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Roucas Blanc Marina gets a makeover

Roucas Blanc Marina offers ideal training conditions for athletes

This summer, some 330 sailors from all over the world will compete at Roucas Blanc Marina. Undergoing new construction and renovation of historic areas dating back to the 70s, the famous Prado is getting ready for the sporting event of the decade. Sud Études Équipements reflects on a modernisation project involving efforts both on land and at sea.

About the Roucas Blanc Marina project

Located at the northern end of the Prado beaches, the Roucas Blanc Nautical Stadium is being modernised. Six buildings are under construction including one refurbished structure and marine works have been undertaken to modernise the nautical basin. 

The goal? To provide ideal training conditions for athletes from France's Marseille Sailing hub, as well as facilities for people of all skill levels.

The Marina in numbers

  • Total project area : 49,000 sqm
  • North quay area : 350 sqm
  • Internal breakwater : 750 sqm
  • Concrete volume : 630 m3
  • Weight of reinforcement : 80 tonnes

Tekla Structures 3D BIM model of Roucas Blanc Marina

A specialist in civil engineering and steel structures

SEE is a design office specialising in civil engineering and steel structures. Commissioned to carry out execution studies for the reinforced concrete of several structures including the new inner breakwater, a technical quay including a careening area, a lifting crane, fuelling station and also the new pontoons.

"The technical difficulty of this project lay in the design of a prefabricated structure on offshore piles, interfacing with the existing quay. This was a specific request from our customer, which enabled us to perfect our 3D precast design skills."

Gilles Deslous, Executive Assistant at SEE

Identifying BIM requirements

3D modelling was chosen by SEE for this project, enabling them to:

  • Facilitate project visualisation and technical exchanges
  • Ensure proper integration of prefabricated parts with other structures on site, as well as with existing buildings.

Close up of rebar detailing on Roucas Blanc Marina

Project phases

  1. Solicitation of SEE by the construction and prefabrication company.

  2. Launch of all reinforced EXE studies by SEE.

  3. Launch of the first 3D structural models, shared with the customer via Trimble Connect in order to discuss the design.

  4. Integration of all 2D drawings in Tekla Structures: topographies of the existing structures and studies from other design offices (networks, steel footbridges, etc.).

  5. Launch of the modelling of all parts with Tekla Structures.

  6. 3D re-modelling of key elements of the reinforced concrete structure.

  7. For the most complex structures: refinement of prefabricated elements and further discussion with the customer and prefabricator to ensure technical feasibility (dimensions, weight, construction company preferences, etc.).

  8. Once the parts have been fixed, launch of the 3D reinforcement with Tekla Structures.

  9. Output of formworks drawings

    1. layout drawings

    2. part by part and reinforcement.

  10. Transmission of drawings to subcontractors and launch of fabrication parts.

  11. Adjustment of models during the fabrication phase.

  12. Avaibility of the models for the erection team via Trimble Connect.

Complex 3D rebar model

SEE used Trimble for:

Better visualisation

  • 3D models allow you to better visualise your parts during production.
  • These models facilate understanding between the customer and all project stakeholders.

Helpful quantity take-off

  • Simplifies volume and weight calculations of prefabricated parts.

  • Facilitates lifting and transport of prefabricated elements.

  • Automatic quantity take-off via Tekla Structures.

  • Allows to justify quantity take-off to the final customer.

Collaboration

  • Integrates 3D models and 2D drawings from other project stakeholders.

  • Tekla Structures enables remote collaboration on the same project.

Easy erection on-site

  • Makes model exploration accessible to erection team via Trimble Connect, facilitating their understanding of the drawings.

  • Promote exchanges with on-site construction team and better responds to their needs.

"On-site erection went well and the fact that we were able to model everything in 3D – including reinforcement – and being able to share this model thanks to Trimble Connect was a great help to the site teams. We had no unpleasant surprises during the erection on-site."

Gilles Deslous, Executive Assistant at SEE

Building for sporting excellence.

Building Information Modelling can be found at the heart of many major sporting events, from cleaning up the River Seine ready for swimmers, to providing accommodation for competing athletes.

Learn how France readied itself for a summer of sport, visit the Sporting Excellence website.