Zutec and HS2: building the future of UK transportation

The cutting-edge construction software provider is currently delivering digital solutions for the southern section of the railway led by Skanska, Costain and STRABAG (SCS)

• SCS has developed a revolutionary digital strategy and ‘Digital Blueprint’ for BIM, selecting Zutec as its construction software supplier

• SCS is implementing a fully integrated end-to-end process, from design to construction to operation, connecting the engineering data and quality documentation with real-time reporting to benefit the entire project

SCS, a joint venture between Skanska, Costain and STRABAG, is delivering the southern section of the £106bn HS2 project. This project is one of the most complex and challenging railway initiatives the United Kingdom has ever undertaken, and is tasked with saving the government £500million in digital efficiencies, proving HS2 Ltd’s commitment to applying global best practice in design and construction.

In order to meet the government’s targets, SCS devised a bold digital strategy, connecting data models with information flow, removing paper from construction sites, and improving accuracy and quality through direct digital connections. To help it achieve this, the team has implemented leading construction management software, Zutec.

A digital journey

SCS began developing a ‘Digital Blueprint’ for BIM on large infrastructure projects from tender stage, supporting HS2’s aim to ‘go beyond the government’s mandate to transform the way the industry has traditionally designed, constructed and managed infrastructure projects.’

In the first phase of its digital information flow project, all inspection and test plans (ITPs), permitting, site communication, red lining, as-builts and management of temporary works are set to be integrated effectively with the data model, and will digitise approximately five million quality check sheets.

As part of accelerating the transition to cloud technology, Zutec drove implementation at speed, adapting to provide training and support remotely thereby ensuring site teams felt comfortable and secure in using the tool. The benefit was proven when the design team could review and confidently sign off piling records without going to site.

Further, the project offers health and safety, time, cost, data security, environmental and quality benefits by enabling data in forms to be pre-populated from the model (one source of the truth), forms to be filled out and reviewed digitally, full audit trails, and a reduction of digital platforms staff have to use, as well as response times, by up to 80%.

Collaboration and innovation

Crucially, Zutec enhances performance and efficiencies through streamlining site inspections with automated workflows, notifications and PIN-secured signatures in a common data environment (CDE). It has also allowed SCS to package the final handover documentation almost instantly and provides an ideal environment for all involved to input more accurate records into the digital twin, which can then be passed over to the client to maintain the railway.

In addition, Zutec supports supply chain integration by giving suppliers, who have been integral in shaping the final solution, access to the BIM data lake (database of all engineering data) through pre-populated forms.

Peter Ruff, Head of BIM for SCS HS2, says, “During this project, Zutec has demonstrated the true value of digital twins in asset management. The software also proved to be a lifeline during the pandemic, as it allowed us to adopt cloud technology quickly and efficiently, and still hit all of our key milestones. We were even able to adapt quickly to provide training and support remotely, thereby ensuring site teams felt comfortable and secure in using the product.”

To date, the system has been rolled out to 550 staff and 48 subcontractors, growing to 1500+ users and 80 companies in 2022. From the on-site time and cost savings of reducing the Inspection and Test Plan sign-off process from 21 days to four—a 90% reduction in time spent completing forms—to the improved visibility of quality issue trends through real-time reporting, Zutec is already ensuring success, right-first-time and customer satisfaction.

A platform of the future

Zutec is continuously evolving to meet the needs of its users. Tom Boland, Global Head of Digitalisation, says, “The use of Zutec on HS2 shows how digital tools can transform construction projects of every size. This is truly a key moment in history and a perfect example of what the future of the industry holds if it continues to take the plunge into digitisation and embraces the power of technology.”

This level of connection between the model and the quality documentation with real-time reporting is unique in the construction industry, and has the potential to drive the whole sector toward true construction excellence. Not only is Zutec inspiring a digital ‘evolution’, it’s establishing a digital evolution for years to come.

Currently under construction, the Parramatta Square Precinct is part of one of the largest urban renewal projects in Australia. The precinct contains a mix of office space, retail and civic facilities which will become part of a second CBD for Sydney, revitalising the suburb of Parramatta and Western Sydney.

Currently under construction, the Parramatta Square Precinct is part of one of the largest urban renewal projects in Australia. The precinct contains a mix of office space, retail and civic facilities which will become part of a second CBD for Sydney, revitalising the suburb of Parramatta and Western Sydney.

The largest, premium grade commercial tower constructed in Melbourne since 1990, this 26-level building at 567 Collins Street has a floor area of almost 55,000 square metres.  At ground level, there is a dramatic, three-level high foyer area opening on to Collins Street, with extensive café and retail tenancies. Above that, two levels of health club, seven levels of podium campus offices, 15 levels of upper tower offices, and a special client floor on Level 26 with extensive views to Port Phillip Bay.

