Building information modelling (BIM) of tension supporting elements for ground reinforcement

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is increasingly adopted in geotechnical engineering but remains hindered by the lack of standardised modelling methods and functional data structures. This paper presents a novel, generalisable BIM data model specifically for tension supporting elements (i.e., anchors, soil nails, rock bolts etc.) which are used in almost every geotechnical project. Unlike previous efforts focusing primarily on construction-stage documentation, this study advances the state-of-the-art by integrating the full project lifecycle, including design, installation, inspection, and maintenance. The proposed data structure defines Level of Development (LOD) requirements for both geometry and metadata, aligned with project phases and maintenance needs. Three real-world cases from Norwegian infrastructure projects, covering tunnels, slopes, and foundations, form the basis for the proposed model, ensuring practical relevance and adaptability. The data structure is expandable such that maintenance-related information at different periods can be appended and back-traced. Even though realisation and testing in real projects are necessary, the proposed data structure is already proven to be compatible with parametric design, the most used LOD frameworks, and common data exchange formats e.g. “Industry Foundation Class” (IFC) for BIM.