> "Working more efficiently to make more time for smart solutions” - Heijmans

## Generic applications

Bart Vosslamber is an engineer at Heijmans and explains, “We have now made two applications. One [parametrically](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/46/parametric-design-cloud-engineering-construction) calculates the pile bearing capacity for different CPTs, and the other calculates the required concrete cross sections (with reinforcing bars) under different loads.” The advantage of the applications is that they can be used in any project, despite the fact that every construction project is unique.

## Recurring elements

No project is the same, but every project contains elements that often recur. Heijmans made applications precisely for those elements, so that these calculations no longer have to be done manually. Vosslamber: “We are convinced that the future lies in parameterization. You need building blocks that can [solve the parametric issues](https://www.viktor.ai/parametric-design-software). ” The applications are two of such building blocks. They make the process more efficient.

> “We opted for an application about pile bearing capacity, because there are foundation piles in every project. And concrete cross sections must also be reinforced in every project. ” - Bart Vosslamber, engineer at Heijmans

## Anticipating changes

The applications make changes more efficient, for example, and reports are easier to adjust. “Suppose something changes in the design, then all calculations have to be done again,” says Vosslamber. “The application allows you to redo those calculations with the push of a button.” This saves a lot of time, which leads to new ideas and the number of useful tools can increase.

## More apps to come

There are now two applications and the goal is to expand that number. This expansion can be done in two ways, says Vosslamber, “We can now calculate a rectangular slab of concrete, which can be expanded to round sections. In addition, there are even more interesting applications for the future, for example for steel cross sections or load combinations. ” These expansions are also already planned at Heijmans.

## Development with VIKTOR

The applications are made on the VIKTOR platform. Heijmans developed the applications themselves, where they first had training on how to do that. “We have chosen to do it ourselves, because we have the substantive knowledge about structures. When you work with it you are better able to specify what kind of tool you actually want. If I want this as a result, I have to ask it that way", explains Vosslamber.

Using VIKTOR to develop the applications went well. “At VIKTOR they are committed and they answer your questions quickly,” says Vosslamber.

![Heijmans generic application.png](/uploads/Heijmans_generic_application_f80ca27a6b.png)

At Heijmans, they are happy with what the applications can do for them. Vosslamber, “With every construction we come up with, we have to provide a report to substantiate why the construction we have made is strong enough.” The application helps them to draw up that report easily, so that their clients can clearly see how, for example, a cross-section has been made and which calculations are involved.

## Automation and parametrization

Heijmans would like to smarten up and focus on automation and parametrization. The two applications that have now been created are the beginning and more are already planned. Vosslamber, “With these applications we can work more efficiently in every project and we can invest more energy in smart solutions, which is very beneficial for both us and our customers.”

Engineering & Design

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Heijmans builds generic parametric design applications to use in many projects

1. What is parametric design, and how is it evolving
2. Collaborative parametric design: working together for better results
3. How to make tools available to others
4. Active collaboration on parametric design tools
5. Parametric design in a billion-euro project
6. What collaborative parametric design means for you



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The adoption of parametric design grows exponentially thanks to friendly programming languages like Python or visual programming packages like Dynamo or Grasshopper.
 
Our perception is changing. We no longer see parametric design as a model to solve specific technical problems, but rather as a new way of working, in which stakeholders collaborate to find the best solution for a project.

Learn about the latest trends and the future of parametric design in this white paper

Collaborative parametric design models allow you to work together for better solutions

Download the white paper and get INSPIRED

Did you know parametric design models are no longer just used to solve specific technical problems, but rather as a new way of working? Read here how stakeholders use parametric design to collaborate and find the best solutions for their projects!

The Future of Parametric Design is COLLABORATION

## Dike design tool Wilma: a new, digital way of designing

The Wilma dike design tool, created on the VIKTOR platform, is a renewed design environment for the geotechnical consultant. The tool was developed by the Graaf Reinaldalliantie to be used on the Gorinchem-Waardenburg (GoWa) dike reinforcement project.

The innovation consists of the combination of cleverness and insights of the designer and the infinite computing power of the computer on the VIKTOR platform. For the Wilma tool, design software for the various design mechanisms (D-series and PLAXIS) is integrally linked and data is centrally managed in accordance with the BIM philosophy. Because of this, changes in starting points or other information can be made transparant very quickly, allowing the design to adapt quickly as well. This provides a certain flexibility in the design process that has proven itself to be very beneficial within this project. 

