Digital Shield: Bentley Systems’ Tech Safeguards 300,000 in Northwest China Flood Initiative

• Proeksa Meas
• 6 April 2026
• Construction Focus
• 1228 Views

Chinese firm CSCEC AECOM has successfully deployed advanced digital tools from Bentley Systems to create a smart drainage network capable of protecting over 300,000 residents and nearly half a billion yuan in urban investments in Jinchuan District.

The core of the project’s success lies in a connected data environment that moved away from manual surveying to achieve a 40% increase in design efficiency and a 90% reduction in errors.

Several of Bentley’s software have been utilized, including MicroStation, OpenFlows Sewer, OpenRoads Designer, and Bentley LumenRT.

MicroSation acted as the foundation, integrating drone-captured reality models with BIM data to create a precise 3D map of the 15 sq km area. OpenFlows Sewer performed hydrodynamic simulations to “stress test” the city against once-in-30-year storm events, identifying potential overflows before they happened.

In the meantime, OpenRoads Designer coordinated the complex relationship between new road layouts and existing terrain to ensure optimal water runoff. Besides, Bentley LumenRT created immersive 3D visualizations, allowing stakeholders to “fly through” the digital flood models to verify performance.

The transition to a digital-first workflow provided more than just safety. The team minimized physical rework and optimized excavation, resulting in an estimated 25% increase in Return on Investment (ROI).

Furthermore, precise construction planning reduced earthwork by 30%, effectively cutting 500 tons of carbon emissions and preserving 200 hectares of natural habitat that might have otherwise been disturbed by traditional construction methods.

• Bentley
• MicroStation
• OpenFlows
• Bentley Systems
• OpenRoads Designer