Over recent years we have all seen our pictures, music and other prized documents migrate to the cloud, which has presented a new kind of convenience and accessibility.

The same is true in the construction industry, where some projects have seen vital documents, plans and information become stored on a shared cloud. This increases the ways that these documents can be accessed and also ensures that everyone is working from the same update, rather than sifting through various downloaded versions that might not tally with what other people on the project are referencing.

In this episode, former NCE editor Claire Smith and NCE assistant news editor Rob Hakimian are joined by AtkinsRéalis chief geotechnical engineer Simon Miles and AtkinsRéalis senior 3D geological modeller and spatial data specialist Stephanie Boffey-Rawlings to discuss the adoption of cloud-based data management in the ground engineering sector specifically.

Claire starts the podcast with some interesting figures about uptake of the cloud among geoprofessionals, collected from a recent survey carried out by subsurface software firm Seequent. These show that the desire for the transition to the cloud is there, but there are perceived barriers.

We then move on to our discussion with Stephanie and Simon, who start by giving an overview of how cloud-based data management is used on civil engineering projects and the benefits it brings such as a single source of truth and greater collaborative working. They also discuss their own experience with overcoming the barriers to its implementation, but the ultimate benefits it has brought in comparison to traditional data management.

Stephanie and Simon later discuss specific projects, such as the M25, and how it augments every stage of a scheme from design through to delivery. They discuss the lessons learned and how receptive people have been to the change.

Finally, we look into the future to discuss where cloud-based data management could guide the future of civil engineering.

The Engineer’s Collective is powered by Seequent, the subsurface software specialists.

Around the world, teams are using PLAXIS, OpenGround, Leapfrog Works, and GeoStudio to design, build and operate safe, sustainable, and long-lasting infrastructure, from roads to rail, bridges to tunnels, and buildings, dams and levees.

Find out more at seequent.com/civil.