B2- Chapter 5 "BIM for Architects and Engineers"

Chapter 5 of BIM Handbook starts off with explaining the typical process of completing a project, where things start with the design process followed by an open Bid performed by a general contractor to obtain the lowest possible cost that may provide to complete a job.   

Commonly building projects are traditionally run based on initially defining the architectural system, which involves the following listed below as stated in the chapters as the “traditional design process”:

Later the chapter explains how the traditional process may lack time efficiency leading to more cost which is not in the owner’s interest, such as design changes which can lead other parties involved in the project to make more profit on the project due to orders of change.

The following listed below are the “range of often used technical services”, which are traditionally involved in a project, while most of the listing are supported through BIM:

The advantage of having such technical features within one place allows the use of Integrated Project Delivery “IPD”, which is a designing method used to have all parties required on a project to work together, such as the architect, mechanical engineer, structural engineer, electrical engineer, owner, etc. Gathering all parties involved in a project to work together in the designing process allows lack of miss communication, time efficiency, and a project with higher efficiency for all systems compared to a traditional preformed project.

The following listed below are “Building system layout applications” that can be used to perform analysis and design o several building systems:

From the list above it can be seen that most application may not support some systems, but may be supported by one another through different application, and that is achieved through importing and exporting for purposes of design, simulations and analysis.

The chapter also discusses how many companies have become heavily dependent on BIM except for structural systems, which is progressing at a slower rate of use compared to other building systems. In addition to the requirements of migrating a company’s work activity to use BIM tools requires system configuration that may require not only server update but hardware updates, and training to achieve proficiency of use.

Other updates that come with using BIM tools is change of staff demands that may lead to requiring less amount of people on a project or less number of hours. The table below shows average project hour’s demand change before and after the use of BIM tools.

I believe that Chapter 5 is very rich with information, while the scope of the chapter is way beyond the scope of the discussion. Therefore, I recommend having the chapter read.

Eastman, Charles M. BIM Handbook : A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers and Contractors. vol. 2nd ed, Wiley, 2011. EBSCOhost, ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=364239&site=ehost-live.

Comments:

Abad - B2

After reading post and seeing that there are BIM tools of owners you have made me interested to read section 4.2, since I never thought there are such tools for owners and I thought owners just mainly depend on a manger they have hired or something. It’s interesting how this software not only show project related design and engineering related data, but also market related features.

Thomas Sisson - Blog Post 2 - Interoperability

Interoperability has been well explained, and I have to agree with sherry the interactions of all parties of a project has been a theme and emphasize throughout the chapters, which emphasis how greatly interoperability will emphasize the future of Integrated Design Projects. However, I have to disagree with you about having these programs take thousands of engineering jobs, because these programs can have errors and specialized engineers will be required to identify those errors based on the results of simulations of a model, and of course for many other reasons they won’t take engineer jobs.

BIM for Contractors

Unfortunately, parties involved in a project as you mentioned such as general contracts abuse the idea of change of orders just to make more profit out of a project, and unfortunately many companies are still not proficient and lack understanding the Capability’s of BIM tools, which leading me to believe an IPD would be the best case scenario to adopt as a traditional process for projects.

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.

Dee Dee Strohl - Blog 2

BIM Handbook Chapter 5: BIM for Architects and Engineers

The chapter discusses the strengths and abilities of BIM software for architects and engineers. As an engineering student I have gotten a lot of exposure to this technology. I began using BIM software back in high school. I learned to use Autodesk inventor and SolidWorks, but mostly used Revit and AutoCAD for projects. From that experience and the usage of these technologies in classes and on co-op, I’ve learned a lot about the features and advantages of using this technology. I’ve seen firsthand that the software allows for better integration and collaboration of all disciplines working on a project. It allows for better communication between fields and overall can be used to create a better design. The software also breaks the barrier between the design and construction phases which can be a major source of inefficiency.

Because of the wide variety of BIM technology, the services they can offer range from a quick 3D sketch as a conceptual design tool (something like SketchUp) to mapping energy usage (eQuest and the like) to creating a full working model of a building (like Revit). BIM can be used to understand both the design and the performance of a building. It can run simulations for different location and design conditions and map energy usage, lighting, and other sustainability aspects.

For my second co-op, I worked at an MEP Engineering firm. One of the large projects I worked on used the central model function of Revit. Architects, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineers each had a model of the building that could be altered and resynced with to the central model. This updated model would then show in the other models. With this, several people could be working in the model at the same time which improved efficiency and the design process. The architects changed the wall layouts several times, but with this system changes could be seen in real time and we could adjust our model based on that. It was also easier on the construction side to use BIM because the contractors could see the model, and creating actual construction documents and plans was easy in the software.