## A challenging reinforcement

The Graaf Reinaldalliantie was established to strengthen the river dike between Gorinchem and Waardenburg. The alliance consists of the Water Board Rivierland and the contractor consortium ‘Waalensemble’ consisting of Heijmans, GMB and de Vries & van de Wiel. Royal HaskoningDHV is associated with the alliance as an advisory party as well. 

This dike improvement project is approximately 23 kilometers long and is particularly complex in terms of tasks related to reinforcement. Not least because of the highly heterogeneous soil structure, which was created in the past on the north side of the Waal by the many old river channels and fillings, the diversity of soil layers and the filling in at the site of old dike breaches. The dike body itself also varies in structure due to the construction of the dike over the centuries and the reinforcements and relocations of the past decades. In order for this dike section to meet current safety standards, several improvement measures are needed that, together with the built environment, the soil conditions, and the transition to undrained modeling, make it a very challenging project.

## Taking initiative

In the tendering phase of the Gorinchem-Waardenburg dike reinforcement project, Waalensemble took the initiative to perform the design calculations in a smarter, more efficient way, based on the positive experiences from previous Heijmans projects (Wilhelminakanaal, Wintrack) where repetitive design issues in particular were efficiently automated. In these examples, design software (D-Series, SCIA, Excel) is linked by means of assumptions and existing equations, resulting in an automated process. This principle has been adopted by the Gorinchem-Waardenburg dike improvement project, further elaborated and further professionalised through the availability of the VIKTOR platform, among other things. The Viktor platform makes it possible to link design software in a much easier way and with extra functionality than was previously possible in the aforementioned Heijmans projects. During the project, the functionality of the dike design tool was expanded in various versions with settlement and failure mechanisms such as macro stability, piping and overtopping, which can be calculated simultaneously per cross section, for both embankments and dike relocations. An example of a schematic of a profile is shown in the picture below.

![An example of a cross section schematized by Wilma with a crown displacement and inward embankment in a D-GeoStability calculation.](/uploads/Cross_section_schematized_by_Wilma_8ed53a86da.png)

*An example of a cross section schematized by Wilma with a crown displacement and inward embankment in a D-GeoStability calculation.*

### The first development

The first development motif arises from the request to support the designer in achieving a higher quality of the stability calculations. The application of the undrained CSSM model requires a schematisation with boundary tensions and a course of the effective tension due to changed water levels and previous loads. Within the functionality of the then available D-GeoStability version 18, this required a far-reaching division of the soil layers with additional stress calculations by the designer. The first version of Wilma has been developed to achieve an accurate calculation of the stresses and to develop an efficient method to include these results in the D-GeoStability model.

### The second development

After a successful application of the first version, the second development started almost immediately. The functionality has been extended to centrally manage the input and output of the various design software. This is in line with the BIM method for quality assurance and version management. In a design analysis, the geotechnical properties per soil layer and the derived parameters that are determined by means of a calculation method, always originate from Wilma and are independent of other design calculations. The old and the new process diagram, where the [parametric design tool](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/46/parametric-design-cloud-engineering-construction) is central, is shown here:

![Traditional vs Parametric vs Generative designwilma design process (1).svg](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Traditional_vs_Parametric_vs_Generative_designwilma_design_process_1_dcdd3d64a0.svg)

*Traditional design process versus new design process with Wilma.*

From this central position, Wilma compiles the input files and sends them to the existing design software, such as the D-series or Plaxis. The results from the design software are then collected and presented via the [parametric design tool](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/46/parametric-design-cloud-engineering-construction). By automating the data flow in the design process, the effort for the designer has shifted from drawing up calculation files to supervising the quality assurance of the calculations and assessing the results.

[![CTA_start_using_PD](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/solutions_page_banner_4_f474c9c318.svg)](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/46/parametric-design-cloud-engineering-construction)


## A new design methodology
The greatest gains, however, come from a different design method. The traditional design method is based on the manual input of cross sections by a consultant, which forces planning to make choices about how many cross sections can be calculated. In a complex project such as this dike improvement, this quickly means that major simplifications are needed to realise a design within time and money. One calculation that is normative for hundreds of meters of dike is common. As a result, the design is over-dimensioned, which in principle is not wrong from a safety point of view, but does lead to strict and heavy measures that affect the environment and are therefore not always desirable from stakeholders.

