The required reading was the 3rd chapter of the BIM Handbook. While the handbook can be a little dull to read, it is generally very informative and this chapter was no different. The chapter dealt with interoperability and file formatting of modeling software. Interoperability is the ability to pass data or files between different software types. This is a known issue with modeling software, and one that according to the handbook has been an issue for a significant time. Reading the article reinforced the complexity of trying to create a universal file type, however the list of IFC initiatives shed light on the future possibilities within modeling software. I was at first slightly over whelmed with technical coding and text, I felt the diagrams and schismatics were helpful.
The second article I read, BIM Interoperability and Relational Databases, was from McGraw Hill's continuing construction education website. The article dealt with how Relational Database Management Systems, RDBMS, and BIM will be able to work together through interoperability. Will it went in to great detail about RDBMS, the area that I was most interested in was the cost estimating ability of the databases. The article explains how much of a project's cost estimation is done through simple databases similar to Excel in formatting, and while that is clearly better than doing everything by hand, it has major limitations. Most current estimation requires changes to be entered or cataloged in multiple areas, or complex custom formulas to be created. This "flat file" type can result in large, repetative, and difficult to manage cost estimating spreadsheets that could lead to inaccuracies. RDBMS, however solves many of the limitations and headaches associated with spreadsheet like estimations. In RDBMS, one table can exist for product data, assembly data, and installation data. Each of the entries can be linked to multiple product records, which are then compiled to create total installation costs. Unlike simple spreadsheets, RDBMS allows for accurate relationships between products, assemblies, and installation information - in turn simplifying the estimation process. Through interoperability, RDBMS and BIM modeling software can work hand in hand.
cost estimating is def. an important part of BIM capabiliites. Sometimes, the better the estimate, the more efficient and productive the construction operations can be.
ReplyDeleteThe bi-directionality of the cost estimating database is something that can be an invaluable tool. If one is updated the automatic updating will greatly reduce inconsistencies between the budget and model
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