Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) | 13. 03 Visualisation Visualisation is a key advantage of CAE that Atkins can readily utilise as an output from 3D

Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)

2 | Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)

01 Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) 5

02 Reality Capture 8

03 Visualisation 14

04 Applying Building Information Modelling (BIM) 22

05 Our Global CAE Experience 26

Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) | 3

“We’re improving lives through safer, cleaner, smarter energy”We are the engineers designing, caring for and extending the life of energy infrastructure using the latest technology solutions to ensure the lights stay on and the world remains a safe place.

We have the expertise, the intellect and the drive that can push boundaries to improve lives, to protect our planet and to ensure prosperity through secure and affordable energy.

We have a responsibility to help ensure that this energy is safer, cleaner and smarter.

Working as part of a global community, we’re listening, imagining and co-creating the best solutions with clients, industry partners, academia and people who…

...All need energy.


Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)01We’re delivering engineering, design and consultancy solutions to the oil and gas, nuclear, renewables, electrical generation, transmission and distribution sectors all over the world.

We merge 60 years’ experience in Energy with original thinking, including targeted use of specialised technologies such as Computer Aided Engineering (CAE).

As one of the world’s most respected consultancies, we have a responsibility to help improve lives through the application of our technology and make a real difference to our industry. We believe that CAE is of crucial and growing importance to engineering projects worldwide and that utilising new methods to deliver more effective solutions should be part of normal business. By helping our clients maximise opportunities to utilise CAE technology, projects can benefit from increasingly innovative, efficient and cost effective solutions throughout the project lifecycle.


We believe CAE offers advantages to a vast range of engineering projects and our integrated approach allows us to readily identify and deliver the benefits of new technology and techniques. Through experienced use of the latest Reality Capture techniques, and by placing 3D modelling at the heart of design, Atkins can open up a wealth of opportunities for greater efficiency and other benefits to projects.

A number of Reality Capture tools and techniques can be applied to form the foundation of 3D images and 3D CAD models and we have a range of equipment in-house to support this. The outputs can be processed to provide a

more thorough understanding of a problem or as-built design on its own, or the data can be developed further. Models can be integrated with analysis outputs or visualisation tools can be readily employed to deliver a number of additional benefits such as improved stakeholder understanding and engagement with a chosen approach.

Visualisation can take a number of forms including interactive documentation, animations, or the use of Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR) depending on the project needs. The ability to produce and easily update standard 2D outputs is also retained and even improved through using 3D models as a basis.

Our approach

CA2D

DesignEngineering Drawings

Visualisations

Substantiation

3D Model

Analysis


At Atkins, we believe that CAE offers an engineering enhancement toolkit for the full lifecycle of a project and there are some key principles which govern our unique approach.

Focussed• Our work is driven by the need to solve specific problems

for our clients in the most effective and efficient way possible.

• Through our experience we routinely apply procedures and technology in an innovative way to offer solutions which are tailored to clients’ desired outputs.

Fully Integrated• We seek to incorporate CAE techniques with engineering

solutions as part of normal business and are continuously developing new ways of streamlining processes and integrating software.

• We recognise the importance of adopting standards which allow us to communicate, re-use and share data without loss, contradiction or misinterpretation with our clients and their stakeholders.

• Engineering teams are supported by an integrated network of in-house scanning capability, equipment, data management and software design teams to efficiently deliver the full solution to our clients.

Why Atkins?

Full Lifecycle• Our approach is built upon the ability to enhance

standard projects, through the effective use of new technology. This is true throughout the project lifecycle and beyond into future operations, maintenance and decommissioning activities.

• We maximise opportunities for projects to benefit from CAE techniques from the early concept phase (e.g. capturing and sizing a modification area) to completion (e.g. engaging the public through visualisation of a transformation project).


Reality Capture02 What we offer: • A wide range of services for our reality

capture technology and a variety of scanning technologies to survey sites.

• An ability to produce 360 degree photorealistic 3D environments both for visualisation and accurate dimensioning.

• The option to transform the point clouds created in our environments for use in CAD software and for remote visualisation.

• The latest software to enable us to generate the most accurate and highest quality scans.

Reality capture is the generation of accurate and photorealistic 3D environments through laser scanning or photogrammetry and can benefit each phase of an engineering project.

Accurate site drawings may be unavailable, meaning engineers have to make decisions from limited information. Reality capture can quickly collect data and produce a detailed and precise resource to extract dimensions and other information from. You only need to visit site once to gather data, reducing cumulative dose and enabling design work to take place worldwide.

Due to the accuracy of the technique, reality capture can also be used to monitor changes in an area; from monitoring the progress of modifications on site to observing landslides and coastal erosion.

Reality capture is a quicker process than traditional surveying methods, and collects much more information for engineers to use.