### An automated way
A new automated way of calculating means that it will be possible to calculate a very large number of cross sections, instead of one standard profile. In theory, a transverse profile can be calculated with possible variants for each dike stretch where a different situation arises. This is shown schematically in figure 3, where each block represents a new situation.

![The schematic choice for a standard profile (red) or several representative profiles (yellow)](/uploads/the_schematic_choice_for_a_standard_profile_red_or_several_representative_profiles_yellow_1acc3b2033.png)

*The schematic choice for a standard profile (red) or several representative profiles (yellow)*

The ability to design a large number of profiles provides the following benefits:

1. The consultant needs considerably less time to calculate cross sections, which means more time for interpreting and analysing results and translating them into the design. This leads to great efficiency.
2. There is the possibility to perform sensitivity analyses in a simple manner with all kinds of starting points, so that a better insight is obtained which parameter influences the calculation result. This makes it possible to conduct targeted additional research quickly.
3. The calculations were adapted and carried out very quickly. While changes in the traditional design process can have major consequences for the interfaces of the design, this is no longer a problem due to all the connections built up in Wilma. Adjustments to the design or starting points can now be directly calculated for the entire route.

### Qualitatively better design
All this results in a qualitatively better design, whereby freedom is created in choosing a design solution based on the calculation results. It is therefore no longer necessary to funnel the output data in advance to compose a benchmark profile, because making the assessment is more extensive than designing an additional profile. In addition, the thinking for weighing up the various possible normative aspects is retained in the result of an additional design profile. The figure below shows this as an example through sketches and illustrations, in which the dike sections are the product of a normative cross section and the white line represents a possible design profile that, as is to be expected, more closely follows the soil structure found. Because the design profile of the white line has actually been calculated, it is possible to choose a more average design profile that fits better in the landscape. The robustness of the design is known at that time.

![The division into dike sections with a schematic representation of the design assignment.png](/uploads/The_division_into_dike_sections_with_a_schematic_representation_of_the_design_assignment_7ac20fa4a5.png)

*The division into dike sections with a schematic representation of the design assignment*

### Inclusion of additional soil research
An additional positive effect is that carrying out additional soil research now pays off because it can be processed more easily in the built-up subsurface model. With the traditional design method, additional soil investigation is often intended as a risk mitigation to verify the subsurface model. This advantage remains, however, with the design method with Wilma, the additional research is immediately included in the calculations and the design is adjusted.

## Quality assurance

### Processing results
Quality assurance of the design calculations is not formally included in Wilma. The role of the parametric design tool is to compile and start the calculations and to process the results. These design calculations are always performed with the original (and therefore validated) design software. For example, a stability calculation is performed in D-GeoStability, after which the files are also available, in such a way that it looks like a colleague has supplied the calculations. Each calculation is delivered separately from the tool and manually checked by the designer. This workflow of the calculation files also makes it possible to deliver and view the design without having Wilma.

### Centralized storage
The quality assurance of the design calculations has deliberately been left with the designer. However, the parametric design tool makes it easier for the designer to perform the checks. Firstly, because the process of illustrating through schematics, calculating and checking is almost continuous because the lead time for a design calculation is next to nothing. In addition, Wilma can compile overviews of the required control points. All basic principles and relationships important for the design can be checked because the results are stored centrally and are available to everyone.

An example of a simple check is a graphical representation of the stresses in the soil layers or the assignment of the rise height to soil layers. Such a control screen is shown in figure 5. The calculated values ​​are presented for each black-marked point in the design profile. The applied calculation values ​​can be checked at a glance because the assumptions and equations have been consistently and unambiguously applied by Wilma on the basis of the predefined protocol. There are no quality differences due to the preparation of cross sections by several consultants.

![Customer_case_calculations_with_cloud_computing_5](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/A_control_screen_in_Wilma_for_the_determination_of_the_boundary_voltages_7a07277148.png)


### Background testing
In order to properly verify Wilma’s work processes, various tests have been built into the Viktor platform during the development of the tool. This checks in the background whether the routines carried out by Wilma always run in accordance with the geotechnical specification. These tests roughly consist of three categories:

1. Rules of thumb; the obvious design rules are checked. Because Wilma applies standard rules, contradictions can arise, as a result of which the schematization steps are correct in accordance with the “design rules”, but the schematization as a whole is geotechnically incorrect. An example of such a test is the descending height to the hinterland.
2. Realistic modeling with fully elaborated schematics of calculations and links. When going through these tests, the routines must always give the same results.
3. Edge cases with exceptional cases to test the routines of the schematisation. During these tests, unrealistic situations are presented from a geotechnical and hydraulic engineering point of view. This ensures that the routines and rules of thumb are robust and that new exceptions are noticed.

