Last week, I was pleased to visit Bentley Systems’ New Delhi office and talk with Mr. Kaushik Chakraborty, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific, and Mr. Kamalakannan Thiruvadi, Regional Executive, South Asia.
Our discussion on Bentley’s offerings and their applications in various aspects of infrastructure, including design, analysis, construction, handover, operations, and maintenance, was highly informative. It was also enlightening to delve into topics like BIM, digital twins, and the widespread adoption of these technologies across the sector.
Furthermore, gaining insights into Bentley’s perspective on India’s evolving infrastructure landscape, as well as their thoughts on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), 3D printing, and the Bentley Education program, was truly valuable.
You can find the full interview here.
Digital twin technology is increasingly becoming an essential element in infrastructure projects. Could you provide insights into Bentley’s digital twin platform and its capabilities in this regard?
Mr. Kaushik Chakraborty: When we look at the evolution of engineering over time, it’s not that we’re doing fundamentally different things today than we did in the past. The real difference lies in how we approach and execute these tasks. The key change is our ability to make data-centric decisions.
In the past, accessing data for research and decision-making was a time-consuming and challenging process. Today, with technological advancements like Google and other search engines, information is readily available with just a few clicks. The concept of a digital twin takes this idea further, creating a dynamic model that integrates engineering, IT, and operational data to provide valuable insights.
Think of a digital twin as a comprehensive health checkup for infrastructure. Similar to how we monitor our health over time to predict potential issues, a digital twin enables us to gain valuable insights into the performance and maintenance requirements of critical infrastructure. It is particularly crucial because infrastructure projects often span several years during construction but are expected to operate efficiently for decades, making proactive monitoring and maintenance essential for their long-term success.
Surprisingly, the cost of designing and constructing infrastructure is relatively small compared to the long-term operational costs. Whether it’s a building, a product, or a complex system, such as a water supply or metro system, this data-centric approach is the key to efficient and sustainable management.
Governments typically focus heavily on the initial design and construction costs of projects, but the long-term operational costs often go overlooked. The concept of creating a live data model, such as a building information model (BIM), is crucial. It allows for more efficient operation and maintenance of structures.
Consider a scenario where a building ages, develops leaks and requires maintenance. Often, the maintenance team may struggle to identify the source of a problem, leading to unnecessary disruptions. This is where BIM and advanced technologies come into play.
In today’s world, we’ve transitioned from traditional 2D drawings to 3D models and now to BIM models. BIM allows for comprehensive data capture and visualization, making it easier to identify issues, plan maintenance, and avoid unnecessary wall demolitions or extensive post-handover reconstructions.
Mr. Kamalakannan Thiruvadi: In essence, it’s about proactive, data-driven maintenance and management, reducing costs and disruptions in the long run.
In a BIM model, various rules, associations, and attributes are embedded, making it essentially a real-time model. When designing in BIM, specific rules guide the process. For example, a door must be three feet wide, with a particular swing direction. These rules ensure that no obstacles are within a specified range to allow the door to function properly.
Taking it a step further, BIM models can incorporate intelligence. For instance, a room’s design must consider the door’s insulation properties, particularly if the room experiences extreme temperature variations. This intelligence adds an extra layer of sophistication to the model.
The goal is to maintain data integrity throughout the project’s lifecycle, which is when a true digital twin comes into play.
Consider the conventional process in infrastructure design. Companies create detailed 3D models, which are then translated into 2D plans for construction. These plans are further modified in the field, resulting in manual markups and adjustments. This process often involves disconnecting intelligent 3D data into simpler, less intelligent forms.
Mr. Kaushik Chakraborty: Let us use the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) as an example. They initially designed projects in their offices but realized that significant changes were needed on-site when actual work started. These changes led to revisions in the field, with manual annotations and alterations on paper plans. This transition from intelligent 3D data to disconnected 2D paper-based workflows can lead to accountability issues, as changes aren’t always properly documented.
The concept of a digital twin aims to address this problem. It seeks to ensure that digital information remains consistent throughout a project’s lifecycle. It means maintaining a collaborative approach where design updates are documented and tracked. When a project transitions to the operations team, they have a clear understanding of the original design, the reasons behind any modifications, and access to updated models. This situation creates a sense of accountability and consequences for changes made during a project’s lifecycle.
Around 20 years ago, an engineering firm delivered Singapore’s first major water treatment plant, a billion-dollar project that supplied fresh water to a significant portion of the population. The project was designed in 3D using software from three different companies.
