How Hinkley Point C got a power-up with BIM

Model of reinforced concrete buildings with artists impression of nuclear power station in background

Hinkley Point C in the United Kingdom is a new nuclear power station that is being constructed adjacent to the existing Hinkley Point A and B stations. The Hinkley Point C project by Atkins is the winner of the Tekla Global BIM Awards 2018 Industrial category, beating 24 other competing projects in this category.

The power plant will consist of two new nuclear reactors capable of generating 3.2GW of energy, which will provide low carbon energy to 6 million homes, and is due to start producing electricity in 2025. Atkins provides the detailed structural design along with integrated 3D reinforced concrete building models. These include the technical galleries, which are a series of underground tunnels connecting the structures, as well as a large number of buildings that support the generation of electricity.

Hinkley Point C in numbers

30,000+ people working in the project
300+ detailers
80+ BIM technicians
234 000 tonnes of concrete
12000+ drawings (not printed)
6 million homes with low carbon energy
234 million tons of total reinforcement weight
1000+ RC models
2 new reactors capable of creating 3.2 GW energy
In 2025 starts the production

BIM model showing complicated rebar and a series of underground tunnels weaved between the rebar connecting the structures

Paperless rebar detailing

Hinkley Point C is one of the largest construction projects in the world, with over 30,000 people involved in the project, including 300+ detailers and 80+ BIM technicians. Considering the project’s 234 000 tons of concrete and total reinforcement weight of 234 million tons, a vast amount of rebar detailing is involved. What’s more, Atkins is aiming to go paperless. The goal is for all construction to be built using 3D models. Needless to say, it’s clear that Atkins has a huge challenge on their hands.

With this exceptional level of rebar detailing - the traditional methods just don’t do it. Rebar drawings are so hard to read, so hard to understand. Reviewing fully detailed rebar models is definitely the way to go.
Mr. Craig Garrett, Project Technology Leader at BuroHappold Engineering, Middle East

3d BIM model of Hinkley Point C showing large of complex rebar with a close-up of rebar to the left

How Tekla helped Hinkley Point C

To ensure the project runs smoothly, BIM has been used to the fullest. This has resulted in benefits for both designers and contractors. As part of the detailed design packages, Atkins have used Tekla Structures to provide a fully-integrated 3D reinforcement model. Design engineers were able to tackle the huge amount of rebar detailing more efficiently by using Tekla software, for example, automate repetitive tasks, improve data integration and management and improve quality assurance.

Thanks to BIM, the contractors have been able to establish early procurement of rebar and create detailed method statements as input for design. With full cinematics for complicated areas, they could use animations to demonstrate that embeds will fit amongst the rebar and help the installation sequence for bars along edges and with long spacing.

Artists impression of Hinkley Point C shows two large central concrete buildings with domed containment buildings to the rear