By continuously testing with both realistic modeling that is expected within the project, and with edge cases, the behavior of the tool becomes predictable, so that the quality control focuses on exceptions. These exceptions in turn complement the design routines. The systematic elaboration of these exceptions in a design rule results in a more substantiated design methodology and the percentage of exceptional cases is further reduced. This continuous development of the parametric design tool with the insertion of exceptional cases has resulted in the design capacity increasing quadratically. This increase is based on the difference between the number of design profiles per consultant in the exploration phase and the plan elaboration phase.

## The next step
The tool is currently being further developed for more geotechnical functionalities and applications throughout the design process. The possible future expansion of the functionality of the tool can be sought in expanding the tool in the field of computing in the cloud, but also in adding IoT data from sensor technology in dikes. Both seem far away for now, but will sooner or later enrich the world of the civil industry.

See how you can [develop your own parametric design tools](https://www.viktor.ai/parametric-design-software).

[![CTA_start_building_PD_apps](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Group_1_32a326f910.svg)](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/46/parametric-design-cloud-engineering-construction)


Infrastructure & Construction

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Dike design automation tool leads to better solutions

## Composite: An interesting material

However, composite is also interesting for mass production because it is light, durable and extremely strong, and can therefore make a substantial contribution to, among other things, reducing CO2 emissions from vehicles (lighter is less fuel / energy) and improving the lifespan of products (less waste and maintenance).

## A complicated production process

Making composite products is also complicated however. There is a lot of freedom of choice in the materials and how a composite laminate can be built. Moreover, automation also requires a lot of machine settings that determine the right quality of the product. This is complex and as a result, the adoption of composite is slow. In order to accelerate it, Airborne and VIKTOR have built an online portal. The portal allows you to quickly and efficiently design products, without requiring in-depth knowledge of composite.

## Personalized design for customers

Now, customers can design their laminate online themselves in the On-Demand Manufacturing Portal created on the VIKTOR platform. Here customers can configure their own product. Among other things, they can determine the dimensions, the type of material, the number of layers and the orientation. Based on the design, the price and other relevant data are automatically calculated. This allows the customer to search for what suits them and whether their design meets the requirements. If the customer is satisfied with the design, they can order it online right away. The design is converted into a production file and immediately forwarded to a production robot in the Airborne factory.

<iframe title="vimeo-player" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/394149267" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

> “By means of the On-Demand Manufacturing Portal we can let our customers order composite laminates fully automatically online. This allows the customer to independently design a high-quality laminate, including multiple design iterations, saving time for everyone.” - Sarah de Smet, projectmanager at Airborne

![airborne portal.png](/uploads/airborne_portal_ff69a32821.png)

## The role of the VIKTOR application

VIKTOR determines the cheapest way to make the product. The application takes production times and material loss into account. The instructions for the production robots are automatically generated and sent to the different robots, which can then directly make the product.

### Want to know more? Try it yourself!

On the [Airborne](https://www.airborne.com/automation-solutions-advanced-composites/on-demand-manufacturing-portal/) website you can read more about the portal and find the url to register and make your own laminate. Give it a try!

Manufacturing

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Automation and digitalization of Airborne's product processes

## Get the white paper

**INDEX**

1. Construction companies and digital transformation
2. Technology trends for a different approach
3. Technology trends in the construction industry
4. A new technology trend for the construction industry
5. Low code for the construction industry
6. The VIKTOR platform
7. What does it cost?
8. How to start
9. What's next?

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Autonomous cars, algorithms that are trading stocks, people having conversations with robots and digital services from the valley make our lives easier. It is already part of many different industries and drives extreme productivity. Considering these benefits of digitalization, there is huge potential in introducing this in the engineering and construction sector.