Not only does reality capture provide a precise environment for use in designing and dimensioning tasks, but its photorealism means it is also a very powerful visualisation tool.

The data captured can be readily visualised in a number of different ways to quickly review the problem or demonstrate the effectiveness of a solution.



Our Experience:FGMSP Bulk Sludge & Fuel Retrievals ProjectBackground:Atkins was awarded a contract by Sellafield Ltd, via the ACKtiv Joint Venture, to support decommissioning of a First Generation Magnox Storage Pond (FGMSP). The contract is to provide the systems for removal of radioactive sludge and solid inventory from the facility for subsequent safe treatment and storage. The scope covers the full project lifecycle from concept through design, development, procurement, installation and commissioning including operational support. This will contribute significantly to the ultimate safe decommissioning and site remediation of this historic spent fuel storage facility.

What we did:Atkins was engaged to enhance, and de-risk where possible, the readiness review process for all ongoing high risk and programme critical installation activities. As part of our approach we focussed on capturing the true on-site constraints and as-manufactured status of all offsite equipment through the deployment of 3D laser scanning technology and CAE software tools. This enabled us to baseline the readiness review process with accurate and up-to-date geometry which was digitally overlaid relative to design information. The outputs were then checked to identify potential clashes of the equipment either in their planned installed position or during the installation sequence. The information was also used to visually determine whether the onsite setting out details aligned with offsite trial works that had previously been undertaken.

Benefits:The approach demonstrated a >95% direct correlation between onsite setting out details and the offsite trial assembly with only minor observations requiring further investigation before site installation. Undertaking the readiness review in this way provided the project with a greater level of confidence in the success of the future installation activities before site installation commenced.

Other benefits include:• Visual representation of project risks by comparison

of the design based 3D scenario and the real life scenario.

• Assessment of installation readiness using laser scanning data, including clash detection on the current plant configuration and installation sequencing.

• High accuracy as-manufactured point cloud compared to the 3D CAD model to efficiently highlight manufacturing discrepancies and as-built changes.

• Minimised entry into high risk nuclear areas supporting an ALARP approach.

• Decreased need for repeated plant walkdowns due to availability of scanned data and the generation of Virtual Reality (VR) plant walkrounds and visualisations.



Our Experience: Torness Bellows ReplacementWhat we did:We used handheld reality capture technology to generate a detailed 3D laser point cloud survey of the existing site constraints.

The 3D output was used to develop CAD models to review the problem and confirm that the new components could be fitted into the existing space envelope.

Benefits:This method was more cost-effective than conventional tape and measure surveys which would have required lagging to be removed and work to be carried out during an outage. A hand-held 3D survey, achieving an equivalent accuracy, was instead conducted at a safer distance from the equipment using existing walkways with no special access requirements or scaffolding.

Our approach quickly identified, and supported justification for the most efficient solution to the problem by integrating existing design data with the scanning outputs. This ultimately minimised the number of alterations required to plant. Where modifications were required, we were able to quickly generate a number of options in 3D which aided stakeholder engagement and the decision making process.


Visualisation03Visualisation is a key advantage of CAE that Atkins can readily utilise as an output from 3D models. Visualising a problem or design proposal is important when trying to decide on the right engineering solution, however static images and drawings are often used which have limitations when presenting ideas to others.

We can produce a range of interactive visualisation aids including interactive documentation and animations. Utilising simple interactive techniques can quickly and easily give the audience a more complete understanding of the problem or proposal. Animations are also an excellent way of demonstrating different procedures including the construction, operation and maintenance of designs.

Visualisation can also include Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) techniques to offer further benefits.

What we offer: • The capability to create a range of visualisation

products from existing CAD data.

• The software to produce interactive documentation for constructability, virtual installations and maintenance including 3D PDFs of CAD models.

• We can create animated construction sequences and walkthroughs for CAD data including 3D models.

• We have the technology to produce scale or 1:1 3D prints.



Augmented reality (AR) integrates digital information into our everyday lives, by overlaying computer generated content onto the real world via devices such as a tablet or headset. Content placed in AR responds to the geometry of the room where they are located. This allows you to place 3D CAD / BIM models anywhere and enables software to recognise specific objects.

AR can be a valuable asset to engineering projects, adding real life context to procedures and designs. Models can be viewed using a range of hand-held devices from smart phones to AR headsets, so you can easily view content remotely and send to others.

The use of AR to present procedures, training manuals and maintenance sequences in situ can be very effective to give the user an accurate demonstration of a design. Overlaid interactive simulations can quickly teach operators how to install, maintain and use equipment as if someone is showing them how. AR can therefore eliminate the need for plant walk downs, highlighting safe access and egress routes, radiation controlled or hazardous area boundaries, assembly points etc.