A lower ground floor accommodates approximately 160 car spaces, change rooms, locker amenities and a loading bay. Atriums are located on levels five through to eight and on Level 10, while service plant rooms are located on the lower ground, Level 3, and tower rooftop. Designed by the Spowers-Cox Architects Joint Venture to meet a 5-Star Green Star as-built rating and 5-Star NABERS energy rating, the building offers an efficient, effective and flexible environment to suit contemporary workplace needs.

Zutec was engaged to manage the very complex handover of this facility which included all Digital Operation & Maintenance Manuals. All information uploaded was brought through a workflow and validated by the various certifiers. The Digital Operation & Maintenance Manuals provided real time reports on the handover documentation progress which enabled Leighton to effectively track and capture all the required documentation in time for handover.

The Asset Register was also used to capture, manage and monitor the assets in one centralised repository. The asset data needed to be formatted in a bespoke structure to meet the COBie data requirement needs of the client.

The project also managed the collection and management of all defects data throughout the construction phase with Zutec’s Snagging & Defect Management “Onsite” application. The tool was used to capture all tasks such as snags, defects, observations, incomplete works, outstanding works and clean up notices and raise them against the responsible subcontractors.

Zutec and HS2: building the future of UK transportation

The cutting-edge construction software provider is currently delivering digital solutions for the southern section of the railway led by Skanska, Costain and STRABAG (SCS)

• SCS has developed a revolutionary digital strategy and ‘Digital Blueprint’ for BIM, selecting Zutec as its construction software supplier

• SCS is implementing a fully integrated end-to-end process, from design to construction to operation, connecting the engineering data and quality documentation with real-time reporting to benefit the entire project

Ireland Brown Constructions engaged Zutec on this project to consult and deliver a cloud based solution for several of their processes. The Snagging & Defect Management tool was used to help manage the Quality Assurance for the project. Ireland Brown Constructions used the Zutec solution to capture defects and raise them against the responsible subcontractors. The Client Representatives, Ireland Brown Constructions and all subcontractors used this tool to collaborate and resolve issues captured onsite. The Snagging & Defect Management tool also provided detailed insights and analytics through the embedded and interactive dash boarding on the Zutec Platform. The Zutec Firewall Penetrations tool was also utilised on this project which allowed Ireland Brown to confidently capture, manage and report on all fire penetrations across the project.

As with any large development, project handover is a key component in completion and Zutec’s Digital Operations & Maintenance Manuals were used as a collaboration tool for all subcontractors to upload all of the required handover information which is essential for a smooth handover and successful running of the building post-handover. All information uploaded was brought through a workflow and validated by the various certifiers. Zutec’s Digital Operations & Maintenance Manual tool provided real time reports on the handover documentation progress which enabled Ireland Brown Constructions to effectively track and capture all the required documentation in time for handover.

Zutec and HS2: building the future of UK transportation

The cutting-edge construction software provider is currently delivering digital solutions for the southern section of the railway led by Skanska, Costain and STRABAG (SCS)

• SCS has developed a revolutionary digital strategy and ‘Digital Blueprint’ for BIM, selecting Zutec as its construction software supplier

• SCS is implementing a fully integrated end-to-end process, from design to construction to operation, connecting the engineering data and quality documentation with real-time reporting to benefit the entire project

When complete, the Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital will offer emergency, maternity, rehabilitation, mental health, renal and outpatient services as well as a comprehensive cancer centre and specialist medical and surgical services such as neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, maxillofacial surgery, a major trauma service and pediatrics.

The Snagging & Defect Management tool was used as the main Quality Assurance collaboration platform for the project. Lend Lease used this to capture all tasks such as snags, defects, observations, incomplete works, outstanding works and clean up notices and raise them against the responsible subcontractors. The Client Representatives, Lend Lease and all subcontractors use this tool to collaborate and resolve all issues captured onsite. The Snagging & Defect Management tool also provided detailed insights and analytics through the embedded and interactive dash-boarding on the Zutec Platform.

As with any multi million dollar development, project handover is a key component in completion and Zutec’s Digital Operations & Maintenance Manuals were used as the collaboration tool for all subcontractors to upload all of the required handover information, which is essential for a smooth handover and successful running of the building post-handover. All information uploaded was brought through a workflow and validated by the various certifiers. Zutec’s Digital Operations & Maintenance Manuals tool provided real times reports on the handover documentation progress which enabled Lend Lease to effectively track and capture all the required documentation in time for handover.

Lend Lease reviewed the capabilities of several Document Management Systems available in the market for use on the new Royal Children’s Hospital Project.