However, the engineering and construction industry spends way less on digital transformation than other sectors or automotive. So when the benefits are obvious, why have the engineering and construction industry not yet fully embraced new digital technologies? The reasons of lacking behind are understandable and have to do with the characteristics of the industry. But we have come to a time where there are increasing opportunities at hand for 
the sector to speed up digital transformation.

What are these trends in digital transformation and how will it effect the engineering and construction industry? You can read the answers to these questions and more in the white paper.



Learn about the trends on digital transformation and how to take the next step.

Download the White Paper and get INSPIRED

What are the trends in digital transformation and how will it effect the engineering and construction industry? You can read the answers to these questions and more in the white paper.

Digital Transformation Engineering and Construction Industry

## More calculations in less time

Jo Gijbels is the owner of Whitebox Engineering Software and states: “With the integration between IDEA StatiCa and the VIKTOR plaform, our customers can perform a lot more calculations in less time.”

At BESIX the IDEA StatiCa is mainly used to analyse concrete structures. Instead of having to model a complete 3d structure, they rather analyse a cross-section of a concrete column in detail. Arnout De Schaepmeester is closely involved as end-user in the collaboration: “We have developed a VIKTOR application which enables us to perform a huge amount of calculations of a tunnel in a short period of time.”

## Integrating applications

In this application an integration is created between IDEA StatiCa and VIKTOR. “The application focusses on the calculations of tunnel sections for the project: De Groene Boog”, says De Schaepmeester. “These sections look very similar, but are not identical. They are all slightly different.” Each tunnel section is to be placed on foundation piles of a certain length, to make sure that the tunnel does not sink. Therefore a separate analysis is required for each section, which takes a lot of time.

## Faster performance for optimal results

Time within the project is limited. The more iterations that can be performed within a certain time window, the closer the result will be to the ideal solution. “With the help of VIKTOR, we can, among other things, determine the optimal length of each section” says De Schaepmeester. This results in a reduction of project costs.

## Endless integration possibilities

“Currently we have the integration between the concrete analyses and the VIKTOR plaform. This could of course also be possible for the steel constructions” says Gijbels. “A lot of software packages exist, which are currently unable to collaborate well together. In the future I expect this to change, so that the client can collect all individual results in a clear visualisation.”

## A positive evaluation

The collaboration between BESIX, IDEA StatiCa and VIKTOR was a positive experience for all parties. The developed application enables more efficient calculations with many iterations. This resulted in more optimization within the project, which in turn resulted in material and cost savings, and sustainability. Gijbels: “In the future I expect more automation and more benefits for the customer.”

![IDEA StatiCa and VIKTOR logo](/uploads/IDEA_Stati_Ca_and_VIKTOR_logo_6f943e8e2f.png)


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## Airborne: Affordable and easy-to-use composits

By employing the full benefits of automation and digitalisation, Airborne aims to make composites affordable and easy to use. This year, the company launched the world’s first online portal that enables users to custom design and order composites parts, which are then produced through automated manufacturing. By using the portal, anyone can become a composites expert, even if you do not have in-depth knowledge of composites.

## A difficult material 

Suppose you have a great idea for a composite product. Ordinarily, it would take many steps to develop this idea into a design and eventually create an end product. It would also require in-depth knowledge of composites, considering you will have to ensure the composite has the required performance.

For many engineers, composite design is far from intuitive because these materials behave differently from more conventional materials like plastics of metals. Sol help is needed with the design and manufacturing of the part. A highly-skilled engineer would have to interpret the designs, provide feedback and advice, calculate a quotation, interact with the customer to optimise performance versus cost and delivery time, program the robot, set up security protocols and so forth. In the end, a lot of time would have passed before you would have received your laminates.

## The first online composit store

These issues will be solved by the On-demand Manufacturing Portal: a web-based tool that allows anyone to design composite parts and receive direct feedback on performance and price. With this feedback, a user can optimise the design for the specific use case.

### Fully-automated and customer-based design, ordering and production

When the user is satisfied with the outcomes, the product can be ordered and delivered to his doorstep. The portal is not only suitable for single products, but it can also be used for ordering series of products.

### More is coming...

The current application is for thermo-set laminates manufactured in prepreg material using Airborne’s Automated Laminating Cell (ALC) technology, more processes will be added in the future, also for dry fibre and thermo-plastic composite materials. The robotised ALC system combines three functionalities in one system: 1) creating the laminate by automated tape laying; 2) cutting the laminate into the required shapes; and 3) offloading these shapes with pick & place to the next production step, for example hot forming or placement into a tool. The pick & place system can also be used for placing local patches on a laminate. The three end effectors can be changed within one minute, making this system versatile and fast.