I was working on mechanical systems and used the built-in features of Revit for that discipline. For example, if you knew the airflow rate and the static pressure of a duct, the program can size it for you. It can automatically put in size transitions as well. It made it simple to map where equipment was going to be placed and whether it worked with respect to the other discipline’s work.

Besides these aspects, the chapter also talks about the ability to create objects and family libraries. You can make generic objects or partially specified that can be modified to fit the specific need. Pretty much anything used in the design of a building in Revit is a family—from wall type to room tags. There are also public sites that allow people to share different libraries they’ve created. Overall, the chapter connects perfectly to my experiences with BIM in both academic and work projects. 

Source: C. M. Eastman, “Chapter 5: BIM for Architects and Engineers,” in BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Designers, Engineers, and Contractors, 2nd ed., Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2012, pp. 193-261.

COMMENTS:

Kerry Milligan:

I liked that the chapter went down to the basics of the software. I understand the BIM technology well, but reading about it in a more general sense gives me a better idea of how powerful of a tool it really is. I never really thought of it as the linking of objects together and the system automatically adjusting as things change. The overview of BIM as a tool and parametric modeling as whole gives me a more well-rounded understand of the tool I use almost daily.

Jordan Shuster:

I never really considered the fact that BIM could help with the language barrier seen between clients and designers as well as on construction sites. It makes sense that seeing a model and having a visual rather than a text document is better understood by all involved. I agree that BIM makes it easier in general for different groups of people (i.e. different engineers and architects) to understand and convey their ideas. I found it interesting to see yet another aspect of the design process that is improved with this software. 

Thomas Sisson:

I’ve seen firsthand interoperability work well and terribly for projects. Being able to bring a model from AutoCAD to Revit is incredibly easy because both are Autodesk products. Like you said, this makes the design process move more quickly and smoothly, which is an advantage in respect to deadlines and budgets. I’ve also seen the gap in models when two software do not have an easy transition, which is frustrating not only for the designer, but the drawbacks affect the client as well. With the direction technology is going, I could see companies like Autodesk begin to take over the marketplace because they do have so many programs that have interoperability. 

DiGiovanni - Term Project Idea

One idea I had for a term project would be to research the use of 3D laser scanning for different purposes in the industry, such as updating BIM Models and to design future buildings. On my part time job, we have currently contracted a team to scan areas of our facility, this is to help update the area model and also to plan future construction.

Lovett, Week 2-2 Impacts of

In terms of design work, my group has recently stated that there is currently no capacity for this in the future; if the majority of the architects that lead the field are considered, many pull ideas from a multitude of experiences and memory of other's work.  This is essentially a randomization of current and past designs being implemented in its own form.  The process of this is very similar to pulling from a database and randomizing variables, leading me to believe it's not that far-fetched of a concept to have AI design structures in the future.  The construction side of things will undoubtedly be lead by robotics when the aforementioned time comes in order to meet the unique and seemingly unrealistic demands of physical nature produced by AI design.

Odorizzi: Current Thoughts on Term Project

This is going to be a very broad post about my current thoughts on a project topic. I am hovering between three of the large topics: BIM, A.I. and sensors.

The case for BIM: I am familiar with Revit, and it is seemingly the most practical and relevant topic because I will use Revit in industry. Hence - it may be good to build a deeper understanding of manipulating a Revit model. For example, it would be nice to build from scratch a Revit model that contains a complete architectural, structural, and HVAC model (like it is done in the real world). But I’ve never done HVAC in Revit before - so that would be a lot to chew.

The case for A.I.: I am very interested neural networks and how they work… and I’m getting acquainted with Bixby, but this does not have the same degree of applicability as the others.

The case for sensors: I think it would be interesting to dive into some of the surveying equipment that I have used out in the field. The first tools that come to mind are investigating exactly how a laser tape works, or there are drill bits that will measure the resistance when drilled into wood to deem whether the wood is rotted or not. It would be interesting to learn how these work and how their accuracy is established.

Current Project Idea

Dung T. - Project Idea

I am thinking about creating a Revit model from a simple pre-existing residential house. It would include primary system of the building: architectural, structural, and mechanical system. Also, if time is allowed, a structural analysis and/or an energy efficiency analysis should be evaluated. I am looking forward to Glass House (built in 1949) of Phillip Johnson, but its mechanical system might not be really detailed on this set of drawing below. Some disadvantages are: this is my first touch to Revit program, and none of my Co-Op would touch with mechanical system, but I really love to learn these aspects of Revit through this project to benefit my other classes, Senior Design, and future career.

Source:

<http://theglasshouse.org/learn/architecturaldrawings/>
<https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jgedorzkwajrvrf/AACE6OONOzrwCgooPlCJbWcta?dl=0>

Term Project - Research

A research paper about the history of use of AI in the medical/ surgical world.

Johnson - Team Project

I am thinking about looking at the implications of new technologies on prefabrication vs traditional construction.  I will look at how most of the new robotics and AI in today are working and what advancements people are looking to make which will influence future construction.