Augmented Reality What we offer: • The capability of building AR experiences

from existing 3D CAD/BIM models. This allows designers, planners and operators to fully visualise designs or operations prior to completion.

• Training and installation documentation that can be made into AR content to familiarise operators with their environment, overlaying hazards, procedures and other information on physical objects.

• AR content that can be used to overlay designs into a location as an efficient method of communication when presenting ideas.


Virtual Reality (VR) is the use of technology to create immersive 3D environments, in which users can interact and explore as if they were really there.

The virtual environments are viewed using a VR headset, which is continually tracked to determine where the user is and what they are looking at. This allows users to move around and look at models from any angle.

The use of virtual realty in engineering can be of huge benefit when visualising designs and sites. This can aid in the presentation of design proposals, and viewing details of a site without leaving the office.

VR can also benefit the presentation of training to equipment operators as it can be used to demonstrate procedures and hazards before visiting site. Virtual reality based training exercises have many health and safety benefits over site inductions and training manuals. If an operator can familiarise themselves with a site and its procedures before visiting, they can be aware of the hazards onsite before encountering them first hand. Completing training offsite eliminates risks if mistakes are made, during familiarisation, as well as reducing exposure in radiation controlled environments (if applicable).

Virtual Reality

What we offer: • The ability to create Virtual Reality (VR)

environments for a range of engineering applications, from accurate site environments to design visualisation aids.

• Ability to transform Reality Capture, existing CAD models and other 3D data into powerful VR applications. Our engineers can place teams on site without leaving the office, thus minimising site visits and risks across the project lifecycle. This can, for example support design reviews, HAZOPs and Human Factors assessments.

• We can use VR to create interactive simulations and training associated with designs and sites. This means that operators can supplement their safety case, and learn about the hazards and procedures offsite without risk.



Our Experience: Graphite Core Visualisation What we did:The graphite core is one of the life limiting elements of an AGR power station as it can neither be repaired nor replaced. As the graphite ages it degrades; Atkins has been supporting EDF Energy’s Graphite Branch for several years, helping to assess and predict the condition of the graphite in each of the AGR stations.

The graphite core is made-up of multiple components (graphite bricks held together by graphite keys) which together form a matrix structure into which the nuclear fuel stringers and control rods are inserted. This vast and complex three dimensional puzzle of components is influenced by multi-faceted degradation mechanisms which vary in intensity across the structure; EDF Energy needed a graphic visualisation of this structure and location of the degradation in 3-dimensional space.

How we did it:Atkins designed an Augmented Reality model application of the graphite core for HPB/HNB power stations which incorporates data about the graphite components gathered during inspections and monitoring of the cores in normal operation. The model allows users to explore the graphite core and highlight various aspects and elements, for example bricks with particular damage features.

Benefits:The development of this model aims to deliver a range of benefits to the programme including:

• Supporting learning and engagement for staff, operators and other stakeholders.

• Enabling the rapid description and understanding of important core features and mechanisms in the context of the overall structure.

• Ability to analyse damage features, their location and relationship with other features or components.

• Highlighting particular trends and damage progression.

• Providing an integrated link to the inspection and monitoring databases so the model is automatically updated with new findings.


Our Experience: Boiler Spine Bottom SupportWhat we did:We applied a range of CAE techniques (including scanning, 3D modelling and Augmented Reality) in the development of the multidiscipline concept design for a complex boiler repair programme. Initially, this involved obtaining a 3D scan of an area above the gas circulator remotely through a 4” x 10” inspection port to an accuracy of +/- 3mm. This was conducted in a time constrained outage where it was desirable for inspection of the bottom boiler region to be limited to remote access via the inspection port in the gas circulator isolation dome.

The output from this scan was used to further understand the engineering problem and to configure the detailed design arrangement about a known plant geometry / tolerances. We developed an Augmented Reality application to display an interactive 3D model of the design. We also produced a video of the installation sequence to demonstrate how the design could be installed within a space envelope of 2m by 1.2m through a 600mm man access hatch in the dome.

Benefits:The initial remote scan allowed the area to be quickly surveyed to a high level of accuracy, whilst minimising disruption to the outage. Had this been done by conventional methods, man access would have been required added an estimated 3-4 days to the outage (at a cost of £millions) and would have required a significant amount of time within an R3 radiation or C3 containment environment.

The scan outputs were then utilised throughout the project to develop and communicate the design. The visualisation outputs enabled a wide range of stakeholders to quickly understand and review the design and helped demonstrate feasibility of the design and installation. As a result, a significant reduction in installation risk and design tolerance was achieved.



Building Information Modelling (BIM) has redefined project delivery in the design and engineering industry, changing everything from the tools we use, the skills required, and the way we work with clients. Atkins has been helping shape the BIM movement since its inception being strategically proactive in leading the exploitation of BIM and implementing it on our client’s projects.

