The Best Infrastructure Designed with Bentley Software of 2024

Winners of Bentley Systems Year in Infrastructure 2024 awards. Image: Bentley Systems

Winners of Bentley Systems Year in Infrastructure 2024 were announced in Vancouver at what is the only black-tie gala event in the industry. Here are all 12 categories and winners.

Structural Engineering

And the winner is…Hyundai Engineering of Seoul, South Korea for the New Physical Modeling Method for Plant Steel Structures Using STAAD API.

Hyundai Engineering developed a new physical modeling method for plant steel structures using STAAD API to automate structural design processes. The project aimed to reduce repetitive tasks, enhance design efficiency, and improve constructability by creating an analytical digital twin. The approach led to a 70% reduction in structural analysis time and cut design errors by 50%, saving approximately KRW 330 million.

The software used in this project includes STAAD for structural analysis and design automation, which optimized the design process while considering constructability enhancements.

Bridges and Tunnels

And the winner is…JMT of Fredricsburg, Virginia for the Digital Experience for the I-95 Rappahannock River Crossing Construction Project .

The I-95 Rappahannock River Crossing Project in Virginia aimed to reduce congestion by adding six miles of new lanes and four bridges. JMT’s digital approach helped them manage traffic flow during construction and meet environmental standards. By using advanced modeling and simulations, they identified and resolved issues early, saving time and reducing community impact.

The software used in this project includes Bentley Descartes, Bentley Infrastructure Cloud, iTwin, MicroStation, OpenBridge, OpenRoads, ProjectWise, and LumenRT.

Surveying and Monitoring

And the winner is…Water Supplies Department in Kowloon, Hong Kong for the Digital Twin of the Ex-Sham Shui Po Service Reservoir.

The North East Link Central Package, Victoria’s largest infrastructure project, aims to improve connectivity by removing 15,000 trucks from congested roads in Melbourne. The project required complex geological modeling and the coordination of multiple design consultancies to manage subsurface risks. By utilizing advanced geotechnical data and 3D models, the team optimized design, risk management, and construction planning, saving AUD 16 million.

The software used in the project includes GeoStudio, Leapfrog, OpenRoads, PLAXIS, and ProjectWise.

Rail and Transit

And the winner is…SPL Powerlines UK for the Midland Main Line Electrification.

The Midland Main Line Electrification (MMLE) Project aims to enhance rail capacity with 447 kilometers of overhead electrification, reducing travel times and improving sustainability. SPL Powerlines UK used advanced digital tools to manage the project across multiple sections, coordinating data from 20 design organizations. This approach increased first-time submission success by 26%, cut site walkouts by 94%, and improved safety and cost-efficiency.

The software used in this project includes ProjectWise for collaboration, iTwin for digital twin creation, MicroStation for design, and OpenRail for rail-specific modeling, among others such as AssetWise and LumenRT.

Facilities, Campuses and Cities

And the winner is…China ENFI Engineering Co., Ltd. for Project of Comprehensive Waste Management Facilities in Xiong’an New Area.

The Xiong’an Waste Comprehensive Treatment Facility Project is designed to transform the area into a “waste-free city,” processing 3,060 tons of garbage, kitchen waste, sewage, and medical waste daily in a 220,000-square-meter underground facility topped by a park. China ENFI Engineering Co. faced challenges with ventilation, equipment space, fire protection, and a tight schedule. They turned to Bentley’s digital tools, moving from 2D drawings to 3D modeling, unifying 13 design specialties. This shift boosted efficiency by 130%, reduced errors, eliminated the need for four cranes, and saved CNY 13.7 million. Careful planning also cut 50 days from the construction timeline.

The Xiong’an Waste Comprehensive Treatment Facility Project relied on Bentley software tools such as ProjectWise for project delivery, SYNCHRO for construction management, MicroStation for CAD modeling, and the iTwin Platform to implement a digital twin approach,

Construction

And the winner is…Proicere Ltd.,of Seascale, U.K. for the SPRS Retreatment Plant (SRP) Sellafield.

The Sellafield SPRS Retreatment Plant is part of the UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority initiative, aiming to safely transfer, repackage, and store 140 tons of plutonium for 100 years. The project, managed by Proicere Ltd., faces strict regulatory and safety standards, requiring a highly coordinated digital approach. By utilizing 4D planning, they identified over 160 risks, preventing rework and reducing costs, thus ensuring project sustainability.

