Which is the best BIM software for telecommunication constructions (masts and towers)?

[Sebdif]

Hello everyone,

My company would like to start to use a BIM software. Indeed, we construct masts and towers for telecommunication around Ireland. We are hesitating between Revit and Bentley?

Is there anyone who can advice me which could the best solution for our type of construction?

Thank you in advance.

Sebastien

[david_peterson]

I can't talk much about Bently except that if you're using Ram (Concept I think) the transfer from one model to the Analytical would be smoother.
But I think we usually use Risa 3d for that kind of work (but I think they had a plug in for revit for that).

Revit could do the job, and do it decently.

I guess it really depends on how detailed of a design you need to do or what it is that you're looking for.

Are you just doing the design and install, or are you to provide the fabrication as well. SDS/2 or Tekla might be worth a look if that's the case.

[Sebdif]

Hi David,

Thank you for your answer.

We provide the fabrication as well. That's why we are really interested in a BIM software. Furthermore, telecoms in Ireland is quiet a small market. So, we preferred to purchase Revit (or a "mainstream" software) because we think that Revit is the most common BIM software in UK and Ireland. It would be the easiest way to exchange files with clients and companies.

I know that's not the best thing to do if you want to find the best software for users. However,we would like to acquire a common BIM software to improve our chances to win deals.

Do you think Robot is sufficient to calculate the wind loads on the masts?

[david_peterson]

Do you think Robot is sufficient to calculate the wind loads on the masts?

That's the million dollar question.
We don't know and we've vetted RAM to where we can basically trust what it can do. So we tend to run separate models between Analytical and Documentation.
I know Revit can do the modeling job. Then if you were going to do the fabrication for it you might want to look at their add-in for steel fabrication. You can export your revit model back out to Autocad with their add-in. I forget what it's called these days but if I remember right it was a one way work flow. Model the members in Revit, export to cad to for shop drawing creation. I believe Tekla has something similar, but allows you to work in a Tekla Environment. I haven't done either of these workflows so I might not be the best one to ask. I guess it would depend on what you use now for member and connection design.

Revit is far more mainstream that Bently IMHO if that helps.
Just my thoughts.
Hope this helps. I've only had one project in Ireland, and I know the wind is a big deal over there. ;)
Cheers :beer: