Johnson - B2 BIM for Architects and Engineers

            When going into the BIM Handbook for architects and engineers, I was expecting a heavy emphasis on BIM models’ ability to coordinate easily between different building systems.  This application of BIM was actually a very small portion of the reading.  I was especially surprised when the chapter started with discussing different project delivery methods and coordination between owners, architects, engineers, and contractors.  This is an integral part of the construction process, especially with the more recent IPD methods, but not necessarily in the use of BIM for architects and engineers.  This is a much bigger discussion into how BIM can attempt to solve issues at the beginning of the project rather than relying on RFI’s and change orders from the contractor while construction is underway. 

            The chapter then discusses the preliminary 3-D modeling programs, such as SketchUp, Rhino, and BonZai.  These are great tools for architects, but not as useful for the engineers, as they can show quick spatial models, with shapes and materials being defined.  These are more conceptual that can be detailed and improved in the other programs, such as REVIT or ArchiCAD.  Once these concepts are more detailed, they can be put through several different simulations, such as structural, daylighting, energy analysis, and air flow.  These will help understand how the building will act throughout the year and under different conditions.  This will help with understanding the life-cycle of the building and costs during the lifetime of the building.

            A big portion of BIM modeling for architects and engineers focused on the planning stages.  Although BIM is a powerful too, professionals cannot jump right into design.  They must carefully plan out the rooms and where they will be located within the overall building.  This can be planned through Excel spreadsheets, databases, or CAD 2-D block models.  It is very tough for current BIM modeling programs to integrate planning tools that are simple and user friendly.  Besides planning, another setback for BIM is site design.  Although this handbook is from 2013, I believe that there still has not been much improvement for making a user-friendly site designer in mainstream BIM programs.  Since this sets up the whole project, it is important for the architects and engineers to understand how the site will be developed for the smooth transition from excavation to structures.  Without a tool for this, designers could have a hard time picturing what the site will actually look like before their design is able to be carried out.

            Using REVIT throughout coop, I believe one of the biggest advantages of BIM modeling is using a central model to layout all systems in a 3-D perspective.  This version of the handbook may have been written before we really saw the full potential of this feature.  In A/E firms, they will typically have one central model that all disciplines can work in simultaneously.  When the model is reloaded, you can see the saved changes others have made to the building.  This helps coordinate all systems concurrently and cuts down on clashes and issues during the design phase.  With current technology, we can take a 3-D model and “walk” through a model using a VR headset.  This allows you to see into the plenum of a building and see where structure, vents, or pipes will interfere with each other.  It also allows the user to get a better understanding of how the space will make you feel.  Being able to physically look around at a 3-D model can help owners figure out if the design is really what they were picturing when they funded the project.

Sources:

C. M. Eastman, “Chapter 4: BIM for Owners and Facility Managers,” in BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Contractors, 2nd ed., Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2012, pp. 93–147.

Dee Dee Comment:

Dee Dee,

I like your connection to your own experiences.  I have been on the structural side of the central model for my coops, so it was nice to see how the MEP side differed.  I also found it interesting that you used REVIT's built in design features for sizing ducts.  Since the structural design of REVIT is not quite up to speed with other sizing programs, I always had to rely on RAM Structures or other programs when looking at the support loads.  Maybe Autodesk will be able to improve their REVIT structural analysis to allow all engineering disciplines to design all systems directly in the program.

Kerry Comment:

Kerry,

I thought you did a great job summing up the chapter and hit many points in a short post.  I think a lot of people forget that BIM is more than just putting intricate shapes into a program.  It also allows for analyzes and integration between systems.  Also, my chapter did touch on being able to create families or objects to allow for more freedom in design.  I still feel that this is a weakness of 3-D modelling because it will still take liberties when putting families in plan views or elevations.  I found myself putting in lines to show overlaps when everything is in the correct elevations but the program is not properly displaying the plan views.