Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) will implement Building Information Modeling (BIM) and digital twin technology on its latest construction project, the company has announced
In 2020, KAC became the first airport operator worldwide to achieve the BIM information management standard set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) under ISO19650.
It now plans to implement 3D BIM visualization a digital twin to guide the construction of a new 10.5tn won ($7.62bn) airport on Gadeok Island off the coast of the southern port city of Busan, the Korea Times said.
Construction work is expected to last until 2029.
South Korea pushing for digital construction
Applying BIM technology to the project enables simulation of real-life construction processes. This enhances productivity and efficiency, saving 10%-30% of a project’s costs, KAC told the Korea Times.
Most airport construction projects around the world have now adopted BIM, it added.
Several countries have also mandated the use of BIM in construction.
The Korean government is currently pushing to introduce digital construction management for all state-led construction projects by 2030.
Lee Jung-ki, KAC’s executive vice-president, told a press briefing: “Amid changing trends to apply BIM technology in broader categories in the airport industry, KAC aims to contribute to enhancing the country’s competitiveness by applying BIM technology in all procedures of an airport’s construction.”
The government forecasts that the new airport will generate an economic impact of nearly 29tn won.
It is expected to contribute over 18tn won to the economic growth of Busan, Korea’s second largest city. It will bolster the economy of the wider Gyeongsang Province, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure & Transport.
However, the project’s bidding process closed without any applications from construction firms, the Korea Times said.
The government reopened bidding last Friday until 24 June.
KAC is responsible for 14 regional domestic and international airports, including Gimpo in Seoul, Gimhae in Busan and Daegu International.