Topic Idea

I am looking to do something with BIM to further my knowledge in this area and possibly how this is advancing the construction industry. Thinking about looking at my own house and how Revit could have changed the design, made it more efficient, or how a program like this could allow the client, before they see it in the building, to make crucial decisions on placement and colors and more.

Thomas Sisson Term Project

My area of interest revolves around my senior design of a martian colony.

I would like to explore the possibility of AI assisted construction and staging in order to expedite the process of creating a habitable space on Mars.

Possible Topic

Thinking about looking into green building versus an intelligent building

Lauren Kujawa Project Idea

I plan on researching the difference between intelligent and green buildings.  I plan on working with Tyler Wicker on this project. 

Group C - Building Form Implications

Robotics broaden the limit of building shapes we could build. They also provide more possibilities when it comes to precision construction. However, the bulk or weight of a robot could provide limitations when it comes to fitting in small spaces or balancing on higher, more delicate floors.

AI programs could design new building shapes and forms that humans possibly couldn't even imagine. For example, AI and robots might create a perfectly spherical building, which is incredibly difficult by current standards. AI could also provide sensors that can respond to human reactions to things like sunlight to change the building form to negate the sunlight, or to brace for natural disasters by providing extra reinforcement during an earthquake or close shutters during a hurricane.

Group D - AI and Robots in the Construction Sequence

AI and robotic advancements have major implications on the construction field.  With new technologies, robots have been able to completely build a new skyscraper in 15 days.  This will improve the construction process in terms of speed and safety, but will take away several jobs from laborers and managers.  With robots constructing buildings there is less freedom for changes later in the project.  If the owner wants to make design changes later in the project, it may be more difficult to perform because the computer programming would have to be shut down and changed.  While it will be difficult to allow complete control of construction to robotics, it can be implemented and ease the constructor during the process.

Manufacturing + Safety (Group A)

AI + Robotics + Manufacturing Implications in Safety

Robotics in manufacturing inherently increases the safety of the processes by removing humans from dangerous activities. Related to construction manufacturing, evaluating potentially or known to be dangerous buildings can be performed by robots instead of humans.

We also think AI is relevant to these topics. For example, AI could be trained to analyze live video feeds to find and alert for safety hazards. AI can also more efficiently automate the manufacturing process to result in more safe processes than what a human could come up with.

However, there is still the idea of human safety and security. If robotics and AI become so advanced that humans become obsolete, there is a serious threat to human life safety.

Group E Post - Education

With the new technologies that available to workers, universities can begin to teach students the coding process that goes into making machines rather than teaching just civil or architectural engineering and computer science.  The education would be much more in depth on AI and robotics, but a student would still need the CIVE or AE background in order to understand the building process. Project based instruction would become more practical: a design could be made and implemented and tested in a laboratory setting.

Dung T. :Implication of A.I. and robotics for safety

A.I. and Robotics directly interacts with human, laws and regulations should be established to protect human from safety issues. For instance, autonomous car users should have knowledge on programming to control their car's artificial intelligence through commands. Such that, it can function as a normal car driver that includes communicating with other drivers through sensor, and regulating the traffic law. Also, they should have knowledge on internet security, which prevents their autonomous cars being hacked by hackers. In fact, it would severely impact the users if these hackers could fully access to the control. A good example is that autonomous car users would have to deal with legal issues if their cars were used to commit a crime. 

AI & Safety

Implications of AI in relation to safety within our world and its future:

Although I believe that AI is capable of being a very useful source in helping us accomplish strenuous or time consuming tasks faster, more efficiently and more accurately, it also poses a possible threat to us as humans. Since our brains are only capable of containing so much information over a lifetime, we have a cap on how much we can accomplish. How I see AI is a type of creation that not only will outlive a human lifetime but can learn faster, better and more in shorter periods of time while retaining the ability to also live forever as well. I am worried that if we make them too efficient, they will learn how inefficient a human might be in comparison, thus posing a threat to us as humans in general just like the initial video we witnessed in class today.

Along with that, I am worried that some of the best minds in the world are also worried about how AI could alter our future. When some of the most intelligent people in existence fear something, it is probably a smart assumption to at least partially agree with their mindset. Even though there are a lot of possible ways that AI could improve our existence and future existence, it could also pose a real threat to our overall safety if it becomes significantly more intelligent than us. Maybe our generation wouldn't have to face that problem but a generation in the immediate future would have to so we can't be selfish in what we create now. Perhaps a way to prevent unsafe outcomes would be to provide some sort of cap on the learning abilities of the more advanced AI technologies created. But then another question would be, who gets to draw that line?

Week 2 - Construction Sequence AI

Construction Sequence AI is the order of tasks to achieve quality with time efficiency, while reducing labor costs.