Recently, the plant faced operational challenges. Instead of investing heavily in laser scanning and recreating the entire model, this firm leveraged existing data. They located 90% accurate data from the old models, saved substantial costs, and reduced the need for extensive laser scanning.
This example highlights the importance of utilizing intelligent data and making data-centric decisions throughout a project’s lifecycle, ultimately saving resources and improving efficiency.
Mr. Kamalakannan Thiruvadi: The iTwin Platform serves as our digital twin solution, and our vision is to establish it as a fully open platform. One of our primary objectives is to ensure that our platform seamlessly integrates with a wide range of industry-specific software applications. We have adopted open-source file formats, and a significant portion of our platform is also available as open-source software. Our intention is to promote widespread adoption, recognizing that most projects involve the use of multiple vendor solutions. This inclusivity is a fundamental principle of our platform’s foundation.
The significance of the digital twin project lies in its ability to preserve intelligence throughout the lifecycle of an asset. Merely relying on a BIM model, and then having constructors create their independent 3D models, results in the loss of valuable insights that could prove beneficial during the ongoing, ever-evolving stages of asset operation and maintenance.
Can you provide a recent example of the application of Bentley’s digital twin technology in India?
Mr. Kaushik Chakraborty: Certainly, numerous organizations in India are harnessing the potential of our digital twin technologies. I’d like to spotlight a particular case—the Ayodhya water supply project. In a bid to ensure the provision of safe and dependable drinking water while phasing out outdated gravity-fed networks, the Ayodhya Authority, under the auspices of India’s government initiatives, enlisted the services of Geoinfo Services. Their mandate was to engineer a pressurized city water supply system. Nonetheless, the intricate modeling of a network comprising hundreds of pipes and nodes posed challenges that conventional software solutions couldn’t address.
To transform Ayodhya’s existing system into a dependable and energy-efficient network, Geoinfo turned to OpenFlows, leveraging hydraulic modeling and digital twin technology from Bentley. This decision significantly reduced design time by 75%, and optimized pipe diameters, resulting in a saving of USD 2.5 million. The newly optimized network not only saves USD 1.5 million in annual operating expenses and USD 46,025 in annual energy costs but also eliminates 347 tons of carbon emissions each year.
Additionally, the digital twin allows for virtual monitoring with 95% confidence, enhancing decision-making and crisis management. Notably, this project addresses health concerns caused by leakages, making a positive societal impact. Indeed, it’s an exciting world-class project, and it’s a fantastic achievement that it has been nominated for the 2023 Going Digital Awards in Infrastructure. The event is set to take place in October 2023, and we’re eagerly looking forward to the results.
Is it possible to implement digital twins for historical buildings, bridges, and existing infrastructure, which may have been constructed 50 to 100 years ago?
Mr. Kaushik Chakraborty: It is entirely feasible, and collecting data is key. Let us look at the example of bridge monitoring and inspection, a field that I’m currently involved in. They’ve collected various data types, including structural and other data, over time. This data, along with census data, has been used to create a digital twin model. Accuracy is crucial, and the longer the data collection period, the stronger the model can become. For instance, if an asset is designed to last 100 years, the current year’s data can be combined with historical data to build a robust digital twin.
Digital twin technology is not limited to new infrastructure but is equally applicable to existing assets. In India, with extensive new infrastructure projects underway, digital twins can provide significant benefits. Additionally, in regions where infrastructure may be over a century old, affordable Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and drones can capture essential data on factors such as displacement and vibration. This data can be used to recreate historical information within the digital twin, enabling engineers to monitor structural conditions, anticipate potential issues, and prioritize maintenance efforts effectively. This data-driven approach offers invaluable insights for informed decision-making.
Digital twins, when combined with advanced technologies like AI and robust data analytics, enable organizations to optimize resource usage. This efficiency spans from the design phase to ongoing diagnostic and predictive analyses during operations. Such capabilities open significant avenues for the infrastructure sector to pioneer innovative approaches in design, construction, operation, and monitoring. It becomes increasingly vital as a substantial portion of global civil infrastructure is aging.
Mr. Kamalakannan Thiruvadi: Aging infrastructure is not only a financial concern but also has significant environmental and sustainability implications. It’s crucial to prioritize the development of innovative methods for designing, constructing, operating, and monitoring infrastructure. These approaches are essential to gain a deeper understanding of present and future infrastructure needs and their intricate ties to sustainability.