The software used in this project includes SYNCHRO for 4D planning and scheduling, and,iTwin for creating a digital twin to streamline workflows and enhance risk management.

Enterprise Engineering

And the winner is…Mott MacDonald and HDR of Toronto, Canada for the Ontario Line – Information Management.

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The Ontario Line is a 15.6-kilometer subway project in Toronto, aimed at improving transit and reducing road congestion. The line will add 15 new stations, significantly cutting travel times and lowering emissions by removing 28,000 cars from the roads. Mott MacDonald and HDR, the technical advisors, focused on efficiently managing and sharing data among multiple organizations, enhancing project efficiency.

The software used in this project includes iTwin for digital twin management, ProjectWise for data collaboration, SYNCHRO for 4D planning, and Bentley LumenRT for visualization and modeling.

Roads and Highways

The winner is the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Manilla, Philippines for the Digital Twin Implementation for NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Project.

The NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Project in Metro Manila addresses severe traffic congestion by constructing an eight-kilometer elevated road connecting major highways. This project significantly reduces travel time and carbon emissions. Challenges such as dense urban environments and equipment logistics were overcome through advanced digital twin technology, improving project efficiency and reducing errors.

The project utilized Bentley software, including iTwin Capture for field conditions, OpenBridge and OpenRoads for 3D modeling, LumenRT for visualization, and SYNCHRO for 4D construction management, enhancing productivity by 15% and logistics by 40%.

Power and Process

And the winner is…PowerChina Zhongnan Engineering Corporation Limited of Dongying, Shandong, China for the Digital Twin of Shandong Energy Group Bozhong Offshore Wind Farm Site A.

The Bozhong Offshore Wind Farm Site A, developed by PowerChina Zhongnan Engineering, is the first grid-parity offshore wind project in Shandong, China. It will generate 1.698 billion kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually, reducing carbon emissions by 1.26 million tons. The project overcame challenges such as complex site conditions and tight deadlines by leveraging digital twin technology, improving efficiency and reducing costs.

The software used includes Bentley Raceway and Cable Management, MicroStation, OpenBuildings, OpenPlant, OpenRoads, OpenWindPower, PLAXIS, ProjectWise, and ProStructures. These tools enabled better collaboration, 3D modeling, and intelligent workflows.

Subsurface Modeling and Analysis

And the winner is… Spark and WSP of Melbourne, Australia for the North East Link Central Package.

The North East Link Central Package, Victoria’s largest infrastructure project, aims to improve connectivity by removing 15,000 trucks from congested roads in Melbourne. The project required complex geological modeling and the coordination of multiple design consultancies to manage subsurface risks. By utilizing advanced geotechnical data and 3D models, the team optimized design, risk management, and construction planning, saving AUD 16 million.

The software used in the project includes GeoStudio, Leapfrog, OpenRoads, PLAXIS, and ProjectWise, which streamlined data integration, collaboration, and modeling for efficient project delivery.

Power Transmission and Distribution

And the winner is… Southwest Electric Power Design Institute Co., Ltd. of China Power Engineering Consulting Group In Liangshan, China for Full Life Cycle Digital Applications of Butuo ±800kV Converter Station

The Butuo ±800kV Converter Station is part of China’s energy infrastructure, transmitting power from Baihetan Hydropower Station to eastern regions. This project reduces coal consumption by 27 million tons annually and provides electricity for 75 million people. By utilizing digital workflows, the team minimized land use and lowered costs, shortening both the design and construction periods significantly.

The software used includes Bentley LumenRT, MicroStation, OpenBuildings, OpenSite, OpenUtilities Substation, ProjectWise, and STAAD, which facilitated collaborative design, 3D modeling, and project management across the entire lifecycle.

Water And Wastewater

And the winner is…Basic Sanitation Utility Company of the State of São Paulo for the Integra 4.0  Cultural Transformation Through Digitalization.

SABESP’s Integra 4.0 project aims to revolutionize water management across 375 municipalities in São Paulo, Brazil, through digital transformation. By integrating business intelligence and AI into a single platform, the project significantly improves operational efficiency, reducing water losses by 29%. Within seven months, it saved BRL 3.1 million in maintenance costs and reduced carbon emissions through proactive monitoring and rapid response to system issues.

The software used includes OpenFlows for hydraulic modeling and monitoring, providing an integrated, data-driven approach to optimize water resource management and infrastructure maintenance.