## Why Airborne?

### A fully-automated digital portal
How is Airborne’s On-demand Manufacturing Portal different from other digital portals?

Conventional digital portals that are available for other technologies – such as CNC milling, injection moulding or metal sheet bending – calculate prices automatically or semi-automatically.

After receiving the quote (which can take one or two days), the manufacturing can start, but will in many cases be delayed by human work preparation. In the Airborne portal, everything is fully automated. Not only are price and performance instantly calculated, but the Automated Laminating Cell is programmed on the fly. This is an important requirement, since the shape and layup of the part can have a large impact on the production time for laying the tape and cutting the laminate. To ensure that production time and scrap and product prices are accurately calculated, the path planning for the robot is integrated in the portal. Incorporating all the changes made by the user, a new programme for the ALC is created in the background and the price is recalculated.

### Smooth and quick order production

This implies that when the order is placed, the full production file for the ALC is ready with all the robot movements and complete machine and process settings necessary to smoothly produce the order. The file is sent to the ALC and production can start immediately, without any human intervention.

Airborne gave live demonstrations of this new technology during the JEC World 2019 show in France and the Composites 4.0 event in the UK. During these demonstrations, a product was designed, ordered and sent to the ALC system in the Airborne factory in The Netherlands, where production immediately ran the order.

To demonstrate connectivity and control, a digital twin visualisation of the ALC in operation was running in Paris and Coventry, fed by live data from The Netherlands.

![article online store composit laminates.png](/uploads/article_online_store_composit_laminates_a380726886.png)

2020 / JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE

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The first online store for smooth and automated composit manufacturing

## The early warning system and VIKTOR

VIKTOR has designed an early warning system that gives off a direct warning when there is a risk of bridge bridging. This way the bridge can automatically be cooled, so that no problems arise. The warning system is not only applicable to the Binnenhavenbrug, but to many other projects as well. Furthermore, it also contributes to the realisation of making Rotterdam a Smart City! And our role? The constant live reading of the bridge's temperature and automatic calculations of the effect on the structure in order to predict when the bridge gets too hot and will get stuck. 

## How does it work?

### The working principle
First, temperature measurements are collected within the web-based VIKTOR platform. Then a finite element model is used to simulate the expansion for the available measurements. After that, the simulation results are calibrated with measurements of the actual bridge length and using that information, the temperature measurements are used to calculate the dilation of the bridge. The behavior of the system can be combined with current weather forecasts to predict the bridge's behavior in the future as well. 

![Working principle of the warning system.png](/uploads/Working_principle_of_the_warning_system_ca73629e46.png)

*Working principle of the early warning system*

### Temperature sensors

A total of 52 sensors supply data about the temperature distribution of the bridge and a measurement is performed every 15 minutes. The results hereof are immediately available on the online platform. The sensors are distributed over the different parts of the bridge, being the deck, sides, primary stiffeners, and secondary stiffeners.

![Placement of the temperature sensors.png](/uploads/Placement_of_the_temperature_sensors_6e8c7e5b3f.png)

*Placement of the temperature sensors*

### Temperature modeling

Ansys software is used to create a finite element model of the bridge. This model uses the surface polynomials to determine the temperature distribution in the structure. The animation below shows the temperature of the deck on 1 August between 10:00-15:00.

![The temperature on the deck](/uploads/The_temperature_on_the_deck_24f20a5ab5.png)

*The temperature on the deck on 1 August between 10:00-15:00*

### Expulsion simulations

Differences in temperature cause the bridge to warp. The first figure shows the expansion of the left and right. The differences in expansion show clear similarities with the measured temperature differences in the bridge. The second figure shows the relationship between the average temperature and the average expansion. The directional coefficient of the linear relationship can be interpreted as the thermal expansion coefficient of the bridge.

