Análise da viabilidade financeira do uso de BIM em projeto de rede de esgoto: estudo de caso

Abstract

Advances in digital technologies have brought about significant changes in the design and development processes of civil engineering projects, especially in the areas of urban infrastructure and basic sanitation. In this context, Building Information Modeling (BIM) has emerged as a methodology capable of integrating geometric, technical, and quantitative information within a collaborative digital environment, in contrast to conventional methods based on two-dimensional Computer-Aided Design (CAD). The objective of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of the application of the conventional CAD method and the BIM methodology in the development of sewer collection network designs for an open urban subdivision, through a case study. The case study was applied to an urban development consisting of 988 lots, located in Minas Gerais, whose original CAD design called for the installation of a Sewage Pumping Station (SPS) due to the supposed impossibility of gravity flow. The methodology adopted is characterized as applied research, developed based on the technical analysis of an existing CAD project and the subsequent modeling of the sewer collection system in a BIM environment, using Autodesk Civil 3D® software. The methodological steps include the analysis of the conventional design, the creation of the terrain surface based on the final contour lines, the development of the BIM model of the sewer system, and a technical and cost comparison between the methodologies. Based on the BIM modeling, it was possible to parametrically adjust factors such as the slope and depth of the manholes to enable gravity flow, thereby eliminating the need for a pumping station. The cost analysis revealed that, although the costs of the sewer system increased due to the deeper installation of pipes and manholes, the elimination of the pumping station resulted in an overall savings of 17.1% for the developers. It is concluded that the BIM methodology provides greater precision in project development and contributes to reducing the overall costs of the project.