Engineering design and detail specialists PDC Consultants has beaten strong international competition to take home the 2010 Bentleys Be Inspired Award for Innovation in Mining and Metals, which recognises worldclass mining infrastructure projects. Nominated for its work on the A$1.5 billion Brockman Syncline No. 4 Project in the Pilbara in Western Australia, PDC provided 3D modelling and shop detailing for over 4,000 t of mechanical and structural steel and associated platework.
Finalists in the Innovation in Mining and Metals category were selected by an independent panel and judged on their use of techology to shorten project schedules and lower operating costs through improved access to mission-critical information.
“PDC’s 3D modelling technology is the most advanced of its kind and with companies feeling increasing pressure to advance projects in ever-tightening timeframes, our objective is always to use our technology to provide whole-of-life project solutions and also achieve zero rework during construction,” said PDC Consultants Managing Director Martyn Weir.
PDC’s modelling technologies provided for design optimisation across all aspects of the project site including improved accuracy in modelling on-site activities, resources and decreased rework. Through the use of its powerful 3D modelling viewing tools, PDC worked closely with the Project Engineer to ensure the milestones at Brockman Syncline No. 4 were achieved with the highest level of accuracy.
Facilities at the Brockman Syncline No. 4 Project included a primary and secondary crushing facility; product screening facility; product sampling stations; stacker, reclaimer, stockpile and train loadout bin; and 10 interconnecting conveyors and transfer stations.
Martyn Weir and PDC Commercial Manager Shawn Weir presented the project and received the award at a gala dinner held in Amsterdam as part of the Be Inspired thought leadership and networking event hosted by infrastructure software solutions group, Bentley Systems.
PDC Consultants says it has become a recognised global leader in the areas of design, modelling and detailing. With one of the world’s largest and most experienced specialised teams, PDC understands project problems and risks; specifically the challenges of taking a project from conceptual design to construction.
PDC’s successful business model works around delivering project solutions rather than individual solutions using its suite of uique 3D Modelling processes and Building Information Modelling software.