![Bridge expansion and relationship of temperature.png](/uploads/Bridge_expansion_and_relationship_of_temperature_d59826315b.png)

*The expansion of the left and right*

![Results of the simulations and the predictions of the empirical relationship. ](/uploads/results_of_the_simulations_and_the_predictions_of_the_empirical_relationship_f101269ab8.png)
*The relationship between the average temperature and the average expansion*

### Expulsion prediction

The ratios of the temperatures of the sides and the primary stiffeners are used to predict the degree of warping. An empirical relationship is defined that gives the maximum expansion: δ𝑚𝑎𝑥 = δ𝑎𝑣𝑔 ∙ (𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑠 ∙ 𝑐1 + 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 ∙ 1 – 𝑐1) 𝑐2. The coefficients are chosen so that the margin of error is minimized. The figure below shows the results of the simulations and the predictions of the empirical relationship. The maximum deviation is 0.2 mm.

![the results of the simulations and the predictions of the empirical relationship](/uploads/the_results_of_the_simulations_and_the_predictions_of_the_empirical_relationship_ed0559913f.png)

*The results of the simulations and the predictions of the empirical relationship*

### System adjustments

Before the system can be used to predict the dilatation joint, the system will have to be calibrated. The predicted expansions must be defined in relation to a reference temperature, reference length and reference dilatation joint. The measurements of the distances between the abutments and the dilatation joint are combined to determine these values. These values are measured at five different points to determine the accuracy of the warp prediction.

### System operation

After the system has been calibrated, the current temperature measurements can be translated into a minimal dilatation gap. The degree of change can be used to give a timely warning. Now the combination of temperature measurements and weather data can be used to predict an expected dilatation gap based on a weather forecast!


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Automated measurements to anticipate dilation of the Binnenhavenbrug

1. Why the Engineering and Construction industry is falling behind
2. Key components for a successful digital transformation
3. Stages of starting a digital transformation
4. Implementing your first digital transformation
5. What digital transformation means for you

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By 2021, the Engineering and Construction industry is one of the fastest growing sectors. Even though the sector is growing rapidly, it is still amongst the least digitized industries around the world. This is not due to the lack of supply of digital solutions, but rather due to the fact that the adoption of new technologies is not forthcoming within the industry. Finding ways to boost this adoption is both a big challenge and opportunity. Therefore, it is important we start at the right place.

There are three aspects to digital transformation: first people, then process, and after that technology. Adopting new digital solutions in your organization is impossible when your people are not on board with it. That is why convincing your people about the benefits is the first priority in digitally transforming your organization. Instead of looking at the digital solution from a technology perspective, you have to look at it from a people perspective. Your digital solution should never be implemented for digital’s sake. It is there to help the people in your organization do their job easier, quicker, better, and with more pleasure. After they are convinced that it will do just that, digital transformation can start!

In this white paper, it is explained how you can start digitally transforming your organization whilst keeping people at the centre of your digital solution. 



See how you can boost digital transformation in your company in the E&C industry by putting people first and technology second!

Read all about how you can boost digital transformation for your company in the Engineering and Construction industry by centralizing digital solutions around people, instead of around technology. 

People First, Tech Second: The Way to Boost Digital Transformation in the E&C Industry

Original source: [Land+Water](https://mocs698.sharepoint.com/sites/Marketing/Gedeelde%20documenten/Marketing/Land%20+%20Water_%20Artikel%20module%20damwandconstructies%20%20ism%20Viktor.pdf), nr 3 – March 2020. K. Nijs / R. Reurings.

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Companies in construction and infra are experiencing a turbulent transformation to higher levels of digitalization. The reason for this being that this sector is lagging behind quite significantly compared to other industries. Just like in other sectors, digital transformation is happening on all kinds of aspects and throughout all phases of a project. This means that digital transformation is a relevant topic from tender and engineering to execution and maintenance.
 
Voorbij Funderingstechniek noticed the potential of this transformation in their industry and decided to act upon it. How? By using VIKTOR to automate and optimize part of their processes to be able to generate the best designs fast!

## Process analysis determines potential

For the first step towards building their own app, Voorbij Funderingstechniek started with a process analysis. The goal of this analysis is to gain insight into the impact of automation on business processes and what this means for the current processes. 

This sparked some opportunities. Currently, a sheet pile calculation is still an intensive and iterative process. To come up with a first design, a significant number of variables needs to be considered, such as the layout of the soil, the desired excavation depth, environmental influences, loads, and desired construction phase. This results in one or more normative sections with corresponding starting points. 