What obstacles hinder the widespread adoption of digital twins in infrastructure, and what strategies can be employed to surmount these barriers?
Mr. Kaushik Chakraborty: While implementing digital twins in infrastructure projects presents several complex challenges, these obstacles can be surmounted with the right technology solutions. First, there’s the technological challenge of integrating advanced and often complex technologies, which can be costly and intricate. Second, cultural factors play a critical role, necessitating organizations to proactively address resistance to change and cultivate an innovation-friendly digital culture to ensure successful adoption.
Additionally, addressing the shortage of skilled professionals in digital twin technology requires recruitment and training initiatives. Managing the vast amounts of data generated by digital twins presents another challenge, necessitating strong data security measures and rigorous data quality control. Interoperability is essential to enable seamless collaboration among various systems and software.
Addressing scalability challenges, especially for large and intricate infrastructure, can be daunting. Privacy and security must be rigorously maintained to protect sensitive data. Navigating complex regulatory and legal issues, particularly related to data and privacy, is essential. Ensuring the ongoing effectiveness of digital twin systems through maintenance and updates is crucial. Educating stakeholders and promoting awareness of digital twin benefits and best practices is vital for widespread adoption. These challenges underscore the need for a comprehensive approach when integrating digital twins into infrastructure projects.
What is the budget allocated for technology development by Bentley, and is it driven by client demands? What is the starting point for initiating technology development?
Mr. Kamalakannan Thiruvadi: The development of digital twin technology is influenced by both user-driven innovation, driven by client and end-user needs, and innovation-driven progress, guided by a vision to advance technology and establish an open platform.
Many advancements in the digital twin platform are driven by a broader vision rather than specific clients or users. This vision, often set by industry leaders, focuses on establishing an open platform that transcends software or vendor constraints. Instead, it aims to seamlessly connect different disciplines, companies, and projects, promoting collaboration without the limitations of vendor lock-in.
The open approach enables interoperability with various software, be it from Bentley or other organizations. In essence, digital twin technology development is a collaborative endeavor, fueled by user needs and a dedication to technological advancement and openness.
A crucial step in advancing digital twin technology is our wholehearted adoption of cloud computing. The cloud provides the benefit of auto-scaling, allowing the system to adapt effortlessly to fluctuating user numbers, from a few users to thousands, without hardware limitations. To help facilitate, we’ve established a strategic partnership with Microsoft, particularly for development efforts in India.
AI/ML is a hot topic in various industries. Do you believe it has the potential to disrupt the construction industry as well?
Mr. Kaushik Chakraborty: AI and ML are driving digital transformation in construction. Many routine construction tasks can be automated, rescheduled, or optimized, reducing manual labour and improving efficiency. However, AI’s effectiveness relies on high-quality data, and the construction industry’s document-based processes pose challenges.
AI and ML can address these challenges by streamlining communication, reducing errors, and enhancing collaboration in construction projects. While AI and ML have made significant strides, their full integration into the construction industry may take more time compared to other sectors, as seen in the evolution of speech recognition technology over decades.
What is your perspective on the ongoing transformation of infrastructure in India? In what ways is Bentley playing a part in fostering infrastructure growth?
Mr. Kaushik Chakraborty: In recent years, India has been actively working to enhance its infrastructure development. The government acknowledges the pivotal role of strong infrastructure in supporting economic growth, attracting investments, generating employment, and enhancing the overall quality of life for its population. To lay out a comprehensive roadmap for infrastructure development, the government has initiated the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP). This plan encompasses a long-term vision and framework, encompassing both greenfield and brownfield investments, spanning various sectors.
Mr. Kamalakannan Thiruvadi: India’s accomplishments in the last five years are astounding, given the country’s size and population. The strides made in highway development, road networks, rail systems, and metro projects are notable. Even in remote parts of India, infrastructure can outshine some cities.
For nearly four decades, Bentley has been a prominent contributor to the field of infrastructure engineering. The company provides an array of applications that assist diverse organizations, including government departments, public sector undertakings, and private consultants, across the entire spectrum of infrastructure development, encompassing design, analysis, construction, handover, operations, and maintenance.
What are your perspectives on the role of 3D printing in infrastructure, such as the recent inauguration of a post office building, completed in just 45 days using this technology?
