BIM and Data Echange for Prestress Concrete Application

Assigned Reading:

            BIM is basically a way to model a building based on its actual function and current status rather than a fixed set of dimensions and functional properties that are previously determined and cannot be changed. BIM models can be altered as design process goes on and also after construction in order to improve building functionality. It is interesting that the original idea of BIM was based on applications for entertainment such as movies and video games in addition to design. The development of 3D modeling then began being used in every engineering area. It is a shame that building engineering did not make the leap to 3D design fully like other disciplines did early on, because now they are much further ahead than our field, and it seems that we have taken years to learn 2D software which will become irrelevant once the switch to 3D modeling takes over the industry for good. The upside is that we’re making the leap to 3D modeling when the technology is more advanced, so it will be an easier and faster transition. BIM is a great tool for meeting building codes because it can check instantly if a design meets them. It is clear that the use of families in BIM prevents a number of drafting issues that would arise using AutoCAD to design a building. It seems like developments could be designed by using a base model already available online and altering it slightly for each house to give each home a little bit of character. I think it’s a good thing that BIM is only for standard practice, and expert analysis and experience of older engineers are still needed to improve BIM designs before they are complete. BIM is certainly going to create beautiful changes in the limits of the architectural field. BIM can not only model a 3D structure but also perform analysis on that structure to avoid failures. BIM is also great for preventing construction issues such as spacing of different building systems. Having engineers design BIM designs is important because properties of materials within systems still need to be entered manually, which requires background knowledge in the given system area. It is interesting to think that when these properties are eventually pre-programmed into BIM, a designer with no engineering knowledge could actually put together a functioning building model. Details, or sections containing specific component information, are still used in addition to 3D section cuts of a model. In conclusion, BIM is a great tool for building design, but must be combined with 2D drawings to build a complete design for construction.

Additional Article Summary and Comparison:

The second article I read was "Benchmark Tests for BIM Data Exchanges of Precast Concrete". It focuses on how BIM tools need to come to a specific way to transfer data from different programs so that data transfers with the same properties and functioning information. This article was specifically about transferring precast concrete data. It basically says that for example: BIM files made in Revit have trouble transferring information to ArchiCAD, etc. The points made are that a design file must be transferred to construction file which uses a different BIM program without losing information along the way. This is a strong reason that the first article says we cannot simply go straight to BIM, but we must use both BIM and 2D detailed drawings to achieve an understandable drawing set for construction. Precast concrete is part of the construction phase, but the BIM designs of the precast concrete from the engineering phase do not translate unless the shapes of the structure are very simple. Building parts in extreme cases were showing up both with the wrong dimensions and in the wrong locations after transfer of data between programs. This presents problems like redundant work and higher construction time and cost. This article describes in severe detail the conclusion from the assigned article that BIM does not rule completely in building engineering because of so many intricate details in building component connections that need to be drawn in 2D and shown visually in order to be done correctly.