The PETRA IV project involves the refurbishment of the 2.3 km PETRA accelerator to accommodate almost 40 beamlines. It also includes the conversion and construction of numerous buildings, including a large experimental hall, with first light planned for 2032. To support planning and design with a model-based approach, a comprehensive, integrated CAD model has been set up. The model comprises civil infrastructure, the accelerator, beamlines, and infrastructure systems. Serving as a single source of truth, it supports a diverse project team, including civil and mechanical engineers, beamline scientists, and other stakeholders, each with different technical backgrounds and needs. The fully integrated CAD model is tied to systems engineering processes like requirements management, and supports collaboration across disciplines. Multiple levels of abstraction, a structured hierarchy, and explicit modelling of interfaces help bridge communication gaps. They also reduce redundant work and minimize design errors, all critical for efficient design in collaboration.
Diercks et al. (2026) studied this question.