Open Access

ARTICLE

BIM-Based Visualization System for Settlement Warning in Multi-Purpose Utility Tunnels (MUTs)

Ping Wu¹, Jie Zou², Wangxin Li^1,*, Yidong Xu¹

1 School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, NingboTech University, Ningbo, 315100, China
2 School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China

* Corresponding Author: Wangxin Li. Email:

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring 2026, 20(1), . https://doi.org/10.32604/sdhm.2025.070873

Received 26 July 2025; Accepted 15 September 2025; Issue published 08 January 2026

Abstract

The existing 2D settlement monitoring systems for utility tunnels are heavily reliant on manual interpretation of deformation data and empirical prediction models. Consequently, early anomalies (e.g., minor cracks) are often misjudged, and warnings lag by about 24 h without automated spatial localization. This study establishes a technical framework for requirements analysis, architectural design, and data-integration protocols. Revit parametric modelling is used to build a 3D tunnel model with structural elements, pipelines and 18 monitoring points (for displacement and joint width). Custom Revit API code integrated real-time sensor data into the BIM platform via an automated pipeline. The system achieved a spatial accuracy of ±1 mm in locating deformation hotspots. Notifications are triggered within 10 s of anomaly detection, and the system renders 3D risk propagation paths in real-time. Real-time 3D visualization of risk propagation paths is also facilitated. The efficacy of the solution was validated in a Ningbo utility tunnel project, where it was demonstrated that it eliminates human-dependent judgment errors and reduces warning latency by 99.9% compared to conventional methods. The BIM-IoT integrated approach, which enables millimetre-level precision in risk identification and near-instantaneous response, establishes a new paradigm for intelligent infrastructure safety management.

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Keywords

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