After the first design, every small change requires a new model and a new calculation. That means that all files need to be copied and everywhere one parameter, such as the type of sheet pile, the length, or the drainage, needs to be changed manually. In a typical design process, the second design also does not meet all requirements yet. The process of copying and adjusting keeps repeating itself, for every defined section, multiple times. This is exactly where digitization makes a difference; by automating repetitive tasks a lot of time can be won. 

Another complication is that for projects with multiple sheet piles often a ‘normative’ design is used for all sheet piles. Here, a sheet pile is designed as well as possible (within the stated time) and duplicated to all other sheet piles.

![Blog_smart_application_contributes_sustainable_future_construction](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Voorbij_areal_a17012b79f.jpg)


## Cost reduction

By automating the design process, a lot more design iterations can be performed, resulting in cost reduction with regards to materials used and time savings for engineering. Risk of errors becomes close to zero as well because processes are automatically copied, pasted, and adjusted. Additionally, and maybe most importantly, automating processes gives engineers more time to apply their specialist knowledge on more challenging projects to create a real added value. 

With their process analysis, Voorbij identified a couple of opportunities that function as input: 

- Repeatedly copying models
- Inserting variables
- Getting results per section

With a custom application on the VIKTOR platform, these processes can be automated and linked to different steps, such as analyzing CPTs, calculating designs in calculation software, and iterating until the results are sufficient. 

## Web-based

VIKTOR is a web-based platform for the development of online applications with Python. In Voorbij’s application, Python is used to program and guarantee professional and business knowledge, specifically by integrating all relevant data sources and software programs. 

With Voorbij’s VIKTOR app, data and analysis results are centralized and made available through a dashboard to all relevant (authorized) people. This ensures that everyone always has access to all insights and the correct up-to-date information.
 
To automate and later optimize sheet piles designs, the process first needs to be standardized in the application. To achieve standardization, the right ‘recipe’ needs to be discovered that always delivers a good result. Questions asked here are: “How do we process a CPT?” “How do we build the model and how do we process the results?”. Only after everyone agrees on this, automation can follow. 

![CC_Voorbij_sheet_piles](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/CC_Voorbij_sheet_piles_180f2cab82.png)

*Result output of the BASEFT Sheet Pile application*

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## Automation

The online application is designed as a central entry point of all variables. It creates the models itself, performs the calculations, and generates a summary of the results. 

If we follow this route, there is no need to perform any repetitive tasks. Do all sections roughly have the same excavation depth? Does the engineer want to iterate sheet pile lengths? In that case, the input only needs to be adjusted in one spot in the application to recalculate all the sections! Fast iterations like this, combined with the results gathered from multiple sections, generate lots of information that can be used to make connections between, for example, drainage and required sheet pile length. 

Automation is of course not restricted to inserting variables and generating models. Other processes, such as drainage, determining head heights (instead of manually inserting these in D-SheetPiling), and more, are automated as well. 

![CC_Voorbij_sheet_piles2](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/CC_Voorbij_sheet_piles2_b90017729c.png)

*Parameter input of the BASEFT Sheet Pile application*

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## Optimization 

Now that it is possible to automatically perform multiple sheet pile calculations, optimization can start. The most important question is: What is the goal of the optimization? Is this the cheapest, lowest CO2 emission? Or the easiest executable sheet pile? By specifically defining this goal, a couple of conditions will naturally follow. Based on these conditions, the application calculates the optimal design. This can be in either tens or even thousands of iterations. 

Let’s say that the cheapest sheet pile is your goal. In that case, the application works as follows: If the previous design is more than adequate and has a certain price, the next design can be repeated but for a shorter and lighter sheet pile with a lower price. If this design is no longer adequate, you can take a step back and make the sheet pile a bit heavier, but for a lower price than with the first design. This can be repeated until the optimum is found between price and requirements. 

In essence, digitization of the construction and infra sector should create a distinctiveness because the automation of repetitive work leaves engineers more time for the real and fun thinking. 

Automate the boring. Engineer the awesome! 

## Interested?

Are you interested in this development as well? Visit [www.voorbijfunderigstechniek.nl]( https://www.voorbijfunderingstechniek.nl/technieken/grondkerende-constructies/stalen-damwand) or contact Richard Reurings at r.reurings@voorbijft.nl for more information.


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VoorbijFT uses VIKTOR to automate and optimize part of their processes to be able to generate the best designs fast!

Optimal sheet pile design within reach

Customer cases