Construction sites’ sustainability enhancement through earthworks optimization using Building Information Modelling

Abstract

Earthworks are the very beginning of every new construction project, if not well designed and controlled, they may cause time and cost overruns and, overall affect the sustainability of the whole project. Industry 4.0 technologies like high-precision positioning GNSS/RTK and Building Information Modelling may help improving earthworks thus reducing waste, reworks, and energy demand. A novel workflow to integrate data coming from multiple sources within a reliable, BIM-based, digital terrain model is proposed. The proposed method allows professionals, as designers and managers, to receive updated and correct data, for better decision making and, thus, for more sustainable construction processes. Side benefits of the proposed process is an improvement in workers’ safety. A case study, a quarry in northern Italy, proved the usability of the method.