Flexibility – the ability to tailor a solution to the needs of Lend Lease was a key driver in the selection process. When asked the reasons behind selecting Zutec, Julia Hicks (Senior Project Engineer – Finalisation) was prompt in her response. “The bespoke tree structure with unlimited folder levels meant we would not be constrained by three-five levels only” Julia explained. “It was an easy decision. Zutec is a web based application which was going to give Lendlease, the State Government, and Spotless (FM) visibility and access simultaneously. Zutec has one single repository which would guarantee us that no superseded files could remain available to the end user.” This was an important factor for the project team to consider in its selection. In conjunction with the Victorian Department of Health (the client), Lendlease developed the folder structure to meet the needs of the contract and the project.

Involving the subcontractors during the development of the folder structure ensure they would take ownership of the process of their designated folders that required information. “The sub contractors were quick to realise that by uploading their data into Zutec it would eliminate the creation of any hard copy documentation that they were required to produce under their contractors” Julia said. “Training them would never take longer than one hour”.

Paul Barnes from CDC Plumbing was a leading sub contractor on the RCH project. He believes that the benefit to producing a world class handover package to the client is all about timing. “Zutec’s Digital Operations & Maintenance Manual is a great solution. The earlier this type of application is implemented in a project, the greater the benefit for all parties”.

Other key benefits to Lendlease including the search function. “This functionality is very powerful if you place the right control in place. The Hyperlink functionality also gave us the ability to link back to anywhere within the repository very quickly which is very important when someone who is time poor may be looking for a piece of information”.

The new Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Victoria combines new facilities, innovative models of care and leading edge research and education to provide the best health care and environment for patients, families and staff. The RCH is already recognised for providing world-class health care and it now has a world-class building as well.

Site preparation commenced late 2007 and the New Royal Children’s Hospital opened on November 30th, 2011. The new Royal Children’s Hospital was delivered by the State Government of Victoria as a public private partnership (PPP).

When it comes to convention centres the Melbourne Convention Centre is like no other. Sitting right in the heart of Melbourne, the centre is easily accessible from every direction by foot, car or public transport and is surrounded by cafes, bars, shopping and fine restaurants, with the Yarra River lapping at its edges. Opened for business in mid 2009, the convention centre is fully integrated with the existing exhibition centre to create the most versatile and advanced convention and exhibition centre in the Southern Hemisphere.

Setting new world benchmarks as the first convention centre to be awarded a ‘6 Star Green Star’ environmental rating by the Green Building Council of Australia, the centre is also raising standards to new heights in innovation, technology, imaginative catering and service options.

Thirty-two meeting rooms of various sizes, a grand ballroom and a state-of-the-art plenary hall that can be divided into three self-contained, acoustically separate theatres, offers client’s unlimited options in event planning.

The most sophisticated but simple to use audio visual, communications and information technology available is inbuilt into every meeting room of the new convention centre which significantly reduces the normal additional costs associated with the provision of this level of technology. New self prompting ‘smart lecterns’ offer event organisers and guest speakers unprecedented self-manageable capabilities all monitored in-house via centralised or satellite control rooms.

The Zutec solutions that were used on this project were – Complete Hand-Over Online (including Completion Manual / Facilities Management Plan / Sub-Contractors Documentation / Independent Tests / As-Built Drawings / Commissioning Data).

Zutec and HS2: building the future of UK transportation

The cutting-edge construction software provider is currently delivering digital solutions for the southern section of the railway led by Skanska, Costain and STRABAG (SCS)

• SCS has developed a revolutionary digital strategy and ‘Digital Blueprint’ for BIM, selecting Zutec as its construction software supplier

• SCS is implementing a fully integrated end-to-end process, from design to construction to operation, connecting the engineering data and quality documentation with real-time reporting to benefit the entire project

Zutec was engaged to manage the complex handover of this facility which included all Digital Operation and Maintenance Manuals. Asset data was collected in bespoke asset registers in keeping with the needs of the end client.

The project also managed the collection and management of all defects and fire wall penetration data throughout the construction phase with Zutec “On-Site” application.

Unison is the newest release in Mirvac’s Waterfront, Newstead – a $1 billion master planned community, setting new standards for quality, luxury and city convenience in Brisbane.

Unison is imbued with a timeless elegance that embraces community and indoor-outdoor living. Elegantly designed, exquisitely finished apartments command expansive open plan living, spacious balconies and beautiful views, all just a stone’s throw from the river.

Unison apartments include an exclusive collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments and pavilion residences.

Zutec was involved in the consultation and development of a Quality Assurance solution to suit the needs of the project. Bespoke electronic forms were designed to enable all Trades to complete their checklists utilising the Zutec Onsite mobile application. The checklists and relevant photos were synced to the Zutec Online platform where the Mirvac project team could view progress through the electronic Room Completion Wall Chart Report in real time.

The project also managed the collection and management of all defects throughout the construction phase with Zutec “Onsite” application. In addition, all handover data was captured and managed through the online Zutec portal.