The ultimate digital workflow

Accuracy and speed—two seemingly contradictory objectives in earthwork projects—are easily achieved with digital solutions. Gnant GmbH is known as one of the pioneers of digitalisation in its sector. CEO Josef Gnant realised early on that digitalisation is a constantly changing process. The Lower Austrian civil engineering company, therefore, relies on modern solutions, technological advances, and young talent to ensure long-term success.

Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, has been a reliable technology partner for Gnant GmbH on its digital journey for many years. Thanks to the connected ecosystem, all heavy machinery, field solutions and office applications communicate with each other. The big advantage: the solutions not only integrate with each other but are also compatible with third-party solutions.

This particular feature enables Gnant to implement the ultimate digital workflow in Maria Anzbach, Austria. There, the company is carrying out the earthworks for a new OEBB railway station and is benefiting from the flawless interaction between the solutions from ProVI, Infrakit  and Leica Geosystems.

Accurate data is the basis for successful projects

Data quality is vital in all project phases and can provide valuable insights right from the start of the project. “The quality of the data is very important to us,” emphasises Florian Healy-Rauch, responsible for digitalisation at Gnant GmbH. “It is crucial, as it enables us to recognise early on which masses need to be moved.”

To efficiently obtain the data of the site, large-area terrain surveys are carried out using drones. With surveying solutions from the Leica iCON portfolio, the data is complemented by precise georeferenced point data via satellite positioning. The Leica Infinity Surveying Software  is used to check the quality of the geodetic data collected in the field. The data is visualised, merged, cleaned and converted into a format suitable for further planning. “The digital model can be used to create volumes quickly and easily during the course of the project. Parameters and information can be added and distributed to the project participants as an IFC file,” says Healy-Rauch.

Building Information Modelling: Seamless preparation of machine control data

Based on the data, the model for the earthworks is prepared in the ProVI planning software. The application can be used on an AutoCAD or BricsCAD  basis and specialises in the planning and design of transport routes such as roads, railways and waterways. It integrates all relevant planning processes into a consistent CAD environment, enabling efficient and precise processing of infrastructure projects.

To reduce errors, complex tasks are simplified by automated workflows. “Our customers are always impressed by how easy and intuitive the software is,” confirms Frank Lohrengel, Technical Account Manager at ProVI GmbH. “Even with little training and effort, the BIM models can be created according to the user's requirements and enriched with attributes. This also streamlines the processes on the construction site.”

When modelling the desired infrastructure, the earth volumes that need to be moved for cut and fill work are calculated. The information is processed and directly exported in a readable format for the machine control systems on the construction site.

Real-time information for all project stakeholders

Infrakit is used as a hub for managing all project data on the Gnant construction site. “Infrakit is a vendor-neutral platform for managing civil engineering and infrastructure projects,” says Stefan Argiriu, Managing Director of Infrakit Deutschland GmbH. “By integrating ProVI and Leica Geosystems, we enable a real-time connection of construction processes and thus a better flow of information.”

The design data managed in Infrakit is sent via the cloud-based Leica ConX platform to Leica Geosystems' machine control systems and surveying solutions straight to the construction site. This integration enables the automated transfer of model data, enabling precise excavation, grading and other earthworks. This simplifies the project overview and data management for Florian Healy-Rauch: “Regular drone flights allow us to continuously create point clouds of the construction progress. By comparing them with the original site and the reference model, we can determine the current status and thus the construction progress.”

The seamless digital workflow ensures that delays caused by data silos are prevented. The real-time exchange of planning files, as-built data and other important information between all project stakeholders ensures transparency throughout the entire project. This allows decision-making processes to be improved and problems to be responded to more quickly. “The advantage for the customer is that it is no longer necessary to operate different platforms in parallel; everything is seamlessly integrated into Infrakit. The project management can easily generate a complete overview of the project with all relevant information,’ emphasises Argiriu.

Flawless execution thanks to machine control

The heavy machinery in Maria Anzbach is equipped with the Leica MC1 3D machine control solution. After a quick synchronisation, the excavator, dozer, and grader operators see the design data on the panels directly in their cabs. The GNSS positioning allows them to see exactly where they are in the model and which masses need to be moved. Additional stakeout of the results is not necessary. For Gnant, this means less travelling time and personnel on-site while reducing downtime and increasing safety.

The positioning data is documented by the machine control system and fed back to Infrakit in real time via Leica ConX. “Here, construction progress is monitored, tolerances are checked, and the information is shared with stakeholders,” says Argiriu. As part of the project documentation, the recorded data can be enriched with photo documentation and other information.

The results of the construction phase are then subjected to an as-built check in ProVI. As-built data is compared with the original design in order to identify any deviations. The results are documented and provide comprehensive proof of the accuracy and quality of the project.

Seamlessly integrated software solutions for optimised project management

The synergy of Infrakit, ProVI and Leica Geosystems impressively demonstrates how customers benefit from an end-to-end digital workflow in practice. As Team Lead Construction in Austria, Johann Handl is supporting the Gnant project on behalf of Leica Geosystems and confirms: “The digital workflow is mapped from A to Z on this construction site - from the initial site survey to the final as-built check.”

Customers like Gnant GmbH benefit from providers that enable them to avoid data silos and facilitate end-to-end digital workflows across platforms. “It is our ambition to provide our customers with innovative and future-proof solutions,” says Frank Lohrengel. ‘For this reason, we consciously rely on partnerships with Hexagon companies such as Leica Geosystems and Bricsys in order to adapt our solution to the needs of our joint customers so that they can derive corresponding added value from it.”

Infrakit has also been successfully integrating Leica Geosystems solutions for many years. For Stefan Argiriu, the motivation and initiative of the customers is paramount: ‘Companies like Gnant GmbH help the entire industry move forward, because innovations are already being implemented here today that will probably only be demanded by infrastructure owners in a few years’ time. Gnant shows how it can be done and how it will and must be done in the future.’