In the past year alone, Atkins has been involved in more than 50 projects worldwide where BIM has been successfully applied to deliver more efficiently and effectively than traditional methods would have allowed.

We are also providing advice to the UK Government on its BIM strategy, which requires all publicly funded projects to implement BIM to specified standards with key staff authoring, reviewing and testing the proposed standards before planned publication by UK Government. Moreover, a number of key UK Government agencies now seek Atkins‘ advice on the strategic implementation of BIM – including the Highways Agency, Environment Agency, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Network Rail.

Atkins defines BIM as the ‘purposeful management of information through the whole lifecycle of a building or infrastructure project’. Within this context, 3D modelling becomes a powerful tool used to develop and coordinate designs which in turn can enable progression to further dimensions of BIM such as Scheduling (4D), Cost (5D) and Performance (6D).

04 Applying Building Information Modelling

What we offer: • Global industry leading BIM execution.

• Effective collaborative working, interoperable data sharing and the efficient digital creation of information models and subsequent drawing outputs using state of the art CAE and BIM tools across the full project lifecycle.

• Fully integrated use of BIM and CAE tools enhancing already leading engineering, design and project management delivery.

• Authoring, reviewing and testing of CAE and BIM processes, procedures and protocols.


Our Experience: Main Site Command FacilityWhat we did:The Sellafield Security Enhancements Programme (SSEP) comprises a number of discrete projects all with the objective of enhancing overall security of the Sellafield site. One of the key projects within the programme is the Main Site Command Facility (MSCF). The MSCF will deliver the capacity and functionality to support security management, emergency response requirements and unified command and control at the Sellafield site.

Atkins was contracted to deliver the concept and technical design phases of the MSCF project which included the creation of a BIM Execution Plan (BEP) which would run from concept design through to the construction, commissioning/handover and the operational and maintenance phases. Atkins deployed current BIM software and practices in design delivery to bring the phases in on budget and ahead of schedule. With the MSCF due for construction in 2018 this is a flagship nuclear BIM project.

Benefits:• Generation of a robust BIM strategy and documentation providing

clear project guidelines and stakeholder engagement including client, main contractor and end users.

• Multidiscipline design co-ordination in state-of-the-art BIM software. Live modelling of information federated across all teams maximising efficiencies in communications and minimising later stage design changes.

• Regular review models generated and monitored by dedicated team, coordinating clash reporting throughout the design process and beyond in construction.

• Application of BIM practices ensured project phases delivered on budget and ahead of schedule.



Our Experience: Dungeness B (DNB) Outage VisualisationWhat we are doing:We have captured laser scanning data from a main plant area and an inaccessible plant room at Dungeness B to support optimisation of an upcoming outage. This data is being utilised through a simple desktop application to allow walkthroughs of the plant areas and creation of animated construction sequences for visualisation of the outage plan linked to the outage schedule itself. A further aim of the project is to utilise Augmented Reality (AR) to visualise the planning data and critical path movements.

Benefits:The outputs will enable interactive visualisation of the outage plan which can be used to trial different potential scenarios using a timeline based editor, and offer a collaborative tool for discussions with the whole team. Operators will be able to see what a sequence of work and the interactions with the surrounding plant should look like, and highlight any issues before the work.

Access to one of the scanned areas is also limited to outages only, therefore providing visualisation of these areas allows operators the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the area prior to arriving on site, thus improving the efficiency of the tasks and removing the requirement for in situ planning.

The overall targeted outcome is to maximise efficient delivery of the outage by enabling optimisation of planned activities, training improvements and identification of equipment and technology innovations.

Representative image: TIS Workington, Workshop and Test Rig Facility



Our people can mobilise quickly to support out clients from our technical hubs in UK & Europe, North America, Middle East and Asia Pacific regions.

Our CAE capabilities are complemented by our digital engineering experience across Atkins. Wider experience includes drone surveying (utilising UAV technology to offer a flexible, rapid and cost-effective way of surveying covering areas that would otherwise be difficult to access) and virtual asset management (using 360 degree digital imagery to create a ‘virtual world’ of an asset in a similar way to Google Street View).

05 Our Global CAE Experience

For a wider range of examples of digital engineering in Atkins, please visit www.atkinsglobal.co.uk/en-GB/angles/tags/digital-engineering


For further information contact:

Email: [email protected]

www.atkinsglobal.com/energy

Our energy business is an international provider of high-end design and engineering for the oil and gas, nuclear, renewables, electrical generation, transmission and distribution sectors.

We deliver innovative technical solutions for some of the industry’s greatest challenges, using specialised technologies such as Computer Aided Engineering (CAE).

© Atkins Ltd except where stated otherwise

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Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) | 13. 03 Visualisation Visualisation is a key advantage of CAE that Atkins can readily utilise as an output from 3D