1. Context
The field of Civil Engineering is undergoing a profound transformation driven by digital technologies, reshaping sectors such as water supply services. Climate change, rising energy costs, and declining freshwater reserves have made universal access to clean water a global priority. In alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, intelligent water management systems that leverage information and communication technologies are essential for addressing these challenges, given that these technologies can optimise resource management, reduce inefficiencies, and enhance resilience through real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and data-driven decision-making, leading to more sustainable water services.
BUILT CoLAB is actively leading digitalisation efforts in Portugal’s water sector through its collaboration with Águas do Douro e Paiva (AdDP). Recognising the need for effective asset management, AdDP has partnered with BUILT CoLAB to digitalise its water infrastructures using the Scan-to-BIM methodology (Figure 1). This initiative leveraged laser scanning technology and point clouds to create a digital representation of the physical environment.
By integrating asset data into the BIM-modelled objects, seamless parametric and geometric information management is enabled. This project has laid the foundation for the future implementation of Digital Twin technology in AdDP’s assets and infrastructures. As a result of this partnership, 13 hydraulic infrastructures were modelled to improve water management.
2. Scan-to-BIM
The project involved surveying the assets to be modelled and working closely with AdDP’s management team to define parametric and geometric details at three levels of detail. These levels were analysed to determine the most suitable configuration for the final project models. Using laser scanning technology and point cloud modelling, a structured plan was developed to guide the digitalisation process.
A comprehensive survey of AdDP’s selected infrastructures was conducted to document all managed assets. This data was critical in defining the necessary parameters and identifying BIM families to be developed or sourced from suppliers’ BIM libraries, when available.
Following the asset survey and BIM family development, a laser scanning schedule was established to scan all 13 infrastructures within AdDP’s water supply subsystem. The survey (Figure 2) was carried out using Leica’s BLK2GO scanner, a portable laser scanner that enabled efficient and rapid data collection. Once the point clouds were acquired, they were processed to remove noise data that could hinder the modelling process.
Three infrastructures were selected as pilot cases to demonstrate different levels of detail. As illustrated in Figure 3, these models – categorized as Levels 1, 2, and 3 – varied in geometric and alphanumeric complexity and were delivered to AdDP for evaluation. By analysing these references, the most appropriate level of detail for asset management was determined, incorporating elements from each level as needed.
The goal was to balance modelling time with the level of detail, as greater detail increases development time. Given AdDP’s extensive infrastructure portfolio, achieving an efficient compromise for digitization was crucial.
The final level of detail integrates elements from Levels 2 and 3, forming a standardized template that guided the modelling of the remaining 13 infrastructures. This process consolidated the BIM template, object library, and overall digitization strategy, ensuring consistency in detail across all modelled infrastructures.
As a result, AdDP’s team now have centralized access to 13 digital models containing relevant infrastructure information, enhancing asset management capabilities.
Alongside modelling, a Common Data Environment (CDE) was implemented to store, share, and manage infrastructure data efficiently.
The modelling and data storage were designed with the future goal of establishing digital twins in mind, enabling the integration of real-time data dynamically provided by sensors in hydraulic systems. These sensors continuously update key operational parameters such as flow measurements, reservoir levels, and energy consumption.
The completion of this structured digital database paves the way for digital twins, significantly improving AdDP’s infrastructure management. These digital twins enable virtual access to facilities, provide detailed technical and geometric information, and deliver real-time reports to support informed decision-making.
3. Conclusion
The digitalization of AdDP’s water supply infrastructures, facilitated by BUILT CoLAB’s methodological approach and the Scan-to-BIM methodology, represents a significant advancement in the efficient and sustainable management of water resources in Portugal. The integration of digital twins enables precise and informed asset management, enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability.
This project underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the transformative potential of digital technologies in civil engineering. By successfully completing this initial phase, a strong foundation has been established for the full-scale digitalization of AdDP’s infrastructures, setting the stage for future phases that will further develop and refine this methodology.
The continued expansion of digital twins and BIM technologies within Portugal’s water sector will enhance infrastructure management, optimizing efficiency, paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable future for water supply services.
4. Team
Several BUILT CoLAB members contributed to this project, including Débora Pinto, Luís Jacques, Ana Rocha, and Luís Sanhudo, with additional support from Raquel Caetano of Águas do Douro e Paiva S.A.
5. Scientific Publications
- Martins, J. P., Jacques L., Pinto, D., Rocha, A., Sanhudo, L., & Caetano, R. (2024). “Novas tecnologias no suporte às atividades da Construção – Inovação na gestão do abastecimento de água: das Nuvens de Pontos ao Digital Twin com recurso à metodologia BIM.” 121, 27–31.
