrated digital twin solution facilitated early clash detection, reducing design time by 40%, and optimized the road alignment, saving potential rework equivalent to IDR 12.5 billion. Bentley’s applications eliminated 20,000 truck movements during initial construction, saving 32,800 liters in diesel fuel consumption. Establishing a digital framework is expected to yield timely deliverables and additional construction cost savings associated with minimal on-site changes.
Roads & Highways
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB)
Model Based Design - Preparing for the Future of Digital Delivery
Location: Watertown, Massachusetts, United States
Project Playbook: iTwin, LumenRT, MicroStation, OpenBridge, OpenRoads, ProjectWise
Image Credit: Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB)
Project Summary
Aligned with their core values of building sustainable infrastructure in a digital age, VHB initiated a training project to recalibrate American civil engineering practices through digital model-based design workflows. To help civil engineers advocate for digitization and catch up with market leaders, as well as other infrastructure markets, VHB developed their Model-based Design Coaches program, requiring integrated, user-friendly design technology to deliver the training to their CAD user base.
VHB selected ProjectWise, iTwin, and Bentley’s open modeling applications to educate engineers in model-based design and digital twins for active roadway projects. In just 100 hours, attendees reported that the digital workflows were easier to execute, simplifying troubleshooting and saving design time. Compared to traditional 2D-based design teams, it is expected that by leveraging fully connected project data, design teams will reduce their time by more than 50% and late-stage design changes by 90%. With comprehensive 3D models, digital twins, and LumenRT visualizations, the value-add can be passed on to clients and stakeholders.
SUBSURFACE MODELING & ANALYSIS
Kenya Geological Survey
Kenya Nationwide Airborne Geophysical Survey
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Project Playbook: Oasis montaj
Image Credit: Kenya Geological Survey
Project Summary
To update and revise geological maps, publish mineral prospect maps, and support infrastructure development as well as groundwater and geothermal exploration, Kenya Geological Survey (KGS) initiated a survey project to capture geophysical data covering the entire Kenyan territory. The project provides potential for geothermal energy, alleviating water access issues, and driving mining GDP above 10%. With more than three million line-kilometers, KGS faced big data management issues on a short timeline. They needed a platform that could prepare large databases of high-resolution survey data from design to post-acquisition.
KGS selected Oasis montaj, providing a full lifecycle framework to integrate multiple blocks of data from multiple platforms, perform QC analyses, and generate reports. Seequent’s application allowed all project participants to implement exact models on data quality control and processing, resulting in seamless, standardized data to accurately update and revise the geological maps and mineral potential. The digital geoscience data survey and processing solution improved efficiencies by 30% and reduced costs by 40% delivering the project.
SUBSURFACE MODELING & ANALYSIS
PT Hutama Karya (Persero)
Geotechnical Engineering to Support Sustainability in "Nusantara" City at IKN Toll Road 3A
Location: Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Project Playbook: iTwin, GeoStudio, Leapfrog, OpenRoads, PLAXIS
Image Credit: PT Hutama Karya (Persero)
Project Summary
The IKN Toll Road connects Balikpapan to Indonesia’s new national capital Nusantara, which is aimed to become the world’s most sustainable city through innovation, technology, and a green economy. PT Hutama Karya is the lead contractor for the 13.4-kilometer section 3A, including a 920-meter bridge across a river with a high water level. With a project area covering 109.49 hectares of steep terrain and dense forest, Hutama faced challenging topography amid a tight construction schedule and strict environmental requirements.
Hutama selected iTwin Capture Modeler to process aerial-captured data into an accurate reality mesh of the entire site, accelerating data processing time by seven days. Requiring comprehensive modeling and geotechnical analysis technology, Hutama used Leapfrog Works, PLAXIS, and GeoStudio to perform 3D geotechnical modeling and analysis, resulting in over USD 90 million saved in potential rework. The integrated digital solution accelerated construction, enabling timely project completion while reducing carbon emissions by 83% during the construction period. The technology provides real-time monitoring of land clearing progress to minimize tree felling and meet crucial environmental requirements of the project.
Surveying & Monitoring
Benesch
AI/ML-Driven Pavement Crack Detection
Location: Multiple, United States
Project Playbook: AssetWise, iTwin, iTwin Capture, MicroStation
Image Credit: Benesch
Project Summary
Most public agency assets include pavement and, therefore, require crack detection survey and maintenance. Given that traditional pavement assessment practices and technology are time-consuming and inaccurate, Benesch explored integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into their field data collection workflows, targeting crack detection in pavement. However, they faced challenges closing the gap between digitally identifying cracks and classifying the cracks based on condition assessment. Therefore, they sought to develop their pavement crack detection technology solution.
They selected Bentley’s iTwin Capture Modeler, AssetWise, and iTwin to pilot their digital innovation at three active project sites in the United States, creating digital twins of the sites. Bentley technology harnessed the power of AI and ML, streamlining the crack detection process and feeding the data into the digital twin for analysis. The solution automates digitization of the crack linework data and saves 75% in field time, and is expected to save USD 144,000 in 100 airport inspections without impacting traffic and/or airport operations.
Surveying & Monitoring
Yuba Water Agency
New Bullards Bar Dam
Location: Camptonville, California, United States
Project Playbook: iTwin, iTwin Capture, iTwin IoT
Image Credit: Yuba Water Agency
Project Summary
Constructed in 1970, New Bullards Bar Dam was part of the Yuba River Development project to reduce flood risk, generate clean hydropower, and ensure reliable water supply for Yuba County. Yuba Water Agency initiated a modernization of the dam monitoring system, replacing a hazardous legacy system and manual inspections. The new system optimizes dam operations, preventing potential loss of life and billions of dollars of damage in Northern Sacramento Valley. Faced with steep terrain and site challenges, Yuba Water needed to remotely survey and monitor the dam.
They selected iTwin Capture Modeler to generate a 3D reality mesh from thousands of drone-captured images and uploaded the mesh to the iTwin Platform, creating a digital twin. The digital twin remotely captures sensor data from monitoring devices and performs real-time digital crack detection, enabling visualization into the structural integrity of the dam. Compared to the conventional monitoring system, the automated digital station provides 1,000 times more data monitoring points and has improved data accuracy by 50% and risk assessment by 100%.
Transmission & Distribution
Kalpataru Projects International Limited
Construction of 2 Nos of 225KV Transmission Lines & 2 Nos of Substations in Cameroon
Location: Cameroon
Project Playbook: nPulse, Power Line Systems, STAAD
Image Credit: Kalpataru Projects International Limited
Project Summary
Located across several impoverished regions of Cameroon with limited grid connection and unreliable power supply, this project will build two 225-kilovolt single circuit transmission lines and supporting substations, improving regional electricity access, promoting industrialization, and increasing quality of life. It required arranging 297 kilometers of linear transmission line amid inclement weather spread across difficult terrain. Faced with these constraints, compounded by data management, design, and technical challenges, KPIL needed an integrated digital engineering and management solution.
They selected Power Line Systems and STAAD for transmission line layout, substation design, and structural analysis, and nPulse as the collaborative project management platform. Bentley’s applications streamlined modeling and design and facilitated end-to-end real-time project monitoring. The digital solution reduced project completion time by approximately 9% and saved a total of 12% in overhead and subcontracting costs. Compared to conventional methods, KPIL saved 2.5% in material costs, reducing the carbon footprint, and eliminated diesel-power generation in the region, equivalent to 450 megatons of carbon emissions per month.