Mr. Kamalakannan Thiruvadi: The construction industry, under pressure to meet tight schedules and budgets, is turning to innovation to address these challenges. 3D printing offers significant potential for boosting efficiency in construction. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that 3D printing with concrete is a relatively nascent technology, especially concerning concrete materials. Currently, most concrete 3D printers are in the testing and refinement phase and have not yet reached the level of optimization in the infrastructure sector.
I can see a notable surge in interest in precast technology across various sectors, including real estate, railways, metros, and bridges. This method diverges from traditional construction by utilizing pre-manufactured components assembled in a factory. Precast technology has already proven its worth by substantially cutting construction timelines. Its distinguishing feature lies not only in its ability to accelerate construction but also in its capacity to elevate the overall quality of the end result.
Mr. Kaushik Chakraborty: It’s worth contemplating the government’s potential prioritization of precast technology in highway construction and road development. This strategy holds the promise of expediting project schedules while upholding rigorous construction standards.
In terms of Bentley’s solutions, what solutions are available to sub-contractors and tier 2 and tier 3 contractors who are actively involved in ground-level project execution?
Mr. Kaushik Chakraborty: We are pleased and motivated by the enthusiastic adoption of our solutions among tier 2 and tier 3 contractors. In fact, two years ago, we introduced our e-store and initiated Virtuosity, tailored to cater to small businesses. We recognize that subcontractors value flexible purchasing options, rapid adoption, and cost-effective models for accessing these solutions.
We understand the importance of quick learning and adoption for subcontractors, and that’s precisely why we designed Virtuosity. This program operates on an annual subscription model, which proves to be highly cost-effective, especially in the Indian market. Purchasing is simplified through online credit card transactions, and we’re pleased to report a rapid adoption rate in India. Once a subscription is acquired, we provide tailored guidance and training to meet specific needs, enabling customers to start using the products within just a few days. This not only saves them training expenses but also accelerates their project kick-off.
Mr. Kamalakannan Thiruvadi: The user-based subscription model has allowed us to maintain consistency and deliver high-quality service to our users, and it’s been a highly successful venture. In the past few months, we’ve seen over 200 customers subscribe to this product due to its practical pricing and rapid software adoption for their projects in India. We remain committed to supporting their success in these projects. Our subscription options vary to accommodate different user needs, including annual subscriptions, flexible licenses, and enterprise licenses tailored for large-scale projects and their contractors.
Why did Bentley discontinue PowerDraft 2D CAD?
Mr. Kaushik Chakraborty: You’re inquiring about the evolution of the AEC industry and digital twins. Discussing 2D CAD is akin to reverting to conventional tools. Primarily, we have the MicroStation 3D CAD platform, which also encompasses 2D CAD capabilities. PowerDraft, in the past, was a streamlined iteration of MicroStation. We do have some upcoming developments in this regard, which will be unveiled during the 2023 Year in Infrastructure and Going Digital Awards event in Singapore.
Our focus is squarely on discerning the industry’s future trajectory. Regrettably, 2D drafting isn’t emblematic of that future, as mentioned earlier. Nowadays, individuals are crafting in 3D and then translating it into 2D.
Engaging in 2D design, especially for road design, is unequivocally discouraged in the contemporary context. In today’s era, when you need to address concerns such as waterlogging and ensure efficient construction planning with precise excavation calculations, opting for a 3D approach proves significantly advantageous. Utilizing a 3D design approach not only reduces the time required for the project but also minimizes labor costs. It’s a win-win scenario where both the project efficiency and the contractor’s budget benefit.
In the context of rapidly advancing technology, do you offer educational modules suitable for practicing engineers and engineering students?
Mr. Kamalakannan Thiruvadi: We run the Bentley Education program, which collaborates with colleges and universities worldwide. Our software modules are integrated into their curricula, offering students free access to Bentley software for valuable hands-on experience during their academic studies.
We also provide certification programs to help students enhance their skills and earn recognized credentials. Collaboration with select universities on specific projects is part of our support offering. After graduation, we connect certified graduates with top organizations seeking Bentley software-proficient talent.
In our dedication to customer engagement, we conduct on-site training tailored to project and module requirements, serving students, faculty, and industry professionals alike. Our goal is to foster collaboration between industries and universities, bridging the skills gap to meet industry needs.
I extend my gratitude to Mr. Kaushik Chakraborty and Mr. Kamalakannan Thiruvadi for their insightful discussion. If you have any questions for them or for DailyCADCAM, please feel free to leave a comment below or contact us via email at sachin@dailycadcam.com. We are more than happy to provide answers and further information.
Thank you,
Sachin Nalawade
