Kiwi firm Seequent brings 3D modelling and visualisation to civil engineering and environmental industries

Seequent (formerly ARANZ Geo), a world leader in the development of data visualisation software, has released Leapfrog Works for the civil engineering and environmental industries.

Built on the Leapfrog 3D implicit modelling engine, Leapfrog Works improves understanding, visualisation and communication of subsurface conditions and the interaction with infrastructure.

“A long-time challenge for the industry has been the disparate processes of designing infrastructure and ground engineering, from tender to feasibility to operational phases. Working with industry leaders, we’ve developed a modelling solution that pairs a view of the geology with the engineering design, to better communicate the associated risks in projects to stakeholders,” says Daniel Wallace, general manager of civil and environmental at Seequent.

Working with industry leaders, we’ve developed a modelling solution that pairs a view of the geology with the engineering design, to better communicate the associated risks in projectsDaniel Wallace, Seequent

Leapfrog 3D was first introduced to the mining and minerals industry close to 15 years ago. The 3D geological modelling solutions are now used in other industries to help uncover valuable insights from geological data, and to allow better decision making for earth, environment and energy challenges.

Leapfrog Works allows users to build 3D models from geotechnical data in days, not weeks, in an easy to use workflow.

Models can be rapidly edited and new data can be easily reimported over the project lifecycle.

It allows multiple parties to collaborate and share files from remote locations using standard IT set up. Powerful 3D visualisations can be readily shared to aid stakeholder communication and understanding at each stage of a project.

Civil engineering and environmental industries are already “embracing the power of Leapfrog Works, says Wallace.

He says one of these companies is Mott MacDonald, a global engineering, management and development consultancy, which provided input into the development of Leapfrog Works.

“The communication of geotechnical issues to non-specialists has been a long-standing challenge for geotechnics practitioners, however Leapfrog has generated a step change improvement in our ability to communicate geotechnical issues to a wide range of stakeholders,” says Tony O’Brien, geotechnics global practice leader at Mott MacDonald.

He says Leapfrog provides a broad range of opportunities by improving the understanding of ground risks and opportunities for innovation from available historical and investigation data.

“The software’s 3D geological models allow our project teams to thoroughly interrogate ground data from a variety of sources and field observations,” says O’Brien.

“Since using the software, we have seen substantial reductions in the time needed to produce ground models, with associated cost savings compared to traditional approaches.”

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